CF Milestones
CF Transition Australia has developed a timeline for recommended CF-related milestones a person with CF and their parent or support person can work toward as the child grows up.
CF Milestones
CF Transition Australia has developed a timeline for recommended CF-related milestones a person with CF and their parent or support person can work toward as the child grows up.
CF Milestones at a Glance
View a variety of goals on the CF journey designed for specific age groups to achieve.
Parent/Support Person Completely Responsible
Parent/Support Person Primarily Responsible
Shared Responsibility
Person with CF Primarily Responsible
Person with CF Completely Responsible
Early School, Ages 6-9
Understanding CF
Understands the basics of CF: what it is, how it impacts the body, etc.
Understands the importance of sleep on overall health
Understands the importance of sports, exercise, salt intake, and healthy activities
Understands importance of infection control and ways to manage the spread of germs/infection
Understands the roles and responsibilities of CF care team members
Understands the key symptoms that might trigger exacerbations or a decline in health
Knows names of medications, understands what they do, and learns about new treatments as they are introduced
Understands BMI percentile, FEV1 scores, key aspects of CF screening, and basic tests
Understands the proper nutrition and diet plan for a person with CF and impact on lung/overall health
Understands how equipment works and how to get replacement equipment
Understands rights in school and the workplace
Understands other possible health issues linked to CF (CF-related diabetes, liver disease, sinus issues, etc.)
Understands impact of CF on body/sexual development
Understands the impact of CF on mental health (anxiety/depression)
Understands how lifestyle choices impact long-term health (drinking, drugs, smoking, transplant, relationships)
Understands CF-related insurance, patient assistance programs, medication, and financial management
Managing CF Care
Leads all aspects of clinic visit—asks/answers questions about health status, treatment changes, insurance, etc.
Proactively identifies and reports changes in health/symptoms and alerts parent or care team
Keeps track of FEV1 and BMI and implements recommended nutrition/treatment changes, as needed
Monitors and maintains appropriate sleep schedule
Creates and maintains proper diet and nutrition plan
Prepares for hospital visits (packing, alerting school/work, etc.)
Coordinates care with healthcare providers outside the CF center (primary care, psychologist, OB/GYN)
Person with CF is open to and ready for transfer to adult center
Schedules appointments and tracks all doctor’s appointments/clinic visits
Manages all insurance and financial aspects of CF care (ordering new treatments, coordinating refills, co-pays, etc.)
Arranges transportation to all doctor’s appointments/clinic visits
Taking CF Treatments & Therapies
Sets up all equipment and treatments
Remembers to take and carry pills and enzymes
Remembers and takes medicines and treatments as prescribed by doctor
Cleans and disinfects equipment
Sorts and tracks medications, identifies need for refills, and informs care team/pharmacy if running low
Stores medication properly
Has a plan or system for taking medicines and treatments when on the road (on vacation, at school, at work)
Living with CF
Pictures and openly talks about a future for the person with CF
Able to identify warning signs and apply strategies for managing anxiety and depression
Maintains and monitors exercise plan
Educates school, family, friends, and coaches about CF
Able to speak up/advocate for the person with CF in the medical system, school, or other social settings
Makes healthy lifestyle choices (drinking, drugs, infection control, etc.)
Understands the importance of—and utilises—a support system of peers with CF
Download additional detailed milestones for 6-9 yr. olds
Primary and High School, Ages 10-12
Understanding CF
Understands the basics of CF: what it is, how it impacts the body, etc.
Understands the importance of sleep on overall health
Understands the importance of sports, exercise, salt intake, and healthy activities
Understands importance of infection control and ways to manage the spread of germs/infection
Understands the roles and responsibilities of CF care team members
Understands the key symptoms that might trigger exacerbations or a decline in health
Knows names of medications, understands what they do, and learns about new treatments as they are introduced
Understands BMI percentile, FEV1 scores, key aspects of CF screening, and basic tests
Understands the proper nutrition and diet plan for a person with CF and impact on lung/overall health
Understands how equipment works and how to get replacement equipment
Understands rights in school and the workplace
Understands other possible health issues linked to CF (CF-related diabetes, liver disease, sinus issues, etc.)
Understands impact of CF on body/sexual development
Understands the impact of CF on mental health (anxiety/depression)
Understands how lifestyle choices impact long-term health (drinking, drugs, smoking, transplant, relationships)
Understands CF-related insurance, patient assistance programs, medication, and financial management
Managing CF Care
Leads all aspects of clinic visit—asks/answers questions about health status, treatment changes, insurance, etc.
Proactively identifies and reports changes in health/symptoms and alerts parent or care team
Keeps track of FEV1 and BMI and implements recommended nutrition/treatment changes, as needed
Monitors and maintains appropriate sleep schedule
Creates and maintains proper diet and nutrition plan
Prepares for hospital visits (packing, alerting school/work, etc.)
