Teen (12–18 years) · Young adult (18–21 years) · Growth & development, Behavioral & mental health
Turning 18: your care here until 21, and how we hand off to adult medicine
Dare2Care Pediatrics sees patients through age 21. From 18 the patient, not the parent, controls their records and decisions; we keep well visits, mental health screening and vaccines going and plan the move to an adult doctor together.
Key takeaways
- You can stay with us until your 21st birthday
- At 18 the patient signs consents and chooses who can see their records
- Yearly visits still matter: mental health, sleep, nutrition, sports, sexual health, vaccines
- Start looking for an adult doctor around 20; we send a summary and stay available until the first visit
- College students can still see us on breaks and by telehealth for many concerns
What changes at 18
Legally, an 18-year-old is an adult patient. That means they sign their own consent forms, decide who may see their records or talk to us, and can be seen alone. Parents stay welcome in the room when the patient wants them there. Ask the front desk for the portal proxy form if a young adult wants a parent to keep managing appointments and messages.
Why keep coming
- Mental health: anxiety and depression peak in the late teens and early twenties; we screen at every visit and know where to refer
- Vaccines: a MenB series, HPV catch-up through 26, yearly flu, COVID-19 and a Tdap booster every 10 years
- Chronic conditions: asthma, ADHD, eczema and allergies need a plan that survives the move to campus or a first job
- Sports, work and college physicals, with the forms your school needs
Planning the hand-off
From about age 20 we talk about adult primary care: family medicine or internal medicine, in your insurance network, close to where you will live. We prepare a one-page medical summary (diagnoses, medicines, allergies, vaccines, specialists), send records once you sign a release, and remain your doctors until the first adult visit happens.
For college students
Register with the student health center for urgent needs on campus, keep your insurance card and pharmacy details on your phone, and know that we still see you on breaks. Many concerns, including refills, mental health follow-up and rashes, can be handled by telehealth.
When to call us
- Any new mood change, sleep problem or substance use worry, at any age
- A chronic condition that has slipped without follow-up
- You need forms, records or a summary before a move or a new job
Go to the emergency room or call 911 if…
- Thoughts of self-harm: call or text 988, or go to the nearest emergency department
- Chest pain, trouble breathing, a severe allergic reaction or a head injury with confusion
Questions parents ask
Can my parents still call about my care after I turn 18?
Only if you say so. You can sign a release that names the people we may talk to, and you can change it any time.
Do you see college students who live out of state?
Yes, on breaks in the office. Telehealth rules depend on where you are physically located during the visit; call us and we will tell you what is possible.
Not sure? Ask us
Call or text the office during hours, or send a portal message. For emergencies call 911.
(770) 615-7000Trusted further reading
- HealthyChildren.org (opens in new tab)American Academy of Pediatrics
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (opens in new tab)988 Lifeline