Sesame Street Launches Autism Initiative

Sesame Street, a show you loved when you were a kid, and one that your kids enjoy today, has launched a major autism initiative. The program is called “See Amazing in All Children”. It is designed to foster greater understanding about autism for all children and families. There is a stigma placed upon autism that need not be there. People who do not understand autism, or who do not have anyone in their lives that has it, may harbor many misconceptions about it. The goal of the Sesame Street autism initiative is to help de-stigmatize autism (which affects one in … Continue reading

Studies Show Chelation Doesn’t Help Autism

Research led by Tonya Davis from Baylor University in Waco, Texas, found that chelation therapy does not help with autism. Chelation therapy carries some safety concerns. Parents who are considering having their child go through chelation therapy for autism should keep this in mind. Chelation therapy is something that started to be used as an alternative treatment for autism based upon the theory that autism was caused by mercury poisoning. Generation Rescue believes that autism is caused by vaccinations. SafeMinds believes that autism is caused by mercury, and other toxicants, from vaccines or environmental exposure. The Mayo Clinic says: Chelation … Continue reading

Researchers Find Autism Genes

In a recent press release from the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, it was declared that recent research is showing that autism spectrum disorders may be linked to “Combination of Inherited and New Genetic Mutations Acting Together.” Quoted in the press release: “We are finding that both inherited and new, or de novo, genetic mutations are scattered throughout the genome and we suspect that differentcombinations of these variations contribute to autism susceptibility,” saidco-author Maja Bucan, Ph.D., professor of Genetics at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and Chair of the Steering committee for Autism Speaks’ Autism Genetic Resource Exchange (AGRE).” … Continue reading

Herbal Supplements and Your Young Child

Many parents swear by herbal supplements for their young children to do everything from shorten a cold to reduce symptoms of autism. But behind the hype are some important things you should know about herbal supplements, if you want to keep your little one safe. First parents need to understand that herbal supplements are not regulated very rigidly. In fact, the amount or concentration of an herb in a supplement can vary per dose. For the safer herbs, this may not matter much. But some herbs can prove dangerous. Always inform your pediatrician if you are trying herbal supplements for … Continue reading

Chelation and Autism

Most parents of young children with autism are constantly looking for answers, reasons and solutions for their child’s autism. A controversial treatment for autism is chelation therapy. Chelating agents are administered to children to remove any mercury in the blood, mercury that many parents believe is the cause or at least a contributing factor to autism. The thought is that removing the mercury from the child will improve the autistic symptoms. While there are no proven studies for this treatment, many parents seek it out anyway, figuring that it won’t hurt to try. But in fact, I believe that it … Continue reading

Obesity a Problem with Preschoolers, New Study Says

A new study was released that shows that one out of every five four-ear-olds is obese. This information is startling even to the researchers. Furthermore, there was a lot of disparity with obesity and race, even at this early preschool age. Here is what the researchers found. More than half a million four-year-olds are obese Obesity is the most common in American Indian children, who are twice as likely to be obese as are white children. Obesity is also prevalent among four-year-olds who are of Hispanic or black heritage. The study is an important one because obesity in early childhood … Continue reading

Baby’s First Check Up 4

Your baby’s first check up is an involved examination that allows your baby’s doctor to asses the overall health of your infant, as well as check for anything that is serious or might develop into something serious. In this series, I have been taking a look at everything that is involved in your baby’s first check up. Hips You may see your baby’s doctor take a hold of your baby’s hips and move them back and forth and around the hip joints. I always thought this looked rough and reminded me of getting a chicken ready to roast. But this … Continue reading

Baby’s First Check Up 3

What does your baby’s doctor need to examine for the first check up? We have been going through the different areas of that first examination and talking about your baby’s healthy body. Chest Your baby’s doctor will listen for a while to your baby’s chest. First of all, the doctor is checking the heart beat to make sure that there are no abnormal sounds or beats and that the rhythm of the heart is just right. Possible structural problems may be evident when listening to the heart. The lungs also get a good checkup, as your baby’s doctor makes sure … Continue reading

Baby’s First Check Up 2

Within 24 hours of birth, your baby will have his or her first official check up. This is an important examine that will let you know the health of your baby and if any intervention needs to be done while you are still in the hospital. Yesterday, I covered some of the areas that your baby’s doctor will cover. Now, let us continue. Nose and Mouth Your baby’s doctor will check the inside of your baby’s mouth. One thing that will be examined is whether or not the front of the tongue is attached too tightly to the floor of … Continue reading

Baby’s First Check Up

Your baby will get his or her first official check up within 24-hours of birth. Generally this takes place while you are still in the hospital (if you had a hospital birth). If you are up to it, you can ask to be present, and it will be interesting to learn all about your baby’s tiny body. What occurs at this check up and what is your baby’s doctor observing? General Health Your doctor will first assess your baby’s general health. Was your baby full term or pre-term? Does your baby have good muscle tone and can lay in the … Continue reading