Coordinates care with healthcare providers outside the CF center (primary care, psychologist, OB/GYN)
Person with CF is open to and ready for transfer to adult center
Schedules appointments and tracks all doctor’s appointments/clinic visits
Manages all insurance and financial aspects of CF care (ordering new treatments, coordinating refills, co-pays, etc.)
Arranges transportation to all doctor’s appointments/clinic visits
Taking CF Treatments & THerapies
Sets up all equipment and treatments
Remembers to take and carry pills and enzymes
Remembers and takes medicines and treatments as prescribed by doctor
Cleans and disinfects equipment
Sorts and tracks medications, identifies need for refills, and informs care team/pharmacy if running low
Stores medication properly
Has a plan or system for taking medicines and treatments when on the road (on vacation, at school, at work)
Living with cf
Pictures and openly talks about a future for the person with CF
Able to identify warning signs and apply strategies for managing anxiety and depression
Maintains and monitors exercise plan
Educates school, family, friends, and coaches about CF
Able to speak up/advocate for the person with CF in the medical system, school, or other social settings
Makes healthy lifestyle choices (drinking, drugs, infection control, etc.)
Understands the importance of—and utilises—a support system of peers with CF
Download additional detailed milestones for 10-12 yr. olds
Early High School, Ages 13-15
Understanding CF
Understands the basics of CF: what it is, how it impacts the body, etc.
Understands the importance of sleep on overall health
Understands the importance of sports, exercise, salt intake, and healthy activities
Understands importance of infection control and ways to manage the spread of germs/infection
Understands the roles and responsibilities of CF care team members
Understands the key symptoms that might trigger exacerbations or a decline in health
Knows names of medications, understands what they do, and learns about new treatments as they are introduced
Understands BMI percentile, FEV1 scores, key aspects of CF screening, and basic tests
Understands the proper nutrition and diet plan for a person with CF and impact on lung/overall health
Understands how equipment works and how to get replacement equipment
Understands rights in school and the workplace
Understands other possible health issues linked to CF (CF-related diabetes, liver disease, sinus issues, etc.)
Understands impact of CF on body/sexual development
Understands the impact of CF on mental health (anxiety/depression)
Understands how lifestyle choices impact long-term health (drinking, drugs, smoking, transplant, relationships)
Understands CF-related insurance, patient assistance programs, medication, and financial management
Managing CF Care
Leads all aspects of clinic visit—asks/answers questions about health status, treatment changes, insurance, etc.
Proactively identifies and reports changes in health/symptoms and alerts parent or care team
Keeps track of FEV1 and BMI and implements recommended nutrition/treatment changes, as needed
Monitors and maintains appropriate sleep schedule
Creates and maintains proper diet and nutrition plan
Prepares for hospital visits (packing, alerting school/work, etc.)
Coordinates care with healthcare providers outside the CF center (primary care, psychologist, OB/GYN)
Person with CF is open to and ready for transfer to adult center
Schedules appointments and tracks all doctor’s appointments/clinic visits
Manages all insurance and financial aspects of CF care (ordering new treatments, coordinating refills, co-pays, etc.)
Arranges transportation to all doctor’s appointments/clinic visits
Taking CF Treatments & THerapies
Sets up all equipment and treatments
Remembers to take and carry pills and enzymes
Remembers and takes medicines and treatments as prescribed by doctor
Cleans and disinfects equipment
Sorts and tracks medications, identifies need for refills, and informs care team/pharmacy if running low
Stores medication properly
Has a plan or system for taking medicines and treatments when on the road (on vacation, at school, at work)
Living with cf
Pictures and openly talks about a future for the person with CF
Able to identify warning signs and apply strategies for managing anxiety and depression
Maintains and monitors exercise plan
Educates school, family, friends, and coaches about CF
Able to speak up/advocate for the person with CF in the medical system, school, or other social settings
Makes healthy lifestyle choices (drinking, drugs, infection control, etc.)
Understands the importance of—and utilises—a support system of peers with CF
Download additional detailed milestones for 13-15 yr. olds
Late High School, Ages 16-18
Understanding CF
Understands the basics of CF: what it is, how it impacts the body, etc.
Understands the importance of sleep on overall health
Understands the importance of sports, exercise, salt intake, and healthy activities
Understands importance of infection control and ways to manage the spread of germs/infection
Understands the roles and responsibilities of CF care team members
Understands the key symptoms that might trigger exacerbations or a decline in health
Knows names of medications, understands what they do, and learns about new treatments as they are introduced
Understands BMI percentile, FEV1 scores, key aspects of CF screening, and basic tests
Understands the proper nutrition and diet plan for a person with CF and impact on lung/overall health
Understands how equipment works and how to get replacement equipment
Understands rights in school and the workplace
Understands other possible health issues linked to CF (CF-related diabetes, liver disease, sinus issues, etc.)
