Teen Challenge 2009Tiffany Bowlby, MSW, LCSWChildren’s Hospital Boston

WHAT IS TEEN CHALLENGE?

• Designed to be a metaphor for living with a metabolic condition

• It’s a challenge, but one that can lead to growth and mastery

• Main objectives are:– Developing a social network that supports adherence,– Challenging teens to try new and/or overwhelming things,– Encouraging teens to build resiliency & self-confidence, and– Building skills necessary for independent management of

metabolic condition.

Teen Challenge lays the groundwork for a smooth transition to adult care.

THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

SOCIAL SUPPORT

POSITIVE ATTITUDES

MANAGEABILITY

Finkelson L, Bailey I, Waisbren SE. J Inherit Metab Dis. 2001; 24: 515-516.

THIS YEAR’S PARTICIPANTS

• 12 participants ages 13 – 19 (20% increase from 2008)

• 2 college-age volunteers with PKU

• 50% with PKU; all but 2 on special diets

• 50% first-time participants

• Most participants from New England region

Building Skills

Working Together

Trying New Things

THINKING AHEAD: TEEN CHALLENGE 2010

Goals include:

• Reach more youth – particularly those not served in previous years,

• Involve past participants in planning process,

• Evaluate program’s effectiveness at achieving stated objectives, and

• Increase collaboration among metabolic centers to address recruitment, funding, and staffing challenges.

For more information, please contact:Tiffany Bowlby

tiffany.bowlby@childrens.harvard.edu617-355-0966