The University of Vermont Medical Center HealthSource blog is your leading source for children’s health articles and news from industry experts. Read through a collection of children’s health articles and tips on a variety of topics such as mental health, behavioral issues, nutrition, safety, development and more. The HealthSource children’s health blog features an array of regular authors and contributors from the medical world including doctors, nutritionists, nurse practitioners and healthcare experts.
Parents frequently ask me if their toddler’s high energy will mean they have an attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. Let me pay attention to this concern and provide some information on energy levels and children. Toddlers and preschoolers usually have lots of energy. This energy is not due to poor parenting issues or even […]
April is National Autism Awareness Month. Although ‘awareness’ is important, so is inclusion, acceptance, understanding, respect, and advocacy. What is Autism? Autism (or Autism Spectrum Disorder) is a neurodevelopmental disorder. It presents with a range of impairments in social relatedness and communication. These are accompanied by restricted interests and repetitive mannerisms. We identify signs of […]
Poisonings are something we can all take steps to prevent. First and foremost, you can access services provided by the nation’s poison centers on the toll-free help line, 1-800-222-1222. Every day, the Northern New England Poison Center helps people of all ages in Vermont, from infants to older adults, providing fast, expert advice and assurance. […]
‘Different thinking is where progress and invention and discoveries lie.’ –Dr. Temple Grandin April is Autism Awareness Month, an opportunity to celebrate the infinite prism that is the mind. By embedding a culture of Patient and Family-Centered Care at the UVM Medical Center, we now have the privilege of connecting with individuals who are generously […]
Parents have been pinning me down with questions about what to say to their teen who wants a piercing or tattoo. We should no longer associate piercing and tattooing in teens with their being at an increased risk for using tobacco, alcohol, or drugs. Nowadays teenagers see body art such as piercing or tattooing as […]
Parents have been crying out to me for help in managing their toddler’s tantrums. Well, I don’t want anyone pulling their hair out, so let me provide some information on toddlers and tantrums. Tantrums are an expected behavior for young children. They can happen when children are hungry, bored, over-tired, or over-stimulated in the setting […]
As a child passenger safety specialist, I generally work with parents and caregivers to help install and use their children’s car seats and booster seats in the family vehicle. I don’t get many questions about children’s safety on airplanes, but it’s an important aspect of child passenger safety. I’d like to share some information for […]
If you have a child with inflammatory bowel disease, we have a group of parents, patients, and caregivers for you to join. Who We Are. The IBD Family Advisory Council began one year ago out of a desire to meet, support, and discuss ways to improve care for our children. When our children were first […]
Recently parents have been asking me for a good dose of information about over-the-counter cold medicines. So let me prescribe some advice to avoid common errors that can occur when giving over-the-counter medicines to children. Over the Counter Medicines: What Parents Need to Know First, know that medicines come in different strengths and preparations depending […]
Parents have been asking me an earful of questions about their child having so much earwax. Let me lend an ear and some advice on this problem. Earwax: Yes, it has a purpose Earwax, though not the most pleasant thing to look at, is actually there for a purpose. Glands in the outer ear canal […]
