Sickle Cell Transition Program
The Sickle Cell Transition Program treats and supports adolescents and young adults with sickle cell disease and empowers them to transition into adult medical care and adulthood.
The Johns Hopkins All Children’s Sickle Cell Transition Program offers patients with sickle cell disease medical and psychosocial care in addition to emotional and educational support. Our team of experts consists of a physician, nurse, psychologist, transition coordinator and a social worker who work closely with patients to create an individualized transition plan.
What is Transition?
Transition is a planned process where patients with sickle cell disease mature into independent adults and transition from child-focused medical care to the adult health care system. The transition process involves medical, psychosocial and educational/vocational needs of adolescents and makes transitioning to work, community and school much easier.
Adolescents with sickle cell disease are living increasingly longer into adulthood. For this reason, transitioning patients must learn to take care of their own health. A transition program provides the continuity of health care and the support patients need to successfully manage their own health care.
How Transition Works
We begin the transition process at age 13 and officially transfer care to adult services at age 21. Our team uses an age-based approach to transitioning our patients and divides them into three groups:
- Ages 13-15. Patients ages 13-15 begin the process of transitioning. Our team introduces them to our transition policy and educates them on sickle cell disease.
- Ages 16-18. Our team provides our older adolescents with a broader understanding of sickle cell disease and prepares them for the next steps after high school.
- Ages 19-21. We support our young adult patients in navigating the medical system and help them prepare for the official transfer into adult medical care and adulthood.
What to Expect
We use every clinic visit as an opportunity to teach and prepare young adults for transition, providing patients and their families with transition education and support including:
- Sickle cell disease education
- Independent self-care practices
- Navigation of complex adult health care systems
- Peer and parental social support
Annual Sickle Cell Family Symposium
Our Sickle Cell Family Symposium provides patients and caregivers with an interactive educational experience, including learning about health care systems, insurance needs and future career planning, among other topics.
Transition Resources
Our team is dedicated to helping patients with sickle cell disease understand and prepare for the transition to adult health care. That’s why we have provided a variety of resources, including transition checklists, age-appropriate ideas to help children develop independence and more.
Sickle Cell Disease Association of America (SCDAA)
The SCDAA is a non-profit organization that provides the latest sickle cell disease information and the most current news to keep families as healthy and as safe as possible. Any patient with sickle cell disease can join a chapter.
Got Transition
Got Transition partners with health professionals and transition programs to provide effective health care transition support to young adults and their families. Find the latest sickle cell disease transition information, tools and resources.
MyChart
MyChart is a secure way to keep track of health care information from Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, Johns Hopkins All Children’s Outpatient Care locations and All Children’s Specialty Physician offices. Find physician instructions, ask questions about a medication, check symptoms, make an appointment and more.
Transition Education Timeline
Parents often wonder how they can help their child live a fulfilling life with sickle cell disease. The transition education timeline provides parents with age-appropriate tasks and ideas to help their children develop independence in a variety of areas, including medically, socially, with family and in school.
Download Sickle Cell Transition Curriculum
Transition Readiness Checklists
Find answers to common questions and help prepare for the transition to adult health care.