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Pediatrician for Teens
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Pediatrician for Teens
Whether your child is a tween or teen, they still need a doctor to manage their care on a regular basis and ensure that they are healthy. Dr. Suhad Yaldo and her team see adolescents daily at Wellness Pediatrics in Birmingham, MI, helping them and their parents navigate this stage of development.
Is My Teenager Too Old for a Pediatrician?
Pediatricians are trained to treat tweens, teens, and adolescents. Some teenagers may consider themselves too old to be going to a pediatrician for teens when they’re surrounded by little kids in the waiting room, but they’re in the right place.
Ideally, this is the doctor who has known your child since they were born. Because your pediatrician for teens only sees your child once a year, she is well-equipped to recognize significant changes in their demeanor, personality, and overall well-being before they even undergo their wellness exam.
Health Examinations for Teens
At annual wellness visits, your tween or teen can expect the following:
- Physical exam: It is important to chart a teen’s growth and development through their physical exam. Your pediatrician will also screen for signs of illness or abnormalities, check vitals, and conduct a full-body physical. Sports physicals are also available.
- Vaccinations: Immunizations are given as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics. During the tween and teen years, multiple doses of the HPV and meningitis vaccinations are given. Flu and COVID vaccines are recommended annually.
- Developmental review: There are still milestones to hit in the teen years, including puberty and emotional maturity. Your pediatrician will observe and engage with your teen and parents to evaluate their health in this area.
Pediatrician for Teens Treats Adolescent Concerns
Many teen health matters require a delicate, practiced hand to uncover, navigate, diagnose, and treat. The right pediatrician understands how to communicate with teens regarding:
- Puberty: Teens have questions and concerns about their changing bodies, and sometimes they don’t want to ask their parents. It helps to know they have a pediatrician for teens to rely on and get reassurance regarding what’s normal for them and their development.
- Eating disorders: Your pediatrician is attuned to changes in a child’s development and will notice signs of a potential eating disorder. Discussion with the teen and their parent about eating habits, behaviors, and stress will inform this diagnosis and recommendations.
- Screen time: Children are growing up in a screen-infused world and your pediatrician can discuss the pros and cons of screen time with your teen and guide them to make smart choices about how often and in what ways they interact with the digital world.
Mental Health Evaluations for Teens and Adolescents
A teen’s mental health is incredibly important and a critical part of their well-being. Adolescents are going through physical, mental, and emotional changes all at the same time, while being expected to manage school, friendships, family, and extracurriculars. Though adolescents may not be inclined to readily share their feelings, concerns, and worries with their parents, their trusted pediatrician is often an ideal impartial and trusted resource.
Your pediatrician for teens will assess your teenager’s mental wellness through conversation and questions and look for any signs of depression, anxiety, behavioral problems, or other mental health distress that may require treatment by a specialist. This is a good thing to have noticed and addressed as soon as possible so your teen can enjoy a rich, happy life.
Find a Pediatrician for Teens Near Me in Birmingham, MI
It isn’t easy to parent teens, but it is a privilege, and Dr. Yaldo and her team at Wellness Pediatrics in Birmingham, MI, are honored to be part of the support system that helps parents guide their beloved adolescents through the world and into adulthood.
If you’re a potential new patient, we look forward to stepping in, learning about your teen, and being with them through their next stages of growth. Contact us today to schedule an appointment or learn more about us.