Presbyterian Healthcare Services’ Post

In my experience as an adolescent healthcare advocate, I've noticed a concerning trend in some hospitals where pediatric care abruptly ends around the age of 14. Adolescence is a stage filled with unique challenges, both physical and emotional. Transitioning these teens to adult physicians, who might lack specialized training in growth and development, can pose risks to their overall well-being. Pediatricians are not just experts in treating childhood illnesses; they are uniquely equipped to understand the complex needs of adolescents. Puberty, mental health issues, and the transition to adulthood requires a nuanced approach that pediatricians, guided and supported by adolescent medicine specialists, are well-versed in providing. As we advocate for comprehensive healthcare, let's reflect on the importance of continuity in pediatric care throughout adolescence. By fostering a seamless transition from pediatricians to a collaborative team that can includes specialists in adolescent medicine, we can ensure that every teenager receives the personalized and informed care they deserve. Let's prioritize the health and future of our youth.

Winter weather is in full swing, with snow, ice and freezing temperatures expected across the country and experts sounding the alarm about the importance of being prepared. That's especially important for babies and young children, who experts say are particularly sensitive to the effects of extreme weather. “Babies are especially vulnerable to cold due to the fact that they have a large body surface area compared to their size, which causes them to lose heat more rapidly,” Dr. Esther Liu, chair of pediatrics and director of group-based care at University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center, “Additionally, they don’t have the ability to regulate their temperatures as well when they are young,” she adds. According to Dr. Tiorra Ross, a practicing pediatrician in Houston, a lack of communication skills can also complicate matters. “Cold weather is more dangerous to infants and younger children because they cannot communicate to their caregiver their symptoms and express that they are cold." It’s important, then, to bundle up and take other precautions to keep little ones warm. But how much bundling is too much? And how long should kiddos stay outside when the snow is piled up on the ground? As families from Texas to the Midwest bring out their space heaters and snow pants and brace for extreme weather, experts share how parents can best protect their kids. “Getting wet will drop body temperature more because you lose more body heat through wet skin,” she explains. Additionally, wind chill can make a significant difference in staying safe out in the cold. “If (it’s) below -15 degrees Fahrenheit, it’s a good day to play inside. The risk of hypothermia and frostbite is in minutes of exposure,” Dr. Tracy Butler, a pediatrician and medical director at Pediatrix Primary and Urgent Care of Colorado - “Proper clothing and time limits can help avoid this complication.” #childrensafety #children #childcareagency #childcarenannyagency #childcareagency #childcare #cold #stayingwarm #safetyfirst

There are nearly 20 million children with developmental, cognitive, behavioral, and/or #LearningDisorders in the United States alone. There is also a critical shortage of physicians specializing in the treatment of these disorders. This shortage leads to delayed diagnoses, longer wait times for treatment, and poorer outcomes. The July episode of the #YourChildsBrain #podcast on WYPR focuses on this disparity. Dr. Brad Schlaggar, president and CEO, is joined by Dr. Miya Asato, pediatric neurologist and Vice President of Kennedy Krieger's training programs, and Dr. Mary Leppert, developmental pediatrician, to discuss the shortage of specialized pediatricians, what's being done to address it, and what parents can do to ensure their children get the medical care they need: https://ow.ly/cmII50SACBh.

On Day 5 of #candidatecommitmenttokidsweek, there's an issue that means alot to many parents, pediatricians, school nurses and other child advocates but that issue has VERY FEW state ballot initiatives this November. In fact, according to reports, only Colorado has a statewide firearm safety-related ballot question so we need to ask candidates and incumbents how they are going to lead change moving forward: "In 2020, firearm violence overtook motor vehicle accidents as the leading cause of death for children in the United States. What is your plan to end the epidemic of firearm injuries and deaths among children and teens in our country?" Ways to ask this question: 1. Call the candidate's office 2. Attend a town hall 3. Write an oped in a local paper asking all candidates to respond 4. Call in to or email news stations scheduled to interview a candidate 5. Invite candidates to live or zoom community meetings. Again, thanks to the American Academy of Pediatrics for offering questions which I have passed on or adapted. Exercise your rights as a concerned citizen. Ask questions to assess if the local, state, and national candidates #putkids1st.

