The focus of healthcare transition is to help your teenager to develop the
skills needed to take the lead, as much as possible, in his or her own health
care. These skills include communicating effectively with health care and other
care providers; actively participating in medical decision making; being responsible
for self-care; and self-advocacy to get the services and supports they need
and deserve. Through this process, teens and young adults will develop a sense
of control and responsibility for their own health care.
Check this short list of highly recommended web sites.
American Academy of Pediatrics
- Medical Home
The goal of the program is to ensure that children and youth with special
needs have a medical home where health care services are accessible, family-centered,
continuous, comprehensive, coordinated, compassionate, and culturally-competent.
American Academy
of Pediatrics - Transition
The physician's role throughout the transition process is as a team leader.
While he or she cannot be the sole player throughout transitioning YSHCN,
the physician can be a teacher to assist the youth and family in navigating
the systems of care.
Health Care
Transitions at the Institute for Child Health Policy, University of
Florida
The mission of the Health Care Transition Initiative at the University of
Florida is to increase awareness of, gain knowledge about, and promote cooperative
efforts to improve the process transitioning from child-centered (pediatric)
to adult oriented health care. Our vision is to improve the transition process
for all adolescents and young adults, although our current efforts focus
on those with disabilities and special health care needs.
Healthy and Ready to Work
Health Impacts All Aspects of Life. Success in the classroom, within the
community, and on the job requires that young people with special health
care needs stay healthy. To stay healthy, young people need an understanding
of their health and to participate in their health care decisions. We provide
information and connections to health and transition expertise nationwide
– from those in the know, doing the work and living it!
Florida Developmental Disabilities Council
We encourage and advocate opportunities for persons with developmental disabilities
and their families, to enhance their quality of life within their communities.
We support innovative initiatives that demonstrate new approaches to enhance
the independence, productivity, inclusion and self-determination of individuals
with developmental disabilities in all facets of community life.
KidsHealth.ORG
(for Parents)
KidsHealth is the largest and most visited site on the Web providing doctor-approved
health information about children from before birth through adolescence.
Created by The Nemours Foundation's Center for Children's Health Media,
the award-winning KidsHealth provides families with accurate, up-to-date,
and jargon-free health information they can use.
Palo Alto Medical
Foundation
General health information written especially for parents of teens. Here
you will find information to help you in talking to your teen about questions
and issues, dealing with problems, and making decisions.
Orientation
