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- Complexity of need
- What the young person needs to know
- Starting the process in discussion with families
- Increasing knowledge and autonomy for the young person
- Medical/social review of the HIV history
- Communication with other professionals
- Combined consultations moving to consultations only with the adult team
Starting the process in discussion with families
It is important to start a discussion with parents as the child progresses through primary school so that they are prepared for what to expect of this process. Giving parents ideas on how to continue telling their children more about HIV (see above) is part of this and takes time. Explaining to the parents about puberty and the changing needs and expectations of the young person as well as how to progress with their care over the next few years gives the family a time frame to work with. Explaining that as the young person enters early puberty it is usual to begin to give them some personal time within the clinic is advisable. This is important to give them opportunities to discuss issues such as physical and sexual development, which are not necessarily related to HIV. It also allows for opportunities for them to mention any worries or concerns of their own. This will start in quite an informal way, e.g. when they go to be weighed and measured with the specialist nurse. Parents will be reassured that young people may always have a same-sex chaperone.
