Menu
Virtual Visit Request an Appointment ER Wait Times
Search
Back

Filter By

All Search Results

  • Surviving a preschooler’s separation anxiety

    I’ve come to believe that separation anxiety is the straw that breaks the backs of many moms. We can carry our heavy loads through many child-rearing deserts, but we Mom-camels collapse under the pressure of children suffering from separation anxiety. Our children cry as we leave them, and we cry our guilty little hearts out as soon as we are out of our children’s sight. We are left with those lingering questions: Should I leave them? Are they going to be okay? Am I a terrible mother for leaving my child?

  • When family expectations differ from your doctor’s advice, what’s a new parent to do?

    Written by Lisandra Perez, MD

  • What to expect at your child's therapy evaluation

    Your child has been referred to Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy or Speech Therapy. So, what's next? First of all, don't dread this appointment. Therapists can be a wealth of information and you will leave that first appointment with some useful tools. Part of a therapist’s job is to share valuable information with you about your child- both their strengths and weaknesses. Their job is to help your child reach their maximum potential and equip you to be an expert about your child’s abilities. This is a good thing.

    For All Evaluations

    Bring your child in comfortable clothing that allow full movement Make sure they are well rested Bring any specific equipment they use such as walkers, splints, or communication devices Be prepared to share concerns you or your doctor may have Provide a list of their medications Be prepared to leave for part of the session if asked (so that therapist can build rapport and see how your child works on their own)

    What to bring for Feeding Concerns

    A hungry kiddo Food you’re sure your child will eat Food you have tried to give your child but they haven’t accepted A drink your child typically accepts: bottle, sippy cup, straw cup, etc. A list of their allergies or recent notes from any specialists

    What to Bring for School Related Concerns

    A copy of their 504 Plan, IEP, Behavior Contract or Health Plan A letter from the teacher expressing any specific concerns (if possible) A sample of their written work from class (if this is a concern) Report a from the school psychologist or therapist (if it’s available)

    During the Evaluation

    Let the therapist take the lead but feel free to comment if you feel your child is not showing their full potential. Be as specific as possible. Remember, you are the expert on your child and the therapist is getting a one-time snapshot. Any information on how your child typically functions is very much appreciated. During the evaluation, your therapists will gather valuable information on how your child responds- or doesn't respond- to certain tasks. The therapist is likely to approach your child in a specific way to achieve a desired outcome. For this reason, resist the urge to help your child complete tasks presented. Remember, therapists are looking to build rapport with your little one and form a partnership with you to ensure your child’s success. They’ll definitely let you know if they need you to jump in and help out.

    After your Evaluation

    Ask the therapist for their professional opinion on what strengths they observe in your child and what areas of concern they have. Would they recommend referrals to other professionals or further testing? If therapy is recommended, how often will they need to be seen to achieve their goals? What skills does the therapist see your child achieving through their intervention? How much work at home will be required to achieve these results? Although most of the recommendations will come during your child’s treatment sessions, you can still leave the evaluation equipped with something beneficial for your child. Ask for a few suggestions on what you can work on at home while you await your first therapy session. Therapists want to build your child’s skills and maximize their strengths so they’ll have great suggestions for toys and fun activities to help your child achieve their goals.

  • What we do now may affect our future children’s genetics

    We are all aware that mothers who smoke while they are pregnant run a higher risk of having children who are premature, smaller than they should be, or stillborn. This is likely due to reduced oxygen supply to the baby through mom’s diseased body and to toxins shared by mom with baby. We also know that children who are exposed to second-hand smoke have a higher risk of developing respiratory diseases like asthma, chronic lung disease and even cancer due to direct lung damage from inhaled smoke.

    What you do with your body early in life can affect future generations

    But recent data suggests that a father’s behavior even years prior to conception may affect the health of his children and future generations. For example, early paternal smoking has been associated with increased body mass in children. Paternal alcoholism has been associated with smaller birth weights in babies, and hyperactivity in children. Most recently, smoking even early in life has been found to be associated with an increased risk of certain forms of asthma in a man’s children. A study which was recently presented at the European Respiratory Society International Congress looked at 13,000 men and women and found that non-allergic asthma was significantly more common in children whose fathers smoked before the age of 15. In addition, the longer the father smoked, the higher the risk of his child having this kind of asthma. Interestingly, the same link was not found in children whose mothers smoked before they conceived.

  • Is it okay to drink alcohol while pregnant?

    A new report from the Centers from Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that one in every 10 pregnant women has consumed alcohol within the last 30 days.

  • Making a Healthy TRANSition – Removing Trans-fat from your Diet

    On June 16, 2015, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) made a huge step to significantly reduce partially hydrogenated oils, which are a major source of artificial trans-fats in the food supply. Artificial trans-fats are no longer considered “Generally Recognized as Safe” or GRAS for any use in human food. These unhealthy fats have been linked to many health problems such as cardiovascular disease. FDA has set a compliance date of three years to slowly phase out the use of partially hydrogenated oils in our food supply. During this three year compliance period, manufacturers will either reformulate their products without using partially hydrogenated oils or petition for use in their product.

  • Recognizing the Signs of Drowning

    Drowning is the second-leading cause of injury-related deaths in children between 1 and 14 years old in the United States, and it is the third-leading cause of unintentional death worldwide.

  • Want a Happier Baby? Adopt a Sleep Schedule

    Sleep deprivation is one of the main challenges of parenthood. How much a baby needs to sleep and how much they want to sleep are often two different things. This often results in a tired, cranky child and tired, frustrated parents.

  • Will My Student Athlete Be a Healthier Adult?

    Playing sports as a child can set your kid up for a lifetime of healthy habits. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in five children is obese in the United States. As a result, diabetes, high cholesterol and hypertension are rising among children, who historically hadn’t been plagued by these health issues.

  • What To Know About Children’s OTC Medications

    When it comes to calming fevers, quieting coughs or settling upset stomachs, parents often turn to over-the-counter (OTC) medications. These can provide immediate comfort for minor illnesses and ailments, but choosing the right medicine and giving the proper dose is key when it comes to your child’s safety.