Back-to-School Physicals: Your Questions Answered
Kids are returning to school and it’s a good time for parents to check in with the pediatrician to see if their children are due for an annual physical. UR Medicine pediatrician Dr. Anne Ryan answers some common questions about well-child visits.
How often does my child need a physical?
A: School-aged children need a physical once a year. Even if your child has seen the doctor for illnesses or other health concerns in the past 12 months, it’s important to have a physical, too, for a “check-up” to review your child’s growth and development. If you aren’t sure if your child is due for a physical, ask your pediatrician’s office.
Why are physicals important to my child’s school?
Schools want to verify that students are healthy and are receiving care from a doctor. To help keep all students healthy and safe, they also want to be sure that students’ immunizations are up to date, and that proper screenings (like blood pressure, vision testing, and hearing testing) have taken place.
What if I can’t get a physical scheduled in time for the beginning of the school year?
Talk to the nurse at your child’s school. School nurses usually provide some leeway for students who can’t get their physicals scheduled in time for the beginning of the school year.
What if my child plays sports?
If a physical is required for your child to participate in sports or after-school recreational programs, it’s helpful to bring the paperwork to your child’s physical appointment. You should let the doctor know if your child has had any recent injuries, like sprains, broken bones, or concussions.
It’s also helpful to the doctor to know if your child has had any unusual difficulty breathing, passing out, or chest pain with activity (please call right away if your child has these symptoms). Be sure to also let your pediatrician know if there are changes to any family members’ heart health.
Ask your doctor for safety advice for your child’s sport; pediatricians are always happy to talk about ways to keep kids healthy and safe!
What should I expect at my child’s physical?
- Screening tests—like a vision check, hearing test, or even blood work to look for signs of high cholesterol or anemia—may be needed, depending on the age of your child.
- Expect to talk about exercise, healthy eating, healthy sleep patterns, family routines, technology use/“screen time”, safety, mental and emotional health, and behavior issues.
- With patients’ and parents’ permission, pediatricians often set time aside to talk alone with teenage patients about healthy decision-making as they get older.
My child needs to take medications while at school. How can the doctor help?
Many children with medical conditions like ADHD, asthma, severe allergies, diabetes, and others need to take medications while they are at school. Your child’s doctor can provide written instructions to the school for medication use during the school day, and can sometimes provide extra medication for the school to give (for example, a spare “rescue inhaler” to leave with the school nurse for your child in case he or she develops asthma symptoms while at school).
What immunizations (shots) does my child need for school?
Children who are 4-5 years of age and are beginning school for the first time are usually due for the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) immunization, the varicella (chickenpox) immunization, and a DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis/whooping cough) immunization, as well as a polio booster shot.
By the time they begin 6th grade (around age 11), kids are due for tetanus and pertussis booster shots, and HPV (human papillomavirus) and meningitis immunizations are recommended. If your child missed any immunizations at a younger age, the pediatrician may give “catch-up” immunizations, too, to keep your child protected from illnesses.
Your pediatrician can talk with you about recommendations for your child for COVID shots and flu shots during flu season.
What if I have questions or concerns about getting my child immunized?
Many parents have questions about immunizations. We recommend immunizing children according to the Centers for Disease Control immunization schedule and American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines, and we provide accurate information to families who are hesitant about immunizations or who have questions about them.
Vaccines are required for children to attend school in New York State unless there is a medical reason, determined by your child’s doctor, why a specific vaccine cannot be given. (In New York State, there are no nonmedical or religious exemptions for required shots for school.)