Dr. Robert Dracker
/ photo: Brian Erb
CAMILLUS -- A local pediatrician reacts to a CNY Central exclusive surrounding the use of a sexual maturity scale for some students to qualify for participation in high school sports.
As we reported Wednesday, a local mother objects to the requirement that her son undergo a "Tanner Scale" examination to determine his level of sexual maturity in order to join a golf team. She feels such information is highly personal, private and unnecessary, especially for non contact sports.
Doctor Robert Dracker of Summerwood Pediatrics is often called upon to fill out "Individual Athletic Profiles" which are required by the New York State Education Department for middle school students who wish to move up to compete in sports at the high school level.
Dr. Dracker says the Tanner Scale should be considered just one part of an overall assessment of a child's ability to play sports. "I see it as one component. Along with that is nutritional assessment, weight assessment, and body/mass index." He also feels the Tanner Scale is needed "considering the potential for liability" should a child be injured while playing sports. He agrees with the State Education Department's position that the use of the Tanner Scale is intended to prevent growth plate injuries.
When asked if such an assessment would be needed for non contact sports such as golf, Dracker said. "You would think that certain sports would never be associated with certain injuries and after you take care of children for a while, you realize anything is possible."
He says the forms he fills out, require him to check off whether a child should be allowed to play "limited contact" sports such as gymnastics, cross country and baseball, and "non-contact" sports which include tennis, swimming and golf.
Never the less, Dr. Dracker says he understands why parents who have commented on our story overwhelmingly agree with the mother who spoke out. "I understand their concern that a trainer who is not a medical specialist... having access to information, but I do think it's important. I think the parent should rely on the health care provider to assist them and be the advocate for the child."
Dracker considers himself the "third parent" when it comes to the children he treats. "I am their advocate" he says.
