Advertisement So does his pediatrician, Dr. David Capelli.
The 5-year-old recently visited the Franciscan Skemp Onalaska Clinic, where he reluctantly had his eyes, ears, weight, height and blood pressure checked during a school exam.
“We do a complete check-up and make sure the child is really ready for school,” Capelli said.
Most kindergartners are required to have a health screening before starting school, but Capelli said it’s good for all children to have an annual check-up or well-child exam. That way, any changes in behavior patterns can be discussed and immunization records can be kept up to date, he said.
Dr. Kelley Bahr, a family physician at the Gundersen Lutheran’s Onalaska Clinic, said many adolescents have been coming into the clinic this month for sports physicals that are required by the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association for seventh-graders through seniors who play sports.
But, she said, getting the sports form signed should just be “one small piece” of a well-child or adolescent exam.
“In this day and age, not only do we need to make sure the lungs and heart are healthy, but we also need to talk to them about safety, drugs and alcohol, sunscreen and birth control,” Bahr said. “We need to look at the bigger picture ... It’s important to sit down and chat if they have questions or concerns.”
There also are new immunizations and updates that have become available in recent years that children need, the doctors said.
Autumn Grooms can be reached at (608) 791-8424 or agrooms@lacrossetribune.com.
