Teen%20Challenge%202009%20Tiffany%20Bowlby,%20MSW,%20LCSW%20Children

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Teen Challenge 2009Tiffany Bowlby, MSW,
LCSWChildrens Hospital Boston
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WHAT IS TEEN CHALLENGE?

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

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Teen Challenge lays the groundwork for a smooth
transition to adult care.
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THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
SOCIAL SUPPORT POSITIVE ATTITUDES MANAGEABILITY
Finkelson L, Bailey I, Waisbren SE. J Inherit
Metab Dis. 2001 24 515-516.
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THIS YEARS 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

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Building Skills
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Working Together
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Trying New Things
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THINKING AHEAD TEEN CHALLENGE 2010

• Goals include
• Reach more youth particularly those not served
  in previous years,
• Involve past participants in planning process,
• Evaluate programs effectiveness at achieving
  stated objectives, and
• Increase collaboration among metabolic centers to
  address recruitment, funding, and staffing
  challenges.

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For more information, please contactTiffany
Bowlbytiffany.bowlby_at_childrens.harvard.edu617-35
5-0966