Excited to share my latest blog post: 'Navigating the Twists and Turns of Toilet Learning: Insights from Dr. Joy.' 🚽 As pediatric professionals, understanding the unique challenges that children with developmental or behavioral differences face during toilet learning is crucial. ✔️💡 Dr. Joy provides expert tips and insights 👀 for a positive and empowering experience. Read the full blog and join the conversation on supporting children's development. 🔗 https://bit.ly/485ig1X #orchidpediatrics #toiletlearning #blogoftheday #behavioralhealth #developmentalpediatrics

This article highlights an important and often overlooked experience that is unfortunately becoming a reality for so many children due to living with health-compromised families! This definitely makes me wonder how many more children could be labeled as “Caregiving Youth” when we account for children providing translating services to adult family members, children required to raise younger siblings due to overworked or uninvolved parents, and children pushed to home-manager roles due to emotionally immature parents. Though my scope with children has been with families financially “well” enough to afford private in-home care, I am not blind to the experiences of parentified children and caregiving youth, having been one myself. Within some childcare positions I’ve witnessed the children taking large care of the other younger siblings, however socioeconomic status seems to be a large determinant of how much of a parentified role children have to take on. Having to step into an adult role as a child can present some useful life lessons- IF developmentally appropriate and well-timed. 👶⏰ It’s difficult to imagine the sheer scope of emotional, physiological, and psychological impediment at a personal level for the children- let alone on a systematic scale where: 👩💻 Caregivers are being overworked 💊 Chronic illness is ineffectively managed for most 🧠 Mental health services are underfunded and often inaccessible Our children deserve better. Our families deserve better. Our caregivers deserve better. I’m glad to see companies like Family First putting so much energy into supporting our youth and families!

It is important to know that a child’s health is very much dependent upon the health of their parents. A pediatrician is a doctor who specializes in the care of children and adolescents. He or she is trained to recognize and treat illnesses and injuries that may affect children and adolescents. A pediatrician is also trained to evaluate the growth, development and overall wellbeing of a child. As a parent, it’s important to know what to expect when it comes to your child’s health and development. https://lnkd.in/eZE8vFkg

‘Communication difficulties and subjective sensory experiences can create challenges for neurodiverse children to communicate when feeling pain.’ Meet Alison, our passionate emergency specialist with a love for paediatrics! She's on a mission to make a difference in the lives of neurodiverse children who come through our doors. Alison's journey, both personal and professional, has shaped her commitment to creating a more welcoming and understanding environment. As a mother of a neurodiverse child herself, she knows the challenges firsthand. ‘How the ED operates largely conflicts with neurodiverse children's needs. I’m talking very bright lights, loud noises, the constant flux of people moving around.’ Alison aims to provide a low-stimulus space for children who need it most when presenting to ED. ‘It's about recognising the unique needs of each child and intervening before things escalate into a meltdown, which is very different to a tantrum.’ ‘We have already implemented tools that help advocate for parents with neurodiverse children who really struggle for their voice to be heard in the health care system.’ ‘Our sensory tools trolley, funded by @The Canberra Hospital Foundation, is packed with goodies to reduce visual and auditory stimuli. From balloons and pinwheels to slime and iPads, we're dedicated to making the ED experience as stress-free as possible.’ ‘Our Neurodiversity Care Plan is a way for parents to let us know the best way for us to communicate with their child, how best to approach them, and what sort of strategies have worked and haven't worked in the past.’ ‘When coming to ED, please let the triage nurse know about your child’s needs, so we can help reduce some of the stress neurodiverse children might face.’ Alison is not only bringing change within our walls but also breaking down medical bias associated with neurodiversity. ‘It's about creating awareness, educating our staff, and fostering a community that understands and supports how we see neurodiverse children.’ Join us on this journey of compassion, understanding, and inclusivity! Together, we can make a positive impact on the lives of neurodiverse children and their families. #NeurodiversityAwareness #InclusiveHealthcare #TeamCHS #NeurodiversityCelebrationWeek

Adolescents with Duchenne: 🌐 Common Challenges of Transitioning to Adulthood Our adolescents with Duchenne face a surplus of barriers when turning into an adult. Not only are common adult responsibilities – like attending school, getting a job, and managing finances – exponentially more complicated for the teens in our community, but they also have the added project of transitioning from pediatric Duchenne care to adult Duchenne care. This medical transition period is far more than just visiting a different office building. There are often cognitive and social-emotional challenges to address at a time when health status may be changing rapidly. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/eDGMZgcc --- For more about adolescents with DMD: https://lnkd.in/erpuPz7x... -Family, Friends and Duchenne https://lnkd.in/gBUF4bzp https://lnkd.in/eqJZXy5a https://lnkd.in/egJPUDt4

🌱 We're passionate about supporting providers with billing their early intervention claims. #EarlyIntervention #ChildDevelopment 👶 Early intervention is key to helping little ones with developmental challenges thrive. From speech to physical therapy, every step is crucial. 🏥 We simplify medical billing for these services, regardless of where they occur - homes, daycares, or specialized centers. Our expertise ensures hassle-free billing, letting healthcare providers focus on care, not paperwork. #HealthcareHeroes 🤗 Let's empower our children's future together. Providers can devote more to care, less to billing complexities. 📞 Reach out to learn how we streamline billing for early childhood therapies. #MedicalBillingSimplified #medicalbilling #medicalcoding #pediatrictherapy #earlyintervention #therapyservices #patientcare #medicalbillingservices