GENETIC ALLIANCE BY BRIANA MITTLEMAN As Newborn Screening Awareness Month kicks off in September, it is important we reflect on the many advocates, communities, healthcare professionals, and state programs that work everyday to improve this public health program. Yet, in September, we honor one of the many champions of change in newborn screening: parents. Newborn screening reaches nearly all of the four million babies born in the United States, with thousands of babies receiving newborn […]
FROM THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS Parents and families are encouraged to model healthy behaviors for children, and pediatricians are in a good position to help families find ways to do this together. In updated recommendations, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) offers practical steps families can take to help children maintain a healthy weight. The advice comes as part of an AAP clinical report published in the July 2015 issue of Pediatrics. The report, […]
JOHNNY MAC SOLDIERS FUND BY CHRISTINE REDMAN-WALDEYER “There are 20,000 children of fallen soldiers who are out there and need help. This number will only increase over the next 10 years; there is a half a billion dollar need.” One of the first items on our bucket list for the summer included a family vacation to Mt. Vernon. My six-year-old became increasingly aware of our history this past year in kindergarten and expressed his desire […]
BY MARY ANN RACCOSTA What I realized and experienced over the 16 years of having two special needs children, is that for my family to travel, we needed to be efficient researchers. I always envisioned traveling to different cities, parts of the country and even international places with my children. Yet, when my sons were born, along with them came an entirely complicated list of prerequisites for traveling. How fast can I make it to […]
BY NATASHA CORNIN Find inclusive or targeted activities welcoming of special needs kids, where we and our kids feel safe among others and create enriching experiences. Summer has arrived, and with it the challenges presented as we seek to maintain our special needs kids’ familiar routines while taking advantage of the seasonal activities available. Whether your child has a 10-month or 12-month program may impact your priorities as it relates to the quantity and cost […]
