Explanation of age and age limit

The transition from one stage of development to another is different for every child. This begins as early as infancy - one child speaks earlier, another takes his or her first steps. This is precisely why the concept of age is difficult: the term chronological age does not necessarily say anything about the stage of development and degree of maturity. However, many support services are tied to age limits.

The chronological age is a fixed value, for example 14 years, which cannot be changed. It is needed to set age limits. These are necessary to ensure that rights and obligations are observed.

However, the phase between adolescence and adulthood is different for every young person and is often associated with challenges and hurdles. The medical term for this transition phase is "transition". This refers to a process with the aim of moving from a child-centered healthcare system to an adult-centered one. After all, in adult medicine, young people are expected to make decisions on their own and keep track of their own therapies. However, many need time before they can achieve this level of self-care and autonomy.

Further information on the transition

The Austrian League for Child and Adolescent Health is committed to a smoother transition to adult-oriented medical care. Under the following link, parents, guardians and all those who work with children and adolescents can find information on why this transition phase is so important and must succeed: