Transition of Care from Pediatric to Adult Care

Adolescents should be encouraged to learn about their condition, medications, and care at an early age (starting as early as 10-12 years). They should learn to advocate for themselves with guidance from parents/caregivers and medical providers. The gradual increase in responsibility of their needs can be monitored by parents/caregivers and the care responsibility can slowly be transferred to the adolescent as they feel more comfortable with different aspects of their care, such as taking their medications. Allowing adolescents to gradually learn how to navigate the medical system prepares them for transition into adult care and allows for a smooth transfer to the adult setting.