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Adolescent and Young Adult

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Moving Teens from Pediatric Care to Adult Care: A Smooth Transition for Bone Marrow Failure Patients

During childhood, parents usually help manage their child’s medical needs. But as teens with bone marrow failure and other chronic diseases near legal maturity (in most state at age 18), they often “age out of pediatrics.”  The process of moving from pediatric care to adult care has many different layers. It involves not only switching health care providers but possibly even changing health care centers.

By the time they become young adults, pediatric patients should have learned how to manage their own health care. They should now begin to take complete control of their own care and work with their families to assume that responsibility as a young adult with a bone marrow failure disease. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, a well-timed transition from child to adult oriented health care is specific to each person. Ideally that transition occurs between the ages of 18 and 21 years. But preparing for that transition should begin much earlier. Some hospitals start the transition process in the early teen years. Talk to your child’s doctor about what steps you can take to encourage a smooth move between pediatric and adult care that empowers your teen to take charge of his/her health care needs. 

Is your son/daughter ready to take on the responsibility for their own health? Download the AA&MDSIF Transitions—Changing Roles for Families and Youth check lists. This check-list identifies key tasks that young adults should be able to do as they make the transition out of pediatric health care. How comfortable are you as a parent with giving your child this responsibility? Is your teen ready to manage his/her transition to adult care? Checklists are in English and Spanish. 

Key Points for Parents to Help Transitioning Teens: 

  • Encourage your teen to understand his/her diagnosis and treatment options
  • Provide your teen with skills and support to manage his/her condition and adhere to treatment requirements 
  • Encourage your teen to communicate effectively with their providers 
  • Understand your teen’s unique needs and abilities and put strategies in place to promote self-care early on
  • Empower and prepare your young adult to manage his/her own care, live independently, and seek the resources they need for successful transition
  • Teach your teen to advocate for his/her self, navigate adult health care systems, and help him/ her become confident pursuing their adult life goals

Many parents could use some help in the transition process too! Check with your child’s health care team to see if they have resources to help you.

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