Listen with your Eyes
We are overwhelmed with THINGS! Things that demand our attention. Parents have a skill for seeing what their kids don’t even think they can see 🙂 Sometimes though, we must STOP and give our full attention to what we are being told. Take the time to LOOK at your child while they are talking to you tonight at bedtime.
Let them know we are Listening
A-U-T-I-S-M: on the outside looking in.
Autism is a spectrum disorder. That means that each child can be affected in different ways and each child can be helped in different ways. As the number of children diagnosed with autism rises all over the world, chances are, right here in the Caribbean, you already know a family who is challenged with this disorder.
We all know that saying things like…
Why don’t you leave your child at home?
Your child is frightening my children!
I am so sorry for you.
Why don’t you try the gluten-free, live-food diet?
…are all painful, insensitive and unnecessary statements. But what SHOULD you say or do when a friend tells you their child has been diagnosed with autism? We have a few suggestions.
A Ask how you can help
U Understand how the family feels
T Teach your children about autism
I Individualize the Issues
S Support the cause and share all you learn
M Make memories: Celebrate the joys! Share the sorrows.
Ask how you can help
Never assume you know what the family needs. Sometimes they may need a babysitter for a few hours. Maybe they need help with the non autistic children, to allow them to spend more time with their autistic child. Sometimes offering to visit the house when there is no babysitter is just the ticket to include a Mommy who may be feeling overwhelmed or left out. A listening ear, offered with a non-judgemental heart, is a rare and precious gift. Do you have one to share?
Understand how the family feels
Allow the family to lead the way. Ask them how they feel. Not every day is a ‘bad day’. Children with autism develop, learn and change and just like parenting any child; parenting a child with autism has its ups and downs. Never assume that parents are feeling sorry for themselves.
Teach other children
Children can be cruel. Children are always curious. Teach other children how they can play with children with autism. Teach your children to accommodate and interact with your friend’s child with autism. Prevent bullying and discrimination. Teach kindness.
Individualize the Issues
Let the parent and family know that you do NOT know about THEIR child’s disorder. Even if you have experience with an individual with autism before, every child is different. Ask them to tell you more. What makes their child different? Is there something you should do to prepare for when that child is coming to visit? Is there anything they cannot or should not eat? Become aware of the special needs and be supportive in a meaningful way.
Support and share what you learn
Support the cause in any way you can: can you help with the website, sell raffle tickets, or simply tell another friend how to help. Share everything you know. Be a voice for the cause.
Make Memories
Children with autism can achieve goals. They can develop. They can be naughty. They are children, before they are children with autism. Parents of children with autism can be great parents. They can be interactive and fun parents. They can be tired and frustrated parents. They enjoy parenting. They love their children. Celebrate the JOYS, Share the Sorrows. Your presence and caring can mean so much to a family that often feels misunderstood, rejected and alone.
Autism Awareness Month in Jamaica has begun again and the national and individual challenges for children with autism and their parents continue. Let’s do all we can to support them.
We at Tots to Teens are happy to have a team of therapists who offer Assessment, Counselling Psychotherapy (for talkers) and Art Therapy (especially for “non-talkers” or pre-verbal clients) to children and families of children with CHRONIC ILLNESSES. We are working to be an excellent source of professional help to Jamaican families dealing with these sensitive and specific issues. Call us at the Office of Tots to Teens: 978.8535 or email us for more information info@caribbeantotstoteens.com.
Learn MoreNew research shows black American children at HIGHEST risk of being overweight
In particular, children and teens who currently have higher obesity rates would require larger energy gap reductions [more dietary restriction and more exercise] to reach the obesity rate goal. For instance, based on their current obesity rates, white youths would need a 46-calorie reduction, on average, in their energy gap to reach the goals. But given their higher obesity rates in 2008-2010, the average reduction needed to close the energy gap for Mexican-American youths is 91 calories and, for black youths, it is 138 calories. Youths in lower-income communities also need greater reductions than their peers in higher-income areas, again due to higher rates of obesity. Additionally, an earlier study by several of the same researchers found that the problem is especially acute for teens who are already overweight.
The solutions are the same: it take time more than money, to make lifestyle changes.
Learn MoreThe authors outline several policy strategies that could help to close the daily energy gap for American youths. For instance, they point to research showing that:
- replacing all sugar-sweetened beverages in school with water and not consuming any additional sugary beverages outside of school could reduce the energy gap by 12 calories per day;
- participating in a comprehensive physical education program could eliminate 19 calories per day among children ages 9-11; and
- engaging in an after-school activity program for children in grades K-5 results in an additional 25 calories expended per day.
Parents, immunise your children
Vaccination Week in the Americas will be taking place April 21-28, 2012.
Do you have questions about regular immunizations? Do you have specific fears? Please share with us. Let us find the facts and understand together. Immunization is not personal its a matter of PUBLIC HEALTH and WELLNESS
Parents, immunise your children – Health – Jamaica Gleaner – Wednesday | April 4, 2012.
Learn More
Policy Statement—Media Education ~American Academy of Pediatrics Sept 2010
There are numerous studies that demonstrate the dangers of over exposure to media for children. In this revised document from the AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) new research is brought o bear on the rapidly expanding problem of electronic media and child development.
