Wellness Exams

What Is A Well Child Exam?

A well child exam is an age-specific assessment of your son or daughter’s health at a time when they aren’t sick. Well child exams are an excellent way of protecting your young one’s health, beginning when your child is an infant and extending through young adulthood. Well child exams are preventive, fully covered by insurance, and allow Dr. Larson to assess your child’s health when they aren’t feeling sick. This helps build trust before they are hurting, having signs of illness, or are in the hospital.

This Exam Also Allows Dr. Larson To:

Keep track of your child’s general health
Record and track their growth and development
Administer and update vaccines
Answer any questions you may have
Assess any concerning symptoms
Identify any risk factors for disease
Educate you about proper childhood nutrition
Encourage healthy behaviors
Identify any need for referrals to specialists
Detect early signs of developmental and behavioral problems

How Often Does My Child Need A Well Child Exam?

The earlier you begin well child visits, the better. During the first two months after birth, Dr. Larson provides excellent newborn care. Well child exams start after your child is two months old, and extend through about age 18. They typically coincide with the childhood immunization schedule recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

During the first year of their life, your child visits Dr. Larson every 1-2 months. After your child’s first birthday, a well child exam takes place at:

15 months
18 months
Two years
30 months
Three years

From age four through young adulthood, well child exams only take place about once a year. Many parents opt to schedule well child visits around the start of the school year.

What Happens During A Well Child Exam?

As your child ages, Dr. Larson and the Heber Valley Pediatrics team tailor their well child exams to fit their specific developmental needs.

During your child’s visit, they:
Measure height and weight
Record blood pressure, pulse, and respiratory rate
Listen to the heart, lungs, and abdomen
Look inside the ears, nose, and mouth
Assess vision and hearing
Test reflexes and motor skills
Take a sample of blood or urine, if needed
Administer and update vaccines

An important aspect of Dr. Larson’s examination is to assess your child for any signs of developmental conditions or mental or emotional problems, such as childhood anxiety. He shares any concerns he may have with you, and advises continued testing or a personalized treatment plan, if needed.