What are middle school students' needs?

Jolie, BSN · Jul 20, 2011

Most are routine minor illnesses and injuries. Some families will need assistance in seeking low cost care for urgent visits (things like suspected strep throat, broken fingers.)

Some concerns that are more common in ms students include menstrual issues, weight and fitness, bullying, girl drama, family issues (mom and daughter not getting along, parental divorce).

There are also a fair number of follow-up visits related to vision, hearing and postural screening. I had a couple of girls who wore back braces and asked to change in my office rather than the locker room.

Finally, you will probably have a fair number of students with diabetes and asthma. While these conditions are not solely attributed to being overweight or obese, their incidence increases with increased weight. Unfortunately, by middle school, the incidence of overweight/obesity is higher.

Jolie, BSN · Jul 20, 2011

Forgot to add:

Visits for meds such as ADD/ADHD drugs, headache medicine, and the rare asthmatic or diabetic student who chooses NOT to self carry and self administer their meds.

Staragate, ADN, ASN, RN · Jul 20, 2011

The above conditions.... keep in mind that a lot of disorders manifest themselves at this age... or resolve.

* My son suddenly developed asthma in middle school, I personally think it was a mold issue since it's resolved in high school.

* I had childhood epilepsy that resolved with puberty.

* Also, many kids have special issues such as downs syndrome, autism, cerebral palsy, fetal alcohol syndrome, neuro disorders, and g-tube feedings for example for the special ed kids. (I worked with these for years as an aide.)

I'm sure there are dozens of other things that you could possibly identify or at least refer to a doctor. Keep an eye out for depression at this age. It's a very awkward time.

septvirgo03 · Jul 21, 2011

Good stuff. Thank you both!! Wish me luck:o)