Health

The Trouble with ADHD

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 20:09:06 +0100

To medicate or not to medicate ... is that the question? When it comes to a child with ADHD, finding the right “recipe” in order to help him is tricky. “There really are kids that need medicine for it. I wouldn’t have said that a year ago,” says Nora, a Brentwood mother of three children; two of whom have attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Nora’s oldest kids, both boys in middle school, have two different forms of ADHD. While one takes medicine for the disorder, t...

10 Things Every Child with Autism Wishes You Knew

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 16:50:17 +0100

Condensed from the book by the same title I am a whole child My autism is one aspect of my total character. I am a person with thoughts, feelings, and many talents—like you. Don’t allow stereotypes to limit your expectations of what I may be capable of. My sensory perceptions are disordered The ordinary sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and touches of everyday life that you may not even notice can be downright painful for me. I am not withdrawn or belligerent; I am just trying...

Home Safe home

Thu, 24 Mar 2011 20:09:48 +0100

Indoors or out – keep up with child safety at your house!

On Cell Phones, Kids, and Radiation

Fri, 21 Jan 2011 16:27:24 +0100

Cell phone radiation concerns come and go, right?Â But can we afford to be so nonchalant when the long-term stats arenâ€™t yet in for our children?

December 2010 - Kids Health

Mon, 29 Nov 2010 20:29:13 +0100

dressing for the weather Colder weather is on its way, so here are some tips from the American Academy of Pediatricians (aap.org) to help you dress your child for the outdoors: Wear a hood, hat, scarf or face mask as most heat loss is at the head. Keep feet dry with waterproof boots over shoes. Wear a thermal knit layer underneath daytime clothes, then top that with warm outwear. Use coats with hoods, thick fabric, linings of flannel or fake fur, overlapping fabric to keep out the wind, an...

Preventing Silent Shame

Wed, 23 Jun 2010 00:27:12 +0100

It's something no one wants to think about. It's uncomfortable and filled with the idea of shame. But, as you read this article, a sexual predator has identified his next victim. As you consider this, remember that panic and denial are not the answers. Awareness and monitoring are the keys to keeping your children safe.

Who Tube? THEY Tube!

Wed, 23 Jun 2010 00:25:21 +0100

It's part entertainment, part online community and part creative marketing medium for musicians, comedians, animators, filmmakers, dancers, performers and anyone else seeking to share themselves with millions of people worldwide - so that means kids, too.

Kids Health - April 2009

Wed, 23 Jun 2010 00:24:11 +0100

autism: new study focuses on parent interview Since children with autism are unlikely to properly self-report their experiences, new research suggests that interviewing their parents may add important information to help families understand and better respond to the needs of their children, thereby easing challenges in daily routines. The interview method â€” called the Critical Incident Technique â€” asks parents to determine situations where their child had both â€œgoodâ�...

In Sickness and Health: The Healing Power of Friendship

Wed, 23 Jun 2010 00:22:19 +0100

When a child is gravely sick, the most redemptive power comes from friends and family who stay involved to stick it through.

The Special Needs of Special Needs Families

Wed, 23 Jun 2010 00:20:32 +0100

An estimated five percent of children born in the U.S. each year who survive at birth have some form of disability.

The Waiting Game

Wed, 23 Jun 2010 00:18:50 +0100

I will do anything for this child. As I sit in this dark, dusty hallway, groups of sweaty, costumed characters squeezing by me - some carrying juggling pins, others hoisting unicycles over their shoulders - I wonder, how did I get here? How at the age of 47, did I end up in the back of this hot crowded circus theater with clowns, acrobats and daredevils pushing in to my sensible self? I am here because I am a mother. Of course. My son is 9 years old. He is bright, creative, funny, sweet an...

On Being Different

Wed, 23 Jun 2010 00:17:35 +0100

On most days, the furthest thing from my mind is my child being different from any other. We laugh and play together, and even bandage changes are so routine it feels like a "normal" thing to do.

The Clinic for International Adoption at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital

Wed, 23 Jun 2010 00:15:51 +0100

At first glance, Nicolas seems every bit the typical 2-year-old. He is curious about everything and full of energy. And yet, in so many ways, Nicolas and his life so far have been anything but typical.

Autism: Early Diagnosis is the Key to Improvement

Wed, 23 Jun 2010 00:14:50 +0100

Most parents of children with autism usually begin to have some concerns about their child's development before the child's second birthday.

CASA: A Voice for Children

Wed, 23 Jun 2010 00:13:07 +0100

Each year juvenile courts around the United States receive more than a million allegations of abuse or neglect involving children and youth.

