Life as a teenager and young adult can be overwhelming, and at Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital, the specialists in our Adolescent Medicine Program know this better than anyone.
Our team of experts offers specialized care for the unique health concerns of children, teenagers and young adults ages 10-25, and we are dedicated to partnering with you and your child to help them grow into a confident, healthy and happy adult.
What is adolescent medicine?
Adolescent medicine focuses on the unique physical, developmental, emotional and behavioral health conditions that affect your child during ages 10-25.
Adolescent medicine specialists, who treat this particular patient population, are primary care physicians who have extra training (in the form of a fellowship) in caring for the unique needs of teens and young adults.
Comprehensive care for your child
Through Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital’s Adolescent Medicine Program, your child will have access to adolescent medicine specialists, licensed clinical social workers, gynecologists and dieticians who will provide evaluation, care and support for the following:
Teen-specific health needs
To meet the unique health care needs of your teen, we:
- Treat acne and other skin conditions
- Manage headaches and chronic pain
Reproductive and sexuality concerns
As they enter their teenage years and young adulthood, your child may face a variety of health concerns related to reproduction and sexuality. We offer care and support related to:
- Menstruation
- Safe sex and the prevention of sexually transmitted infections
- Pregnancy prevention (including birth control)
- Puberty delays
Developmental and intellectual concerns
Our specialists provide care and support for a wide range of developmental and intellectual disorders, including:
- Autism
- Learning disorders
- Attention difficulties that affect learning
If your child is facing one of these conditions, we will help you and your child identify school resources that can help them achieve academic success. If needed, we will also collaborate with your child’s school to ensure their educational and medical needs are met.
Social and emotional concerns
Adolescent mental health disorders are common and can affect self-esteem, sleep quality and overall growth and development. During your child’s teenage years and young adulthood, they may experience:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Eating disorders
We are at the forefront of identifying and treating adolescent mental health disorders and preventing suicide in vulnerable teens. We are also the only hospital in the region that offers specialized support for adolescent eating disorders. If your child is facing one of these conditions, our mental health providers will provide evaluation and treatment in either an outpatient or inpatient setting.
Substance abuse
Our specialists are dedicated to helping adolescents make smart choices about nicotine, alcohol and drugs. As part of your child’s routine care, we will provide them with education on the dangers of these substances and empower them to confidently say no to behaviors that could lead to substance abuse.
Proper nutrition
Our nutrition specialists are focused on preventing obesity and related chronic health conditions (including diabetes, asthma and heart disease). We will help your child develop and maintain a healthy relationship with food while emphasizing quality nutrition and regular exercise.
A specialty built on trust
The adolescent medicine specialists at Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital know how important it is to build a relationship with your child. To foster a positive relationship with your teen, we will give them the option to meet with us one-on-with (without a parent or guardian present) so they feel comfortable seeking help for sensitive issues.
Your children mean the world to you
At Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital, we take the very best care of them.