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  • They Look Alike, So How Can I Tell if It’s Asthma or Allergies?

    Asthma and allergies are two of the leading causes of chronic illness in children, and the number children experiencing those conditions is increasing due to a range of potential factors. Although asthma and allergies can interact, as well as share common symptoms—including coughing and shortness of breath—it’s important to understand the difference between them. Still, asthma and allergies present in different ways in different age groups. So it’s best to consult with your pediatrician or an allergist if symptoms do arise.

  • Early Intervention: a window of opportunity to help your child thrive

    What is Early Intervention?

    Early Intervention is a federal program that originated in the 1975 Education of All Handicapped Children Act. It is currently Part H of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the law that helps states provide services to babies and toddlers under the age of 36 months who have been diagnosed with a disability, who are not learning and growing at the same rate as other children their age, or who are at risk of having developmental delays in their learning and growing.

    What is the goal of Early Intervention?

    All infants and toddlers grow and develop uniquely. However, some children may show significant delays in attaining their developmental milestones at a young age. The goal of early intervention is to prevent future difficulties and promote the necessary conditions for healthy development.  Early Intervention programs minimize and in some cases prevent delays in development of infants and toddlers with disabilities. They can decrease the need for special education and related services when a child enters school, and increase the child’s independence.

    Why is it important to “Intervene Early?”

    Research has shown that the time between birth and 36 months of age is a critical developmental period in a child’s life. These months offer a window of opportunity for learning that will not be available later. Children whose special needs are identified and addressed during these crucial early years have a better chance of reaching their full potential.

    How do I know if my child will benefit from Early Intervention?

    Does your child have special health or learning needs? Was your child born with a very low birth weight? Do you think your child is slow to begin sitting up, crawling, walking or talking? Does your child have vision, hearing or feeding problems? Does your child have trouble relating to other people? Does your child have a condition that may cause him/her to have a future delay in development?

    What services are included in Early Intervention?

    Early Intervention Service programs and funding are different in each state. Typically, Early Intervention programs are designed to address five areas of development with specific services customized to meet each child’s particular needs. These programs take a family-centered approach, and are usually provided in the child’s “natural environment” (home or child care center). Cognitive development: how a child thinks/learns. An Early Intervention specialist/teacher may provide home-based learning enrichment or preschool classroom services may be recommended to address these needs. Physical development: includes fine and gross motor developmental milestones, vision and hearing. Occupational and/or physical therapy may be warranted to address these needs. Children may also be followed by services for children with low vision, or for the deaf/hard-of-hearing. Language, speech and communication: these skills may be further evaluated and treated by a speech-language pathologist Social-emotional development: these skills may warrant the need for evaluation and treatment by a behavioral therapist, counselor or developmental psychologist Adaptive/self-help skills and development: these skills may be further evaluated and treated by an occupational therapist.

    How can I learn more about Early Intervention in my area?

    Families and Advocates Partnership for Education web site: www.fape.org The Developmental Center for Infants and Children at the Howard Philips Center (Early Steps) 407.317.7430 ext. 2121 Florida Directory of Early Childhood Services: 1.800.654.4440  www.centraldirectory.org www.zerotothree.org

  • Spare the Rod and Don't Spank the Child

    Spare the rod, spoil the child. Most parents have heard this advice at some point. The idea is if you don’t spank your child when they misbehave, you’re setting them up to continue that behavior. Sixty-five percent of Americans approve of spanking children—and this trend has been increasing since 1990.

  • Is going "gluten-free" just a fad?

    I remember when my great-aunt Sally came to visit, she would often bring her own bread and a tub of margarine or stick of butter. If we went out to eat to a place like Pizza Hut, she would order a salad with no croutons. When the salad arrived with croutons, she would send it back and have them remake it without them. Aunt Sally had celiac disease; a condition that damages the lining of the small intestine, causing malabsorption of nutrients after a protein called “gluten” is consumed. Even the tiniest crumb of a gluten-containing food caused Aunt Sally a lot pain.

    How common is celiac disease?

    An estimated 1% of the population in the United States has celiac disease, and 97% of those affected by celiac disease are undiagnosed. In Florida, that means approximately 195,000 people have celiac disease, but fewer than 6,000 of them know it. In one study looking at the prevalence of celiac disease in the U.S., 29 of the 35 people found with celiac disease did not know they had it prior to the study. 

  • Why Well-Child Checkups Are so Important for Your Child

    This blog was written in conjunction with pediatric medical resident, Ashley Bedner, DO.

  • The Healing Tree

    offers free therapy to help children overcome abuse.

  • LONG-TERM STUDY OF TRIPTORELIN IN GIRLS WITH CENTRAL PRECOCIOUS PUBERTY

    LONG-TERM STUDY OF TRIPTORELIN IN GIRLS WITH CENTRAL PRECOCIOUS PUBERTY

  • Phase 2 Study of Tovorafenib (DAY101) in Relapsed and Refractory Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis

    Phase 2 Study of Tovorafenib (DAY101) in Relapsed and Refractory Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis

  • It’s Time for School Sports, Do Your Kids Sign Up?

    Thinking about getting your kids involved in organized sports, but concerned they don’t have the skills? Or maybe that they’re too young? Not to worry, says the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). In June, the organization released a report recommending that parents enroll their children in organized sports, no matter what their skill level.

  • Nursing Excellence

    You can be assured of the high quality of care in a hospital that meets the gold standard in nursing: The American Nurses Credentialing Center’s (ANCC) Magnet Recognition Program®. The ANCC Magnet® Recognition Program is awarded for superior quality in nursing care. Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and Orlando Health Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies has joined the ranks of fewer than 400 out of a potential 6,000 U.S. healthcare organizations to be recognized with this honor.