Children Living With Autism

Wed, 23 Jun 2010 00:08:47 +0100

When Dan Guileâ€™s son, Jeffrey, was born nine years ago, the young dad had dreams of participating in stereotypical father-son activities â€” playing football, going fishing and taking his son hunting. A diagnosis of autism when Jeffrey was barely 1-and-a-half changed all that.

Doctor Do Right

Wed, 23 Jun 2010 00:06:40 +0100

making the best choice

There are many decisions to make for your children, but perhaps the most important one is the pediatrician you will use.

Food for Thought

Wed, 23 Jun 2010 00:03:59 +0100

If a personâ€™s diet affects the condition of his heart, his risk of cancer and the size of his body, is it any surprise that what we eat affects our brains, too?

Kids Health - August 2008

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 23:56:46 +0100

overweight kids need parent help

According to The National Poll on Childrenâ€™s Health, childhood obesity has replaced smoking and drug abuse to become the number one health concern for kids in 2008.

Kids Health - December 2008

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 23:55:15 +0100

zapping whooping cough A new study by researchers at Wake Forest University School of Medicine and Vanderbilt University suggests that protecting infants from highly contagious pertussis, commonly known as â€œwhooping cough,â€ may be as easy as administering a routine vaccine two weeks earlier than itâ€™s typically given. The shift can potentially prevent at least 1,236 cases of pertussis, 898 hospitalizations and seven deaths attributable to the disease in the United States...

Kids Health - February 2009

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 23:54:01 +0100

Your Child's Pearly Whites

Itâ€™s Childrenâ€™s Dental Health Month and a great time to brush up on practical tips for top-notch dental hygiene.

Kids Health - January 2009

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 23:53:06 +0100

do the onion ...

It may be cold outside, but itâ€™s just as important for children to get physical activity during the winter as it is during the warmer months. That means outdoor play!

Kids Health - July 2009

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 23:51:18 +0100

summerâ€™s scrapes and mishaps

Ah, yes ... Summerâ€™s great and everything ... and then there are the little bites and such that can get kids down ... momentarily!

Kids' Health - May 2009

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 23:50:20 +0100

the SWIM of things ...

Sun Smart?

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 23:49:00 +0100

5 Indicators that put Children At-Risk for Skin Cancer in Adulthood: Past sunburns. Bad burns â€” as well as cumulative exposure to UV rays â€” can cause genetic mutations in the skin that increase the risk of developing melanoma. Moles. Moles present at birth are the most dangerous, but the bulk of kids develop moles in response to sun exposure, and the more moles your child has, the greater his risk of developing melanoma later in life. Family history. About 10 percent...

What to Expect in the Children's E.R.

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 23:46:16 +0100

When Children Are Very Sick

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 23:44:21 +0100

Valerie Helm is the mother of 11-year-old Zach, who has Type I diabetes, a manageable, yet incurable disease that puts him at risk for a host of problems such as kidney damage, blindness, coma and death if left untreated. Helm makes critical choices every time she puts dinner on the table, every time she sends Zach to a friendâ€™s house or to a soccer game, and every time she allows him to attend a pizza, cake and soda-laden birthday party. Crystal Alexandrowâ€™s 8-year-old son,...

A Parent's Best Weapon: Section 504

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 23:40:24 +0100

You've been told that your child does not qualify for special education, but you think he needs some extra help in order to have his educational needs met. What can you do? Request a 504-Plan hearing at your child's school.

Advocating For Your Special Needs Child

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 20:31:03 +0100

Individual Education Plans (IEPs) help ensure your child's success in school.

Are We Leaving Some Kids Behind?

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 20:29:12 +0100

When they asked how their 9-year-old son could be better challenged in school, Toni and Kent Parrish were stunned by the response they received.

Children and Loss

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 20:26:24 +0100

Losing a family member can be especially hard on kids. Here's how to help them cope.

Dealing With Loss During the Holidays

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 20:24:24 +0100

In New York and Washington, a tremendous number of children will spend the holiday season mourning for parents lost in the terrorist attacks. In our own community, many will be grieving over a loss in their own family, whether it's a death or other painful, life-altering events like divorce or job loss.

Gun Safety and Children

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 20:22:13 +0100

Federal offices estimate there are more than 200 million firearms in the United States. Studies suggest that firearms are kept in approximately half of all households. If you have them in your home, are they safely locked away from children? Wait, don't go. Are you sure?

