ADOLESCENCE: 18 - 21 Year Visits

Getting Ready for this Visit

Help your teen be a partner in her health. Ask him to write down any questions and news to share, like career plans, or moving away from home. Young adults will speak with the health care provider alone and may discuss health care transition.

Young Adults with special needs: You may want to set up a health care proxy so you can continue to help manage health care needs, if needed. If your young adult cannot manage his health or make decisions, you may need to discuss guardianship.

At this age, your young adult may:

• Show self-confidence and cope with stress constructively
• Take increasing responsibility and plan for the future
• Take part in community life
• Engage in health and wellness activities
• Manage his own health issues
• Develop caring relationships with family, friends, and other adults

What's Important for this Visit

Your young adult's concerns and questions are the #1 priority. The health care provider may also discuss:

• Physical Growth and Development: Physical, oral health; body image; healthy eating, physical activity; managing special health needs, secondary conditions

• Social and Academic Competence: Your young adult's relationships with family, friends, community; future plans for education, work, military, etc.

• Emotional Well-Being: Moods; coping with stress; concerns about mental health; how your young adult feels about his or her changing body and sexuality

• Risky Behaviors: Smoking, drug, alcohol use; sexual activity, sexually transmitted infections, and birth control

• Safety: Use of safety helmets, mouth guards, seatbelts, and other driving habits; any concerns about interpersonal violence, bullying, dating violence, or stalking

The 18 - 21 Year Visits: What To Expect

Your health care provider will do a physical exam, using a drape for privacy and check height, weight, Body Mass Index (BMI), and blood pressure; observe skin and spine. May examine genitals, breast development. Carry out screening tests: vision, cholesterol, others as indicated.

• Immunizations: See chart for any needed at this age.