Book Your Child's School Physical Today!
It’s that time of year again – time for school, sure, but also time for school physicals. Did you know that the American Academy of Pediatrics now recommends children up to the age of 21 receive annual physicals, which is a change from policies of the past? Yearly physicals present an important opportunity for parents to make sure their kid is on the right path. These checkups may relieve parents whose children are experiencing mood or behavioral concerns or specific issues around nutrition, but even parents who hear “I’m fine” will feel better following a quick examination with a medical professional.
This retired Army veteran and mother of four has seen everything and can charm a bashful child into giggles or take an anxious child from freaked-out to calm in a matter of minutes.
Janna Thompson is an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse at Harbor Care Health and Wellness Center in Nashua. Providing pediatric primary care services that are often integrated with behavioral health services, this retired Army veteran and mother of four has seen everything and can charm a bashful child into giggles or take an anxious child from freaked-out to calm in a matter of minutes.
Having [previously worked for Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth Hitchcock (CHaD) for 21 years, Janna is ready to address any issue a child can present. Some may find it surprising that, despite the broad range of physical ailments she’s equipped to handle, the issues she encounters most often involve behavior and learning. These behavioral presentations, which are often first encountered in the classroom, underscore the importance of a child’s annual school physical.
Parents whose children have Individualized Educational Plan (IEPs) receive help from Janna in a number of ways. She helps parents determine what paperwork needs to be submitted, assists them when they’re required to file updates and grievances, advocates for families with school districts, and connects them to appropriate contacts for further assistance.
Parents also ask her a lot of questions about nutrition. People have received mixed messaging in the past, and often do not understand how to consistently maintain a healthy diet. More concerning is the statistic from Feeding America that one in nine kids in New Hampshire are food insecure. It's probably no surprise that poor diet has a profound effect on children Janna sees every day..
Many of Janna’s young patients suffer from digestive issues and stomach pain, which can be either a nutritional issue, a physical issue, or a behavioral one. Often, it is a combination of two or three of these factors. With a background in both behavioral health and gastroenterology, she sorts out pretty quickly what’s causing the gut problems and sets her patients up for improved digestive health.
We asked Janna what questions parents in the community ask her most often about kids’ annual physicals. Here’s her list, including her answers:
1. How Often Does My Child Need to go to the Doctor?
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends well child checks/physicals every year. This is a change from a few years ago when they recommended every other year in the teen years. If a child has a chronic medical condition, like asthma, persistent infections, or allergies, they may need a physical more often than once a year. Talk to your child’s healthcare provider to find out what’s best for your family.
2. Do Schools Require Physical Examinations for Students?
We advise that you check with your local school district for details as to their specific requirements. Following a school year in which many stayed home because of the pandemic, many children are not up to date with their physicals. Most schools will require them to have a physical within the past year in order to attend school or play sports.
Occasionally, parents find that they can’t get their child’s physical completed before school begins. When this happens, Janna writes a letter to the school, asking the administration to allow the family extra time in which to complete their physical. It’s important to note that she will only do this for children who are her existing patients, and who have an appointment for a physical scheduled with her.
3. Why Are Annual Examinations Important?
Children are in a constant state of change. A small problem today may grow to be a large problem a few weeks or months from now. Yearly examinations track a child’s height, weight, health and growth, but also uncover potential health issues problems that a parent may not have noticed. These examinations also give both child and parent a valuable chance to ask questions of an experienced, trained medical provider.
Annual school physicals prevent children from missing school...and fewer days when the child has to be picked up from the school nurse’s office and taken home. After a year of schooling-at-home, and parents having to miss work, most of us can appreciate how important it is to make sure our kids are healthy enough to attend – and do well in – school.
4. Is There a Difference Between an Annual Physical and Sports Physical?
Yes, A sports physical focuses on determining whether a child can safely participate in a particular sport. In an annual physical, the health care provider will check out your child’s overall health, including things that are not related to sports.
5. Who Can Perform the Exam?
A physician, physician’s assistant, or an advanced registered nurse practitioner (ARNP) are all able to perform a physical. At Harbor Care, Janna performs all the annual physicals for our young patients. She has additional certifications in behavioral health and is able to address any mental health concerns you or your child may have. She also has a background in pediatric pulmonary and pediatric gastroenterology, so she has lengthy experience dealing with breathing problems like asthma as well as digestive issues.
6. Do I Need to Prepare my Child for Their Physical?
Depending on the age of your child, you may need to have a conversation with them about what they should expect during the exam. If you child is scheduled for a vaccination, for example, it’s best to take a moment to explain the procedure to them, and allay any concerns they may have. A reminder that you will be there should provide them some comfort. Healthcare providers often offer those in the adolescent years and older the option of speaking with them privately.
7. Should I Make a List of My Concerns?
If you have any concerns about your child’s emotional, behavioral, or physical health, write down a list of questions to ask their healthcare provider. Remember to ask your child if they have any questions they want to ask and write them down as well (or have them write their own list, if they’re old enough).
8. What Should I Expect During my Child’s Physical?
The healthcare provider will begin by checking the child’s height, weight and blood pressure. Once the physical exam begins, the doctor will check the heart and lungs, the spine for any curvature, and depending on your child’s age, signs of puberty.
9. Will my Child Get Immunizations/Vaccines During Their Physical?
If your child is due for certain immunizations and vaccines, they may get them during the back-to-school physical.
Receiving immunizations is a choice left to the family; however, all children entering any school in New Hampshire are required to have certain vaccinations upon entering different grade levels. Children must have proof of all required immunizations, documentation of immunity, or valid exemptions, in order to be admitted or enrolled in any school in New Hampshire. Documentation of immunity by confirming laboratory test is acceptable for Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Varicella, and Hepatitis B.
A child may be “conditionally” enrolled when the parent or guardian provides: 1) Documentation of at least one dose for each required vaccine; AND 2) The appointment date for the next dose of required vaccine.
Please consult this parent-friendly schedule of vaccines, the diseases they prevent, and the CDC’s recommended age for school-age children if you’d like more information.
10. Is There Anything I Need to Tell the Healthcare Provider?
If anything has changed between now and your last visit, such as family medical history, your insurance provider, or your child’s medications, you should give this information to the healthcare provider as soon as possible.
11. Can I Wait Until the End of Summer Since Sports Begin in the Fall?
Waiting may mean you can’t get an appointment until after you need one. Late summer and early fall are peak seasons for school physicals, and providers are busy. You will want to guarantee your child gets their physical in a timely manner by making the appointment early.
12. How Can I Schedule a Visit?
Call Harbor Care at 603-821-7788 and make an appointment for your child’s annual physical today. Remember, those scheduled openings fill up quickly with the many youngsters who need physicals, so get your child’s appointment date locked in as soon as you can!