Harry Potter to the Rescue: Bye-bye to Picky Eaters

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 20:19:42 +0100

healthyFAMILIES... Brain Food

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 20:17:37 +0100

One of the main casualties of our time-crunched, go-go-go lifestyle is the healthy meal. We want to do it all, have it all, and – most importantly – we want our kids to have every opportunity anyone could dream up for them.

healthyFAMILIES... ACHOO

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 20:15:25 +0100

Some 50 million Americans – adults and kids – suffer from some form of allergy, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI).

Home Alone?

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 20:13:42 +0100

Today, out of 34 million children ages 6 to 13, three quarters have a working parent. As a result, nearly 10 million kids come home from school each day to an empty house. Is your child OK while he's home alone?

How Safe is Your Backyard?

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 20:12:37 +0100

A periodic inspection of your backyard could save you and your loved ones from a mishap.

How to manage a SNACK ATTACK!

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 20:06:45 +0100

It's easy to grab a bag of chips (saturated fat!) or a handful of cookies (carbs!) but you can take control of what you feed your kids and improve their eating habits â€” and yours!

Inclusive Child Care

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 20:03:29 +0100

Like many parents, Maria Villanuova discovered that finding quality child care for her son, Joey, was a challenge. For Villanuova, however, the problem wasn't just finding child care in a convenient location that fit her family's budget. The challenge was finding a program that provided the right environment for a child with a developmental delay like Joey, who has Down syndrome.

Living With Disabilities

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 20:00:42 +0100

Every year at this time I fret over the lack of good children's literature dealing with special needs.

Kidnappings: Empowering Kids to Protect Themselves

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 19:45:01 +0100

According to the Federal Bureau of Investigationâ€™s (FBI) kidnapping statistics, strangers kidnap about 300 American children every year.

Ready, Set, Grow!

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 19:41:49 +0100

August 1, 2002 - Preschoolers dive headfirst into their world, eager to touch it, climb it and decipher it. We parents follow behind in exhausted awe, weak with the effort of simply keeping our little dynamos fed, clothed, amused and out of danger.

Safe and Sound?

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 19:20:11 +0100

What every parent should know about playground safety

Sleep - It Works Like a Dream

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 19:17:50 +0100

Snow Days, Sick Days and Child Care

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 19:15:16 +0100

A sick child. An unexpected snow day. A no-show babysitter. In short, you need to be at work, and there's no one to care for your child.

Talking About Disabilities

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 19:11:24 +0100

The Sky's the Limit!

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 19:07:47 +0100

Understanding Autism

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 19:05:22 +0100

First-Class Classes For Preschoolers

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 18:59:56 +0100

Coco Kyriopoulos, a Nashville mother of two, has encouraged her 2-year-old son Charlie's involvement in enrichment programs since he was 6 months old.

Kids Are Great Helpers!

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 18:58:06 +0100

Let your children help around the house. If you start them young it will become a habit!

Ground Zero: Discovering Cancer

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 18:54:08 +0100

Our family was out of town when we found a lump on our youngest daughterâ€™s back. Miranda was 3 years old.

Voicing: A Q&A with Children Touched By Cancer

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 18:51:41 +0100

With more than two classrooms full of students diagnosed with cancer each day, chances are that one of them will be a neighbor, a teammate or a friend.

Local Resources and Support for Families Affected by Cancer

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 18:49:29 +0100

gildaâ€™s club offers support and social activities For most kids, the worst part about having cancer isnâ€™t the painful procedures, the hair loss or the exhaustion. The hardest thing is being seen as â€œdifferentâ€ along with the long stretches of isolation from school, sports and parties with their friends. Thankfully, Gildaâ€™s Club Nashville provides a welcoming place where children with cancer and their families can join support groups and participate in a wi...

Preventing Picky Eaters

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 18:47:15 +0100

Finicky eaters are a huge frustration to parents in the early years. Your approach to eating and food choices will set the tone for years to come.

Your Child's First Dentist Visit

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 18:45:32 +0100

Taking your child to the dentist for the first time can actually be pleasant! We asked local dentists how they work to soothe the concerns of the preschool set.

Kids & Healthy Bodies: Lighten Up

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 18:44:21 +0100

strict parents = overweight kids? Research from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) shows that parents who are strict disciplinarians are more likely to have overweight children than parents who are respectful of their childâ€™s opinion. The study, from the Boston University School of Medicine, analyzed parenting styles such as authoritarian (strict), authoritative (sensitive to childâ€™s needs), permissive and neglectful and determined out of 872 children that authoritaria...

With Kids on Road Trips

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 18:43:03 +0100

car-seat conundrums â€” answered!

Seems like making the transition between car seats should be clear cut â€” but too often, itâ€™s not. In time for road trips this month, here are answers to your four top concerns: