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This blog was written in conjunction with Agnes Hsieh, a board-certified music therapist at Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children.

Having a chronic disease, with frequent hospital visits, is always challenging. Particularly for teenagers who can feel isolated from their peers during their illness. For Ruby, it was no different. At the age of 16, she came to Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children with a diagnosis of gastroparesis and severe dysmotility of the GI tract. In other words, her digestive system didn’t properly move food from the stomach to the small intestine.

From turning door knobs to pushing elevator buttons to sharing toys at a playdate, children are constantly touching items that are covered with germs. And then, when they touch areas like their noses, eyes and mouth, they introduce those germs to their bodies, which can make them sick.  Think of your child picking up germs while touching the handle of a grocery cart, then popping their thumb into their mouth or rubbing their eyes.

It’s often difficult for parents to talk with their teens about sex, but it is a vital conversation to have. Just as important as discussing sex itself is talking about how to prevent sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

After making it through the bleak winter months, spring break is a much-needed time to relax and enjoy the (hopefully) warm and sunny weather. Despite the excitement this vacation brings, traditional spring break trips and activities also can be dangerous or even deadly. Whether your family is going on vacation, headed to the beach or enjoying the great outdoors from your backyard, here are some tips to keep your children safe during spring break. 

Learning that your baby has a congenital heart defect can be scary, and while health challenges can exist, the outlook for most children is positive. Although congenital heart defects are serious, most types of the disease can be treated, allowing your child to live a productive and fulfilling life.

Although the winter holidays are a major time for buying children’s toys, the truth is, we buy toys year round. We buy for birthdays—whether for our own children, relatives or our children’s friends. We buy gifts to celebrate achievements, like preschool graduation, or to encourage a skill or interest. We even stock up on toys based on the season, such as buying beach toys and sidewalk chalk in the spring.

Here is a fact all parents should know: Energy drinks have no health benefits for children.

This blog was written in conjunction with Federico Laham, MD, medical director of the Infectious Diseases Department at Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children.

For a child life specialist at Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children, no two days are the same. The Child Life Program offers