August is close, and if your child has not had a checkup this year, now is the time to book one. A wellness exam in Lithonia covers far more than most parents expect, and getting it done early means you go into the school year knowing your child is ready, not hoping they are.
What the Visit Actually Covers
A wellness exam is a full checkup, not a quick once-over. During the visit your child’s doctor will:
Check growth and physical health. Height, weight, and blood pressure are tracked and compared to previous visits to make sure your child is developing on track.
Screen for vision and hearing problems. These are two of the most commonly missed issues in school-age children. A child who cannot see the board clearly or hear the teacher properly often gets labeled inattentive before anyone realizes there is a physical reason behind it.
Review mental and emotional health. Anxiety, mood changes, sleep issues, and social stress have become more common in children and teens. The wellness visit is a good time to bring up anything you have noticed at home.
Complete school forms. If your child’s school requires paperwork signed by a doctor, bring it to the visit, and it gets handled in the same appointment.
Georgia School Requirements to Know
Georgia law requires every child from daycare through 12th grade to have a Certificate of Immunization, Form 3231, on file before attending school. Beyond that, there are grade-specific requirements:
- 7th grade: One dose of Tdap and one dose of meningococcal vaccine (MCV4)
- 11th grade: MCV4 booster if the first dose was given before age 16
- First-time Georgia enrollees at any grade: Vision, hearing, dental, and nutrition screening form (Form 3300) also required
One appointment takes care of all of it.
Why Booking Early Matters
Scheduling two to three weeks before the first day gives you time to follow up on anything that comes up, whether that is a missing vaccination or a referral for a specialist. Waiting until the week before school means competing with every other family who also waited.
Book your child’s wellness exam at First Lithonia Medical Center before the August rush. firstlithonia.com/book-same-day/