Advice: 18+ years

Adult checkpoints

Are you comfortable with these common life skills?
Talking to adults – teachers, healthcare providers, bosses
Managing assignments, deadlines
Handling interpersonal problems
Coping with ups and downs
Contributing to the running of a household
Finding your way around – campus, your hometown
Scheduling doctor visits
Understanding health and car insurance
Earning and managing money

Sleep

Young adults need about 8-9 hours of sleep. Sleep deprivation affects mood, behavior, cognitive ability, academic performance, and driving. Though there are many obstacles to a good night’s sleep, we recommend that you:

Maintain a regular sleep schedule
Avoid oversleeping on weekends
Take early afternoon naps of about 15-20 min
Turn off the technology around bedtime
Avoid caffeine, smoking, alcohol, and drugs

What to expect at your 18+ year visit

Check-up: Your provider will complete a comprehensive history and physical exam, review growth curves, answer any questions, and provide age appropriate guidance. Parents are welcome with our adult patient’s permission!

Vaccines:

Catch-up vaccines: Gardasil (HPV), Bexsero (Meningitis B) vaccine may administered if not already completed
Tdap – Boosters are given every 10-years, most patients will be due for a booster at their 20 or 21 year old visit

Labs:

Metabolic screening labs may be performed at provider discretion

Screening Questionnaires:

PHQ-9 and GAD-7 – These are brief depression and anxiety screening questionnaire, respectively. These are recommended at all well-visits for children 12 and up.

Mental and Physical Health

In addition to at least one hour of physical activity per day, we recommend a daily vitamin with Vitamin D (600IU) and Calcium (1300mg). If you’re having trouble eating right and exercising frequently, Potomac Pediatrics has a health coach on staff to help you develop healthy lifelong habits. For more info, go to our website.

Your mental health is just as important as your physical health! If you’re feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or sad all the time, talk to your doctor. We can provide advice and are closely partnered with mental health professionals to help you learn coping strategies.

Social Media

Never do or say anything you don’t mind the whole school knowing. If you’re not ready for the person you’re texting about to find out what you’re saying, then don’t do it. Never respond to messages that hurt your feelings or make you feel uncomfortable. On the flip side, never send mean messages or risqué pictures online. All it takes is one person to screenshot.

Safety

ALWAYS… insist that seat belts be used by everyone in the car
ALWAYS… support your friends who choose not to have sex or use drugs and alcohol.
NEVER… text and drive, or break the rules of your license regarding passengers and driving past midnight.
NEVER… drink/smoke and drive, or go in a vehicle with someone who has been using drugs/alcohol.

Alcohol and Marijuana: Marijuana impairs judgment, motor coordination, and reaction time. A direct relationship exists between blood THC concentration and impaired driving. If using alcohol, marijuana, or other drugs- don’t drive, don’t swim (this is the most common cause of drowning for teens and young adults), don’t have sex (only a sober person can give consent), and don’t post your drinking or drug use on social media (snapchat included). It’s always unwise to break the law and advertise it. We recommend avoiding substances that impair your judgment. Excessive alcohol can cause blackouts leading to deadly car accidents

Sexual Health

If you choose to become sexually active, make sure you’re using appropriate contraception (two forms of contraception are recommended) and practicing good hygiene. ALWAYS use a condom to prevent sexually transmitted infections. Your provider can help you determine if you should have screening for sexually transmitted infections at today’s visit.

Females- Talk to your doctor if you experience an irregular menstrual cycle. If you use tampons, change them every 4 hours and don’t sleep with them in. Visit a gynecologist once a year for a checkup starting at age 21 or sooner.

Males- You should perform monthly testicular self-exams. Talk to your doctor if you notice any lumps, pains, or unusual discharge.

So.... What comes next?

We are, in fact, a pediatricians office. We have loved watch you grow but it is time to move on.

You may choose to see us through age 22, we encourage you to begin thinking about next steps and searching for a new provider who can continue your care beyond your pediatric years. We know this transition may be scary or difficult to navigate, and we are here to help!

You can find an adult provider that we recommend on our Who We Recommend Page.

Questions?

301-279-6750

15204 Omega Drive