Back to school: Get Set!

The start of school is just around the corner for the Bend-Lapine and Redmond school districts (and maybe for you homeschoolers too!). I am going to write several blog posts on getting ready to head back to school. This is part 2 of 3. As the summer rolls to an end, it’s a good time to take advantage of having (relatively) more free time to take care of healthcare needs.

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If your child hasn't had a check up in a year, now is the time to do it. If they have any conditions that require medication, you can make sure that you have enough medication, that nothing expired over the summer, and that any forms the school needs are completed and ready to be turned in. If your child will be playing sports, you can often get their sports physical completed and get the form filled out at the same visit. Sports physicals are best done by your pediatrician or family doctor, who knows your child’s history and can help to identify potentially dangerous conditions.
Let school personnel know about any unique requirements your child may have, whether these have to do with medical conditions, academic challenges, personality traits, or anything else that may affect his or her education. Sometimes a formal plan is warranted, but often a simple conversation can be enough to get everyone on the same page. If you think your child has learning or behavioral differences that may warrant further evaluation, talk to their doctor.
Especially for children starting kindergarten or 7th grade (when immunization requirements change), make sure your child’s immunizations are up-to-date. Diseases can spread quickly in a crowded classroom environment, and vaccines are a safe and effective way to prevent this.
While you are at it, summer is a great opportunity to get your child in to see a dentist (and even an orthodontist) and to get their eyes checked. If your child wears glasses, make sure the pair they have is still working for them. Kids’ prescriptions will change as they get older.