I am sure you all enjoyed our last post and the radical parent web site. If you did not have a chance to look at it, go to: http://www.radicalparenting.com/! I hope that you found the last part of my blog helpful.
The GAPS (Guidelines for Adolescent Preventive Services) were written by the AMA to help doctors provide health advice and direction to teenagers and their parents. The original paper is long, almost to the point of being exhausting, so with permission from the AMA I have summarized it and published it as Appendix A. In addition I have included the question I ask all teens, Review of Health Habits, at the time of their annual health evaluation to make sure I follow the guide lines. They are posted as Appendix B. You can go directly to them and the GAPS at: http://https://parentingwithdrpar.com//appendix2.php.
Remember to review the GAPS before you take your teen for his/her physical. Maybe even make a copy of it and the guideline questions found in appendix B, “Review of Health Habits”. Click on “Home” above and then on “Appendixes” to find the GAPS Your kid’s doctor might appreciate your giving the GAPS and the Review of Health Habits to him/her.
I would really appreciate your thoughts about GAPS and the Review of Health Habits. Have you heard of them before? Do you think they are helpful? Do you think most doctors use them in their care of teenagers? Does yours? What additions or subtractions would you suggest to the lists? Would you be comfortable having your kid’s doctor discuss these things with your teen? Would your teen? How many of the questions have you and your teen already discussed?
I am anxious to hear from you! Thanks for your input.