October 3, 2022
July 26, 2022
Tell Me More: How to support alternative communicators
Luke has a unique genetic condition and a happy disposition. He will talk to anyone who shows interest and has time to chat. When Luke was a toddler, expressing his needs was challenging, so mom...
January 28, 2021
How to Prepare for a Child’s Hospital Stay
In the past 14 years, Alex has had more visits to the hospital than to his local park. Alex’s odyssey resulted in a diagnosis of a rare, progressive, neurodegenerative disorder NEDAMSS or IRF2BPL related disorder....
January 4, 2021
Tooth Smarts: Early Preventative Care Improves Smiles for Kids with Disabilities
Parents might not think it’s imperative to be concerned about dental care before a child has teeth, but that simply isn’t true. Since the mouth is where most bacteria enter the body, tooth decay can...
June 24, 2019
A Beginners Guide to Respite Care
Caregiving is the ultimate act of love, but sometimes the most loving thing to do is take a break. Respite care can provide occasional time away for caregivers to focus on their mental health and...
June 4, 2019
Benefits, Risks and Limitations of Genetic Testing
People consider genetic testing for many reasons, such as having a child with special needs, having a family history of a disorder, planning for pregnancy or simple curiosity. Here is important information to consider if...
April 25, 2019
Finding the Right Balance
Ringing in the ears. Motion sickness. Unsteady walking. Difficulty focusing. If your child has these symptoms, you may be struggling to make sense of them. Fortunately, there’s a place that can help. It is estimated...
October 22, 2018
Is Your Family Prepared for a Disaster?
Last year various regions of California were affected by a multitude of fires, floods, earthquakes and storms. Is your family prepared if disaster strikes San Diego? While impossible to predict all eventualities, disaster preparedness experts...
June 7, 2018
You Will Probably Be Fine: Tips for parents of kids with anxiety
When I was 8 or 9 years old, I saw a production of The Nutcracker on TV and fell in love with the idea of ballet. I pirouetted around the house night and day, with...
May 29, 2018
Zero to 6: Critical Age Windows that Impact Healthy Child Development
There are two very important early childhood windows that parents should be aware of from the moment a child is born: the 0-6 month window and the 0-6 year window (sometimes referred to as Birth...
March 12, 2018
What to Know About Getting Emergency Prescriptions During Disasters
There are many variables involved in obtaining prescription medications during times of disaster, including the overall state of the emergency, type of medication, federal regulations, insurance authorization, corporate pharmacy policies, transportation issues, electronic access, phone...
July 11, 2017
Treating ADHD: More than just medication
Inattention. Hyperactivity. Impulsivity. While these are common behaviors among children, for kids with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), these behaviors interfere with daily life. They contribute to poor school performance, trouble making and keeping friends,...
May 22, 2017
Sweet Sleep for Special Babies
For babies with special needs, sound sleep requires more than a lullaby and a kiss. According to pediatrician William Sears, MD, author of The Baby Sleep Book and The Fussy Baby Book, infants with special...
January 24, 2017
The Brain and the Digestive Tract
The Brain and the Digestive Tract: Recognizing the difference between a fussy eater and a problem feeder Kids with ADHD, OCD, Tourette’s, Asperger’s, Autism, learning disabilities, and other neurological issues are all problem eaters, to...
December 19, 2016
A Rare Diagnosis, Sonya’s Story with CDKL5
On February 11, 2015 we welcomed our fourth child into the world about two weeks early. She appeared completely healthy, weighing 6 lbs. 6 oz. We were surprised she was a girl, as my husband...
July 25, 2016
Neurodiversity: A Quick Primer
For a very long time, autistic children were seen as broken versions of “normal” kids. It hurts my heart to type that sentence, but I’m so grateful to live during a time when that paradigm...
June 10, 2016
My Child Has Oppositional Defiant Disorder: 6 Behavioral Signs to Look For
I knew my son was different when his tantrums lasted hours at a time. We knew we needed more help than our pediatrician could offer. Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) is like having a child who...
September 15, 2015
Dysgraphia: Make Sure Your Child has the Write Stuff to Succeed at School
Does your child avoid homework or become distressed when homework involves printing or writing? Does he have an awkward pencil grasp? Is his printing or handwriting difficult to decipher? Can he communicate his ideas verbally...
May 13, 2015
5 Tips for Dealing with Picky Eaters
Feeding issues can be difficult for parents of kids with special needs. Children can develop finicky eating habits for many different reasons, including sensory and taste aversions, poor muscle control and gut issues, among other...
April 6, 2015
Big Red Safety Box from the National Autism Association
The National Autism Association (NAA) has created a safety toolkit called the Big Red Safety Box for families as part of as part of their continuing efforts to prevent wandering-related injuries and deaths in the...
March 4, 2015
6 Ways to Prevent Wandering-Related Incidents
Every child throws caution to the wind, discovering her world. She explores, touches, tastes and climbs, using her inquisitive nature in ways that have worried parents for centuries. Parents of children with special needs know...
February 5, 2015
Diabetes: Do Not Let Symptoms Go Unchecked
Seven million people develop Diabetes every year. Type I Diabetes can strike people of any age, even babies, so if your child has any of the symptoms listed below, seek medical attention. Type I Diabetes...
October 30, 2014
Safeguard Your Child Against Wandering
Wandering is often a concern with children with social communication disorders or developmental delay. The walk to school, shopping at the mall, and large scale social events like county fairs and community clean up days...
March 6, 2014
Rady Children’s Researchers Evaluate Kawasaki Disease Therapy
Kawasaki Disease (KD) is a severe childhood disease that many parents, even some doctors, mistake for an inconsequential viral infection. If not diagnosed or treated in time, it can lead to irreversible heart damage. Signs...