Adolescence and Transition

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This is a guide for transitioning from pediatric to adult care for children and youths with special health care needs. To access the materials linked to this chart, download the Transition Flowchart in PDF form or scroll down to the links below.

AGES 12-14

Develop knowledge of patient's health care needs (know medical condition, name of medication and manage medical tasks)

• Parents -Teaching your children with chronic conditions
• Patients -Managing Medication, Understanding your disability
• Providers –Resources for clinicians/pediatric to adult care transition initiative, Education training for health care professionals

Explore work and volunteer opportunities

• Parents -Talking about Volunteering, Help your kid find volunteer opportunities
• Patients -Volunteer Opportunities
• Providers –Workbook 12-14

Answer questions during your health care visit and communicating with your provider

• Parents-Make the most out of your child's visit to the doctors
• Patients-Talking With your Doctor and Other Health Care Providers
• Providers-Health Literacy, Communication, and Self-Advocacy Instruction for Individuals with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities

AGES 15-17

Making Medical Appointments and getting prescriptions refilled

• Parents-Scheduling medical appointments
• Patients-Make your own appointments, How to fill a prescription
• Providers-Scheduling medical appointment

Talk to medical providers during visits about age appropriate information regarding physical, emotional and sexual development

• Parents-Talking to your children about puberty
• Patients-Effective communication with health care providers, Adolescent Health Topics
• Providers-Talking to teenagers during visits

Think and talk about transition from pediatric to adult heath care providers

• Parents-Understanding the healthcare system, Transition Timeline
• Patients-Since you are not a kid anymore
• Providers-Helping Patients Transfer and Health Care Transition

Keep a health record, including all medical paperwork and confidentiality

• Parents-My Medical has created an app that can help keep track of test results, store medical histories and monitor your health
• Patients-My medical records
• Providers -Protecting Confidential Health Services for Adolescents & Young Adults: Strategies and Considerations for Health Plans (NIHCM Foundation, May 2011)

Youth spending the majority of health care visit alone with the doctor

• Parents-Speaking up at doctor's office
• Patients-How can I get alone time with my doctor during appointments
• Providers-Speaking up at the doctor’s office

PRIOR TO 18TH BIRTHDAY

Reapply for Medicaid benefits or private health insurance

• Parents-Medicaid and health insurance FAQ
• Patients-Medicaid,Private Health Insurance
• Providers-Help your patients enroll in health insurance

Reapply for SSI Benefits

• Parents-What You Should Know Before You Apply for SSI Disability Benefits for a Child,Disability starter kits child factsheet for parents
• Patients-Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Providers-Social Security Answers for Doctors & Other Health Professionals

Make decisions about power of Attorney or other Guardianship option

• Parents-Age of Majority- Parents Guide, Arizona Guardianship and Conservatorship
• Patients-Five Wishes, Becoming an Adult: Legal and Financial Planning, Arizona State Bar
• Providers-Arizona Disability Law

AGES 18-21

Transfer medical care from pediatric providers to adult providers

• Parents-Understanding the healthcare system, Transition Timeline,  Journey to Adulthood: A Transition Travel Guide
• Patients-Transition to adult care
• Providers-Transition From Pediatric to Adult Care: Internists’ Perspectives, Care Transfer

Contact vocational rehabilitation o explore vocational assistance

• Parents-Community employment resources
• Patients-Vocational Training
• Providers-What to know about work-based learning experiences for students and youths with disabilities

Explore living arrangements, education, and employment opportunities

• Parents-FYI Transition (from FDDC/USF; web-based learning on transition planning, career and post-secondary education planning, job development and support, health, and independent living)
• Patients-Living arrangements, Independent living
• Providers-Patient Skill Development

Transfer medication to local pharmacy (If moving or going away to school)

• Parents-Managing medications
• Patients-Finding the right pharmacy
• Providers-Helping patients keep in charge of medication

If going to college, learn about health care coverage and health services provided by campus         

• Parents-The special education process explained
• Patients- Heading for College with Special Health Care Needs; Student Preparation for a Successful Transition, Advocating for Yourself in School
• Providers-Transition Planning for Students with Chronic Health Conditions, Essential Role of the School Nurse