Language delay, Obesity and Aggression are only a few of the developmental problems directly related to excessive exposure to media in childhood and adolescence.
Policy Statement—Media Education.
IMPORTANT TAKE HOME TIPS for parents include
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Toddlers under age 2 years SHOULD NOT Be using electronic media AT ALL. (special report)
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NO television, video games or electronic play (ePlay) devices should be in the child’s bedroom.
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Limit and focus time spent with electronic media: No more than 2 hours a day should be spent in ePlay; electronic entertainment for any child between 2 years and 16 years old. The TV should never be a babysitter.
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Be a good example to your children: let them see you engaging in other forms of entertainment. Make it a point for family discussion adventure.
Change involves the whole family and creative, consistent thought, but it doesn’t have to be expensive. Healthy Lifestyle choices today build a Healthy Future for tomorrow.
Learn MoreParents influence whether children eat fruits, vegetables
Most children learn to like and eat vegetables before age 5 years.
Most children learn their eating habits directly from their parents plate.
NOW is the time.
A few important tips:
1) Children who SEE their parents eating fruits and vegetables are more likely to eat fruits and vegetables.
2) If you dont buy sodas and sugar drinks, there will be none available!
This sounds simple, but it is is a common area of weakness.
3) Make each fruit and vegetable FUN: What’s the colour? Is it cooked or raw.
See which style of preparation your child prefers and encourage them to experiment.
4) Make each plate colourful.
Learn MoreOur Food is Making us Sick
Have you ever wondered why some many children today are allergic to “every little thing”?
This video will open your eyes to WHY food allergies are on the rise. What are you feeding your children? Is it real food? Do you know HOW every day products on supermarket shelves could be making them sick?
Robyn O’Brien speaks clear and strong about Food Allergies and Genetically Modified Food
Interesting informative Ted X discussion on genetic engineering, food allergies and more
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWXrRftyOMY&w=560&h=315]
REAL FOOD, IS THAT TOO MUCH TO ASK?
Learn More
Fancy or Fretful
It’s Friday! Go get fancy.
I must be totally paranoid: I see 10 choking hazards right there 😐 I need help.
Learn MorePreparing for the Doctors Visit 2: What to carry
What to carry:
Doctor’s Documents (The Doc’s docs)
Be sure to walk with all of your “Doc’s docs”. It is important to keep all documents related to your child’s health together in a waterproof “ziplock” style bag. Each child should have a clearly labelled bag of their own. These bags must be stored in a safe place with easy access.
The bag must contain:
1) The Child Health and Development PASSPORT is a must!
- If your child was born before Sept 2010, then their immunization card is necessary,
- If your baby was issued a health passport at UHWI include that too. Since it is quite big you might need to fold it and use a bigger bag to contain it completely.
2) Any casualty card, docket number or appointment card for any hospital or clinic to which the child has been. This will make it much easier to co-ordinate care and prevent unnecessary retesting.
3) Any unfilled or repeat prescriptions and a list of all current medications (if you don’t wish to bundle them all up and carry them with you) the information on the boxes is quite valuable: strength of medication, dose and frequency may all require adjustment to improve response. Walk with everything!
4) Insurance cards: this is a great way to make sure you don’t mix up Daddy and junior’s cards… not an uncommon occurrence.[[MORE]]
The bag may also include:
- Copies of results for previously done tests, or a note with the date, facility attended and impression of the test.
- Summary notes from any other physicians seeing your child, especially if they have a chronic illness.
- A notebook: with all your questions jotted down from at home. This will also allow you to record important points from the visit: scheduled instructions, flag signs of concern, points for follow-up, and other tips. Some “Techies” keep this lists on their smart phones 🙂
- Pictures or a videos of anything that has triggered your visit, made you concerned or is simply hard to explain. This can be anything from a funny sound, an unusual lump, a strange bowel action. Never be shy to share it with your doctor. A picture is worth a thousand words.
TOYS
You are the child’s primary playmate during the wait AND during the office visit when you are trying to communicate with the doctor. Be prepared! Carry two or three sturdy, under-used toys to increase the appeal of “re-discovery” when they are revealed in the waiting room. An old handbag, with a few small toys tucked inside, can be an excellent waiting-room distraction for toddlers and other young children.
If your child is old enough to read, a book may hold their attention, giving you just enough time to speak to the doctor before they interrupt you.
An ill child usually appreciates their own comfort toy to hug and hold.
FOOD AND CLEAN –UP
Children should not be allowed to have snacks while waiting. It is best not to eat or drink for one hour before coming to the doctor. This will make the examination more comfortable, especially while lying flat. In an acute illness, especially trauma, your child may have to be “starved” even longer. This is to ensure safe administration of strong pain-killers or sedation if, for example, suturing (stitches) or wound cleaning is required. Save the food and drink for after the visit. Hide it where they cannot help themselves to it.
For babies and toddlers take any food and changing items that you would normally travel with for a two hour trip.
Regardless of your child’s age, it is best to carry a change of underwear and a plastic (waterproof) bag. Many children have accidents while at the doctors’ office. Having a change of clothes will help to minimize the stress of a mishap.
Nobody likes to have to go to the doctor, but if you are prepared,
the whole visit can be a truly helpful, healing experience
and a learning opportunity for all involved.