Youth, transition

to adulthood

Youth, transition to adulthood

Prepare yourselves and your child well for the transition from pediatric to adult medicine (transition). Seek support from from your medical contacts (e.g., your child's pediatrician and possible new primary care physician). The transition should take place no later than between the ages of 16 and 17 at the latest. The focus here should be on promoting, strengthening and practicing your child's personal responsibility. If possible, take responsibility for making appointments with doctors and therapists, for obtaining and taking medication, and for going to the doctor's office alone. The goal is for the young person to practice independent health management according to his or her abilities. When exactly the Transition starts differs from case to case (often after the age of 18).

Remember that from the age of 18, you as parents can no longer officially represent your child in dealings with insurance companies and doctors, as parental care legally ceases to exist. Your child is of age and independent. If this is not the case, you need to clarify whether an Necessary and reasonable - unless there is a written consent (e.g. power of attorney) (e.g. power of attorney, guardianship). Take care of such legal such legal matters in good time. tailor-made assistance solutions can be agreed upon (generally (as a rule, participation or representation assistance is sufficient). The goal is to install protection only as far as necessary, because it means always a restriction of the right of self-determination. The solutions are individual, for example there are comprehensive guardianships, representative guardianships, Participation guardianships and accompanying guardianships. Depending on the individual Can be tailored to the individual situation. Get advice (e.g. from Procap). A consultation is suitable from the 17th birthday of your child.

Ideally, the thematization of changes begins in the 13 to 14. Age through the caring school, acquaintances and you. In this is the time when the first questions about education and accommodation usually arise. From the age of 15 at the latest, young people are faced with important Young people are faced with important decisions regarding their choice of career and and financing their livelihood, and both you and your child should be well should be well prepared. Take care of the following at an early stage Counseling sessions at school and with the pediatrician. If it is determined that the primary labor market is not an option, or that it is an option with limitations, you can visit appropriate counseling centers (e.g. Procap, Pro Informis) or seek advice from foundations and vocational training centers for people with disabilities People with disabilities.

Good vocational training for young people with special needs of central importance. Depending on the personal situation of the young Young people, different questions arise in the choice of training and in the Career prospects. Discuss your questions with your child's teachers and the doctors treating your child. In this way, you can find out at an early stage whether your child's career aspirations are suitable or whether it is better to look for something else. In addition, it must be clarified whether the possible physical/cognitive impairments restrict the choice of occupation. If the first job market is out of the question or at least there are doubts about it, vocational measures must be applied for with the IV. You parents play an important role in the process towards independence. You can provide your child with additional support on this career path by giving him or her self-confidence, encouraging him or her to take advantage of trial apprenticeships and individual trial days, and supporting him or her in the weaning process.

If you determine or suspect (in consultation with the teachers and doctors) that your child has a limitation on the first labor market due to the illness, it is important to involve the IV at an early stage. In this case, an application for occupational measures must be made in consultation with the doctors treating the child.

If your child has a birth defect recognized by the IV, the treatment costs (which are related to this) are not covered by the health insurance, but by the by the IV. After the age of 20, however, even in the case of people with a birth recognized by the IV, the health insurance is responsible for the assumption of the treatment costs and not the IV And no longer the IV. If you are unsure Procap, Pro Infirmis or the social services of your hospital.

Independent Living is part of the weaning process of a teenager. Think about early on about possible forms of living for your child. The question is which and how much support your child needs, respectively how independently your child can live. It can be helpful to involve the local social counseling (e.g. from the municipality), since they know the offers on site and can also advise on financing.

The topic of love is very important for all young people. Therefore, even those with rare diseases should be should be prepared for sexuality, not only at school, but also by you by you parents. Inform yourself about the numerous information sites or Counseling centers, some of which also offer disease-specific education. What does the disease mean for the topics of sexuality, fertility, contraception, etc.? Discuss with your child who could be a suitable and trustworthy contact person (e.g. attending doctors, gynecologists). Also take a look at the websites of patient organizations, some of which provide disease-specific information on the topic of sexuality and family planning.