RESEARCH ARTICLE Evaluation of a Rheumato

Adolescence is the period of transition from a dependent child to an independent adult. This normal developmental out of school and away from peers, illness-related physical limitations, changes in physical appearance, and the natural well-managed can be a chal-, their families Stringer et al. Pediatric Rheumatology (2015) 13:22 DOI 10.1186/s12969-015-0016-xmust prepare for the transition from pediatric healthCanada Full list of author information is available at the end of the articleand their health care providers. Adolescents with a chronic disease and their families * Correspondence: Elizabeth.stringer@iwk.nshealth.ca1Division of Pediatric Rheumatology, IWK Health Centre, Halifax, NS B3K 6R8,and sexual development [1]. Chronic illness can affect an adolescent’s development in a number of ways including tudes that negatively impact a previously condition [3]. Taken altogether, adolescence lenging period for youth with chronic illnessprocess includes changes in cognition from concrete to abstract thinking, moving towards increasing autonomy