Teen Transition Checklist ✦ A Parent Assessment Checklist How Ready Is My Teen to Take the Lead? This checklist helps you reflect on how independently your teen is managing their health condition — from day-to-day tasks to knowing when and how to get help. There are no right or wrong answers — only an honest snapshot of where things stand today. For each statement, choose the option that best reflects what you observe most of the time. Choose: Not yet, Sometimes, or Consistently. Some statements include N/A where not relevant to your teen’s situation. Also available: Parent Readiness for Letting Go 🖨 Print this checklist ℹ️ You can complete this checklist interactively right here on this page, or print it out and fill it in by hand. Your answers stay private and are not sent anywhere. Section 1 — Understanding Their Condition Knowledge basics — what my teen knows about their health My teen understands what their condition is. Not yet Sometimes Consistently My teen can explain what their main medication or devices are meant to do and how they work. Not yet Sometimes Consistently My teen knows their personal warning signs when things are worsening. Not yet Sometimes Consistently My teen knows when to seek routine medical help. Not yet Sometimes Consistently My teen knows when to seek urgent or emergency help. Not yet Sometimes Consistently My teen can name their main triggers or situations that can make symptoms worse. Not yet Sometimes Consistently My teen knows where to find reliable information about their condition. Not yet Sometimes Consistently Reflection Where does my teen still heavily rely on me? Section 2 — Day-to-Day Self-Management My teen can, with minimal or no prompting… Statement Not yet Sometimes Consistently N/A Take medications or complete treatments as prescribed and on schedule. Use devices correctly (inhalers, pumps, spacers, infusions, etc.). Recognise when a dose or routine has been missed. Troubleshoot common problems (e.g., symptom worsening, device issues, side effects). Keep basic supplies organised (meds, refills, emergency kit, travel needs). Use reminders independently. Reflection Which task still requires frequent reminders or supervision? Section 3 — Nutrition, Routines, and Lifestyle Health choices beyond medication My teen understands how food, sleep, stress, or activity affect their condition. Not yet Sometimes Consistently My teen can make reasonable health choices in common situations (school, outings, eating out). Not yet Sometimes Consistently My teen knows how alcohol, vaping, or drugs could affect their condition or medications. Not yet Sometimes Consistently My teen can plan ahead for busy days, travel, or social events. Not yet Sometimes Consistently Reflection Where might my teen need more practice or planning ahead? Section 4 — Social Life, School, Sports and Independence Managing health outside the home Statement Not yet Sometimes Consistently My teen can explain their needs to a coach, teacher, or trusted adult if needed. My teen knows what to do in camps, sleepovers, and trips. My teen keeps or knows how to access an emergency plan or kit. My teen can advocate for basic accommodations when appropriate (e.g., school trips, camps, college). My teen understands privacy versus disclosure and can decide who and when to tell (e.g., work, studies). Reflection What is one situation where more independence could be encouraged? Section 5 — Medical Appointments and System Navigation Finding their way through the healthcare system Statement Not yet Sometimes Consistently My teen knows the names of their main doctors and clinics. My teen knows how to contact the medical team. My teen prepares questions before appointments. My teen is able to speak first during visits and describe symptoms. My teen knows their medications and doses. My teen can schedule or reschedule appointments. My teen can request refills or knows how the refill process works. My teen understands basic insurance concepts (who prescribes, who refills, what needs prior approval). Reflection What is one system-navigation skill they could begin practising next? Section 6 — Worsening Symptoms, Crises, and Safety Knowing when and how to act My teen recognises early signs that their health is worsening (for example, symptoms escalating, blood sugar concerns, or other indicators that something is not right). Not yet Sometimes Consistently My teen knows when to call the doctor versus going to the ER. Not yet Sometimes Consistently My teen can explain their emergency plan to someone else if needed. Not yet Sometimes Consistently Reflection If something unexpected happened, how confident am I that my teen would take the first appropriate step? Section 7 — Emotional Readiness and Responsibility How my teen handles the emotional side of living with a chronic condition My teen can talk about frustrations with their condition without shutting down. Not yet Sometimes Consistently My teen accepts that mistakes may happen and is willing to problem-solve. Not yet Sometimes Consistently My teen shows willingness to take on more responsibility. Not yet Sometimes Consistently My teen can ask for help when overwhelmed rather than hiding problems. Not yet Sometimes Consistently Reflection Is my teen more likely to problem-solve or avoid? Condition-Specific Add-Ons The sections above reflect core transition skills that apply across most chronic conditions. Some diagnoses require additional knowledge or management skills. Open the relevant add-on below if it applies to your teen. 🩸 Diabetes Add-On Blood sugar management, insulin, devices and nutrition ▸ Knowledge and Problem-Solving My teen can explain what insulin does in their body. Not yet Sometimes Consistently My teen understands why highs and lows can happen. Not yet Sometimes Consistently My teen knows when low and high blood sugar levels need urgent medical attention. Not yet Sometimes Consistently Daily Management StatementNot yetSometimesConsistently My teen can check blood sugar without prompting in usual situations. My teen can check blood sugar in unusual situations (during sport, illness, travel, before driving). My teen can calculate insulin needed. My teen can calculate correction doses when needed. My teen can recognise and treat hypo- and hyperglycaemia appropriately. My teen can change infusion sets or pump sites when needed. My teen can read and interpret food labels to support accurate dosing. Eating Out and Food Choices StatementNot yetSometimesConsistently My teen can estimate food portions reasonably. My teen can make safe choices when eating out. 💊 IBD Add-On Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis — flares, adherence and safety ▸ Knowledge Basics My teen knows common side effects of their medications. Not yet Sometimes Consistently My teen understands why adherence matters even when feeling well. Not yet Sometimes Consistently Recognising Flares and Safety My teen recognises early signs of a flare. Not yet Sometimes Consistently My teen knows first steps to take when symptoms worsen. Not yet Sometimes Consistently My teen knows when to contact the medical team. Not yet Sometimes Consistently Your Teen’s Transition Readiness Snapshot Based on your overall responses, choose the description that best reflects your teen’s current level of readiness. Early Skill Development Growing Independence Emerging Self-Leadership Ready for Transition Early Skill Development Your teen is still learning the basics of understanding and managing their condition. Independence is limited, and significant guidance or supervision is still required. Growing Independence Your teen manages some responsibilities independently but remains inconsistent in certain areas. Skills are developing, though reminders and structure are still needed. Emerging Self-Leadership Your teen handles most daily tasks reliably, participates in medical discussions, and recognises when something is not right — though occasional support is still helpful. Ready for Transition Your teen consistently manages their condition, communicates effectively with healthcare providers, understands when to seek help, and demonstrates responsibility across daily life and safety situations. Optional Reflection What feels like the most important next step for my teen? 🖨 Print this checklist Also complete: Parent Readiness for Letting Go → Your answers stay on your device and are not submitted or stored anywhere.