Well Child Exam

Comprehensive well child exams are an essential part of a healthy childhood and a need that no parent should overlook. At SEARK Children's Clinic in Monticello, Arkansas, James Atkins, MD, FAAP, offers in-depth well child exams to ensure kids stay on track in their health and development. To book a visit, spend a few moments on the online scheduling page, or call the office at your earliest convenience. 

What is the purpose of a well child exam?

Well child exams provide your child with all the preventive health services needed to thrive as they grow and develop. These visits offer a range of benefits for both parents and children. 

Preventive health begins with newborns. You’ll need to bring your little one in more frequently during the first two years of life. By the time a child reaches the age of three, they can usually come in once a year for well child visits. SEARK Children’s Clinic follows the well child exam guidelines set out by the American Academy of Pediatrics. 

During these office visits, Dr. Atkins assesses your child’s development, comparing certain measures against statistics compiled from other kids of the same sex and age. This comparison makes it easy to determine where a child falls on the developmental scale and can be a critical part of diagnosing certain developmental disorders. 

What should I expect during well child exams?

The initial stage of the visit centers on gathering routine information about your child’s height, weight, and temperature. A brief physical exam follows. Some of the areas of focus might include:

• Breathing function
• Hearing
• Vision
• Reflexes
• Strength
• Skin condition
• Heart rate
• Basic neurological function
• Mental health screening
• Lab work (as needed)

If your child is due for specific vaccines, those can be administered during a well child visit. Every effort is made to make vaccines as quick and painless as possible. 

There is also time built into every well child exam for you to ask questions or discuss areas of concern with Dr. Atkins.  

How can I help a child who is fearful of well child exams?

Some kids develop fears surrounding medical care. This can happen as a result of a negative experience in a medical setting or from hearing negative comments related to medical care.

The team members at SEARK Children’s Clinic go out of their way to make well child exams a fun experience. If your child expresses fear about an upcoming visit, there are many children’s books about going in to see the doctor. Look for one written for your child’s age range and read it together. 

To book a well child visit, try the simple online scheduling tool, or call the office to check appointment availability.