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The information provided on the Way to Grow! Web site is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice provided by your healthcare professional. Please consult your healthcare professional in regards to any specific concerns.
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Supporting Your Child
“My child is being treated for a growth disorder and is doing well on therapy. What should I be doing to support this process?”
What are some general things I can do?
There are a number of things you can do to optimize treatment goals, regardless of your child’s treatment plan. These include:
  • Ensuring that your child’s treatment plan is followed exactly. This is especially important in terms of taking medications exactly as prescribed, not missing any scheduled treatments, and ensuring your child is at the correct dose (the dose of medication will change as your child grows)
  • Ensuring that
  • Your child’s nutritional needs are met
  • He/she gets adequate rest
  • Addressing any self-esteem/psychosocial issues your child may have in relation to his/her height
  • Staying positive and optimistic, and helping your child to do the same
How can I maximize compliance?
As mentioned above, it is extremely important that medications be taken exactly as prescribed. You may want to ask your doctor or nurse for specific recommendations regarding compliance. In addition, Worksheet I: Compliance Calendar (PDF) and the Way to Grow! "High Five" Program (PDF), designed especially for kids, can be helpful in this regard.
What other ways can I involve my child?
The more your child understands about his/her condition and treatment plan, the better your chances for success. To this end, you can:
  • Talk with your child about
  • His/her growth
  • The importance of treatment—stress the long term benefits
  • Reasonable expectations
  • Compliance with scheduled treatments
What should I be keeping track of?
In general, nothing—just stay positive and trust that your child’s treatment will continue to work! An exception is that it is helpful for parents to be on the lookout for signs of puberty, e.g., facial or underarm hair in boys or girls, and/or breast development in girls. If you do notice signs of puberty, be sure to mention it to your child’s doctor at your child’s next scheduled visit, as the treatment plan for your child may need to be adjusted.
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