Specialties & ConditionsSpina Bifida Center Teens and Transition
Teens and Transition
Growing up with Spina Bifida can be exciting and sometimes challenging. The Spina Bifida Center at Lurie Children’s is committed to helping teens grow into successful adults who are empowered to manage their own lives and healthcare needs. Transition is about more than just transitioning to an adult medical provider, it also includes:
- Increasing independence in activities of daily living
- Assuming tasks of self-care
- Building social relationships and support systems
- Pursuing education and employment
- Setting goals
Ideally, transition begins long before a young adult moves their care to an adult hospital or medical system. Small steps, beginning as young as 12-15 years of age, can help to establish transition readiness:
- Understanding, taking, and managing medications
- Explaining and tracking health concerns
- Utilizing MyChart to understand and access medical records
- Scheduling and attending medical appointments
Specialists and Staff
Spina Bifida Transition Coordinator and Urology physician, Diana Bowen, MD, and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation physician, Ana-Marie Rojas, MD, see patients in Spina Bifida Clinic and in the Adult Spina Bifida Clinic at Shirley Ryan Ability Lab. They provide a continuum of care and prepare teens to transition into life as a young adult.