What is a school physical?
A school physical is a yearly opportunity for your pediatrician to evaluate your child’s health. Whether they’re just beginning school or they’re a high school athlete, they can benefit from a visit to Dr. Willis and his team at Ludlow Pediatrics.
During a school physical, both you and your child are building trust with your pediatric health care team. Dr. Willis and his team also:
- Evaluate your child’s overall health
- Update their health record
- Record and track their height and weight
- Assess their major bodily systems
- Update their immunizations
- Assess their developmental health
- Identify any concerns or risk factors
- Answer any questions you or they might have
- Encourage healthy habits
During your child’s visit, Dr. Willis and his team take the time to educate them on age-appropriate topics like sports safety or, if applicable, safe-sex practices.
What problems can school physicals help diagnose?
Yearly school physicals can allow early intervention in and detection of common childhood problems, including:
- Childhood obesity
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Asthma
- Diabetes
- Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
- Anxiety and depression
- Autism and other developmental issues
- Learning disabilities
School physicals can help identify unhealthy habits that can increase your child’s risk of developing conditions later in life like heart disease, adult obesity, and high cholesterol. Yearly assessments can make a significant impact on their health and wellness throughout their lives.
What happens during a school physical?
During your child’s school physical, the team at Ludlow Pediatrics works to make your child feel as comfortable as possible as they:
- Measure height and weight
- Record blood pressure, pulse, and respiratory rate
- Listen to their heart, lungs, and abdomen
- Look inside their ears, nose, and mouth
- Assess their vision and hearing
- Test their reflexes and motor skills
- Take a sample of their blood and/or urine, if needed
- Give them vaccines
During your child’s school physical, you have an opportunity to ask questions and address any concerns you might have as a parent. If Dr. Willis or his team identify any areas that need further assessment, they can order diagnostic tests, make referrals to specialists, or make other recommendations to improve your child’s health.
To schedule a school physical, call the office or schedule an appointment with Ludlow Pediatrics today.
