All Search Results
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12 things you can do to support families dealing with childhood cancer
No one expects a cancer diagnosis, especially not for their child. When cancer shows its ugly face, it comes like a thief in the night, stealing the normalcy the family once enjoyed. Instead of spending time in the carpool line, at playdates, or friends’ birthday parties, these families are spending time in hospital rooms, helping their child cope with the side effects of chemotherapy, and weighing life or death treatment decisions. After spending time with many families who have walked this journey, I can tell you the one thing that nearly every parent of a sick child has said: that the care and support of their friends and family during their difficult time made a world of difference to them. What you do to care for these families really does matter, and they will remember it for the rest of their lives.
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Kids with Autism are at Higher Risk to Go Missing from Safe Places
Panic strikes in that moment when you look down to notice your child has vanished. How could it happen so fast? For most, it’s the mischievous toddler who plays a spontaneous game of hide-and-seek in the middle of the busy superstore or decides to run the opposite way when Dad announces it’s time to go home from the park. But if your child is affected by an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), the situation can be even more unexpected and more dangerous. Keeping your child safe can be quite a daunting challenge for every parent, but recent research sheds light on how difficult this can be for parents of kiddos with ASD. According to research out of the Kennedy Krieger Institute, children with ASD are at a much higher risk of bolting than their typical siblings, are likely to disappear for longer periods of time, and the risk of this happening continues long past the age that parents would expect.
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Are we putting too much pressure on our kids?
Dreams. Hopes. Wishes.
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12 ways to support families affected by military service
I recently wrote about some of the parented by active military troops. While not all of us have a loved one serving in the military, we can all support the troops and the loved ones they leave behind. There are organized efforts to provide support to these families, especially around holiday time. In addition to these activities, we can provide emotional and practical support in some simple, every day ways.
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What have we learned in the wake of the Penn State scandal?
Recently there has been much discussion about the disturbing events involving a former Penn State football coach and allegations of sexual abuse of several children. Serious questions have been raised in this case regarding the role and responsibility of adults who have direct knowledge or suspicions of child abuse to report their concerns to the proper authorities. Sadly, media reports reveal that the failure of adults to report suspected abuse is not isolated to this one university, sports team or organization.
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3-Year-Old with Sickle Cell Disease Finds Miracle Close to Home
Julian Jarvis has been in danger since the day he was born. Diagnosed with sickle cell disease, he faced a life overshadowed by constant pain, isolation, hospital visits and the potential of life-threatening strokes.
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Distraction can be a useful tool in helping your child cope with a difficult situation
As a Child Life Specialist, I often joke about the proverbial “toolkit” that I seem to have invisibly available when I work with children. In it are a variety of ideas, books, toys, and other items that I have used in the past that can benefit children as they go through painful procedures or times in the hospital that are particularly stressful. One of my best “tools” in this kit of mine is distraction.
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With eating disorders, there's hope and help
At Teen Xpress, we see our fair share of adolescent drama and trauma. Our program, housed at the Howard Phillips Center for Children and Families, works to provide adolescents with medical care, counseling, and case management. Our mission is to focus on students that do not have adequate insurance or do not have insurance at all.
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Taking small steps toward a healthier family
A strong and wholesome family does not simply grow overnight. There is no magic trick for attaining health. A healthy family is healthy because of their day-to-day choices; it’s a lifestyle. Taking small steps toward health will add up and make a big impact over time.
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Costochondritis: Chest Pain That Feels Like a Heart Attack
Although it is exceedingly rare for teens to have heart attacks, it is not uncommon for them to have chest pain. That can be really scary for you and your child. But when the cause of the sharp pain is costochondritis, you can rest easy knowing that your child does not have a dangerous condition.
