Back-to-School Physicals: 3 Steps to Prepare

Back-to-School Physicals: 3 Steps to Prepare

Though fun but nowhere near as magical and endearing for parents, summer can be a time of great joy and wonder for kids. It’s traditionally the busiest time of year for movies (summer blockbusters have the name for a reason, after all), and trips to beaches, lakes, resorts, and national parks can be a great time. With over 650 million long distance trips made around this time of year in the US alone, it’s no wonder kids look forward to summer after school is done.

Sadly, the fun doesn’t last forever, and soon you’ll be planning to get them back to class. This means new schedules, new school supply lists, and preparing for this year’s school physical to keep up with your child’s health. Let’s look at what you’ll need to get your child ready by examining the reasons for getting a school physical, the steps needed to prepare for it, and questions you should consider asking during it.

If your family lives in the little river, South Carolina area and you need to get your child a physical or other medical needs, Dr. Rogers Walker and his skilled medical staff at Walker Urgent & Family Care are here to help.

Reasons for the school physical

Whether your child is looking to get ready for sports or is just trying to get through classes, schools need to assess their health to determine things like if they’re up to date on their immunizations, their medical history, and their general physical health. Basic exams test things like your height, weight, blood pressure, vision, and heart rate as well as review their medical history. These factors all play a role in finding out if your child is both healthy and able to attend school and keep the student body and the school staff in good health.

Steps for preparation

Here’s a look at the things you should have to get your child ready for another year in school:

1. Inform school of any conditions or limitations that will affect your child

If your child has a chronic condition that is under control but should still be monitored or is disabled in some way, make sure the school is aware to consider it during examinations and in the child’s life at school. Conditions like autism, ADHD, and Tourette syndrome, for example, are things that can affect how your child interacts with children.

2. Having medical records and immunizations in order

Even if you don’t know all the requirements for your child before the school physical, it’s a good idea to have as much of their medical history, including immunizations, as possible, which can make things easier for everyone.

3. Having questions to ask

Don’t be afraid to ask questions if you have them. It will be important to know about the schedule of future examinations and vaccinations, what the policy is for missing days because of illness, and if forms can be faxed or otherwise sent in advance.

Being informed is important to prepare for the challenges of the new school year, so follow these steps and never be afraid to ask about things you don’t know or understand. We offer physicals and other services to help your child, so if looking to prepare for the upcoming year, we can help. Make an appointment today with Dr. Walker and Walker Urgent & Family Care today to assess your child’s health and help them start the year right.

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