Understands impact of CF on body/sexual development
Understands the impact of CF on mental health (anxiety/depression)
Understands how lifestyle choices impact long-term health (drinking, drugs, smoking, transplant, relationships)
Understands CF-related insurance, patient assistance programs, medication, and financial management
Managing CF Care
Leads all aspects of clinic visit—asks/answers questions about health status, treatment changes, insurance, etc.
Proactively identifies and reports changes in health/symptoms and alerts parent or care team
Keeps track of FEV1 and BMI and implements recommended nutrition/treatment changes, as needed
Monitors and maintains appropriate sleep schedule
Creates and maintains proper diet and nutrition plan
Prepares for hospital visits (packing, alerting school/work, etc.)
Coordinates care with healthcare providers outside the CF center (primary care, psychologist, OB/GYN)
Person with CF is open to and ready for transfer to adult center
Schedules appointments and tracks all doctor’s appointments/clinic visits
Manages all insurance and financial aspects of CF care (ordering new treatments, coordinating refills, co-pays, etc.)
Arranges transportation to all doctor’s appointments/clinic visits
Taking CF Treatments & THerapies
Sets up all equipment and treatments
Remembers to take and carry pills and enzymes
Remembers and takes medicines and treatments as prescribed by doctor
Cleans and disinfects equipment
Sorts and tracks medications, identifies need for refills, and informs care team/pharmacy if running low
Stores medication properly
Has a plan or system for taking medicines and treatments when on the road (on vacation, at school, at work)
Living with cf
Pictures and openly talks about a future for the person with CF
Able to identify warning signs and apply strategies for managing anxiety and depression
Maintains and monitors exercise plan
Educates school, family, friends, and coaches about CF
Able to speak up/advocate for the person with CF in the medical system, school, or other social settings
Makes healthy lifestyle choices (drinking, drugs, infection control, etc.)
Understands the importance of—and utilises—a support system of peers with CF
Download additional detailed milestones for 16-18 yr. olds
Early Adulthood, Ages 18-25
Understanding CF
Understands the basics of CF: what it is, how it impacts the body, etc.
Understands the importance of sleep on overall health
Understands the importance of sports, exercise, salt intake, and healthy activities
Understands importance of infection control and ways to manage the spread of germs/infection
Understands the roles and responsibilities of CF care team members
Understands the key symptoms that might trigger exacerbations or a decline in health
Knows names of medications, understands what they do, and learns about new treatments as they are introduced
Understands BMI percentile, FEV1 scores, key aspects of CF screening, and basic tests
Understands the proper nutrition and diet plan for a person with CF and impact on lung/overall health
Understands how equipment works and how to get replacement equipment
Understands rights in school and the workplace
Understands other possible health issues linked to CF (CF-related diabetes, liver disease, sinus issues, etc.)
Understands impact of CF on body/sexual development
Understands the impact of CF on mental health (anxiety/depression)
Understands how lifestyle choices impact long-term health (drinking, drugs, smoking, transplant, relationships)
Understands CF-related insurance, patient assistance programs, medication, and financial management
Managing CF Care
Leads all aspects of clinic visit—asks/answers questions about health status, treatment changes, insurance, etc.
Proactively identifies and reports changes in health/symptoms and alerts parent or care team
Keeps track of FEV1 and BMI and implements recommended nutrition/treatment changes, as needed
Monitors and maintains appropriate sleep schedule
Creates and maintains proper diet and nutrition plan
Prepares for hospital visits (packing, alerting school/work, etc.)
Coordinates care with healthcare providers outside the CF center (primary care, psychologist, OB/GYN)
Person with CF is open to and ready for transfer to adult center
Schedules appointments and tracks all doctor’s appointments/clinic visits
Manages all insurance and financial aspects of CF care (ordering new treatments, coordinating refills, co-pays, etc.)
Arranges transportation to all doctor’s appointments/clinic visits
Taking CF Treatments & THerapies
Sets up all equipment and treatments
Remembers to take and carry pills and enzymes
Remembers and takes medicines and treatments as prescribed by doctor
Cleans and disinfects equipment
Sorts and tracks medications, identifies need for refills, and informs care team/pharmacy if running low
Stores medication properly
Has a plan or system for taking medicines and treatments when on the road (on vacation, at school, at work)
Living with cf
Pictures and openly talks about a future for the person with CF
Able to identify warning signs and apply strategies for managing anxiety and depression
Maintains and monitors exercise plan
Educates school, family, friends, and coaches about CF
Able to speak up/advocate for the person with CF in the medical system, school, or other social settings
Makes healthy lifestyle choices (drinking, drugs, infection control, etc.)
Understands the importance of—and utilises—a support system of peers with CF
Download additional detailed milestones for 18-25 yr. olds
Tools & Resources
People living with CF can come together with their parents and care teams to take advantage of a toolset that checks their knowledge and learning.