Adolescent Medicine

For some teens and families, puberty can be a difficult transition.

At Northside Pediatrics, we are fully prepared and knowledgeable to help you and your teen navigate these years. In addition to our specialized approach to teen well visits, we also routinely discuss and manage birth control (oral contraceptive pills) and acne treatment.

During the teen years, kids transition from parents taking care of them to taking care of themselves. With this in mind, beginning at 13 years old, teens will be given the opportunity to meet with their provider without their parents present in the room. We believe these semi-independent visits teach our teen patients to be responsible for their health and be active participants in the well visit. We also know some topics are hard to talk about with mom or dad in the room. We want to provide a safe and comfortable environment for open and honest discussions, so we can provide the best care at each visit.

Don’t worry parents – we still want to communicate with you too! Providers will check in with parents before and after each teen visit to address parental concerns, review growth and discuss next steps in caring for your teen.

The Teenage Visit

Teenagers undergo countless physical and emotional changes during puberty, all magnified through the microcosm of high school. It’s no surprise that teens are at higher risk for depression, drug and alcohol use, and sexual health issues. Recent studies show 1 in 5 teens suffer from depressive symptoms annually, and 1 in 3 of 15 year olds drank alcohol in the last year. Parents are frequently surprised when screening identifies their teen is depressed, anxious or risk-taking. Oftentimes, there are no outward clues to alert parents of these potential issues. Other topics for discussion may include:

 

• Social determinants of health (school performance, coping with stress, family connectedness)
• Physical growth and development (body image, healthy eating, physical activity, sleep)
• Emotional well-being (mood regulation, mental health, sexuality)
• Risk reduction (pregnancy, substance use, acoustic trauma)
• Safety (seat belt and helmet use, sun protection, substance use)

The providers at Northside Pediatrics will also use this growing relationship with your teenager to provide guidance on how to take responsibility for good health by making the right choices. We have found our approach to be highly effective and an important step in keeping your teenager both well informed and safe. We look forward to navigating these years together. We see patients until their 22nd birthday.