Kids Considered™ Podcast

First 5 California’s- Stronger Starts campaign to educate families of young children on the harmful effects toxic stress and adverse childhood experiences (ACES). We discuss what ACES and toxic stress are and how these experiences can change our physiology and put us at risk for negative health outcomes. We talk about all the ways caregivers can show up for kids and reduce their risk for toxic stress- from singing & play to self-care – we can all work together to ensure all kids get a strong start.

We are joined by Dr. Nadine Burke Harris, pediatrician and the former Surgeon General of California and Jackie Thu-Huong Wong, the Executive Director of First 5 California.

Photo from parentmap.com

Childhood Grief

May is mental health awareness month. This month, we are revisiting past episodes on pediatric mental health.

In this episode, we are joined by Emily McDaniel — a certified child life specialist at UC Davis Children’s Hospital —in the discussion of grief after the death of a loved one. While death may be a difficult concept to talk about with children, it is important to consider the developmental stage of your child and to make sure you have the support of a partner in the discussion. It is important to be open with your child and reassure them that it is okay to be emotional during this time. We share some tips on how you can prepare your child for what to expect after a death, help your child memorialize their loved ones, and signs to look out for that may mean they need extra support from professionals. Be sure to tune in to learn about grief and how to help your children through the process.

This episode was written by Emily McDaniel, Dr. Dean Blumberg, Dr. Lena van der List & Abby Michalak.

We thank Emily McDaniel, MA, CCLS, RWWP, Child Life Specialist at the UC Davis Child Life and Creative Arts Therapy Department, for joining us for this episode, although Drs. Dean and Lena take full responsibility for any errors or misinformation.

Supplemental Information:

• UC Davis Children’s Hospital Child Life and Creative Arts Therapy Bereavement Resources
• UC Davis Children’s Hospital booklet Supporting Children Through Grief and Loss
• Healthy Children How Children Understand Death & What You Should Say
• Healthy Children Five Ways to Help Your Child Remember and Celebrate Loved Ones
• Healthy Children Childhood Grief: When to Seek Additional Help
• The Dougy Center Grief Resources & Toolkits
• The National Alliance for Children’s Grief

Photo from Healthy Children

May is mental health awareness month. This month we revisit past episodes on mental health, in this episode reviewing teen anxiety.

Anxiety is the most common mental health disorder diagnosed in childhood. And there are many different types of anxiety disorders. In this podcast we discuss generalized anxiety and panic disorder in teens. Including what behaviors are suggestive of anxiety, how its diagnosed, and why cognitive behavioral therapy is so effective for re-framing anxious feelings and behaviors.

This episode written by Drs. Lena van der List and Dean Blumberg.

We thank Dr. Dawn Blacker, psychologist at the UC Davis CAARE Diagnostic and Treatment Center, for reviewing this episode, although Drs. Lena and Dean take full responsibility for any errors or misinformation.

Supplemental material:

• AAP News Up to 30% of youths will develop anxiety disorders; how you can help
• KidsHealth Anxiety Disorders
• American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Your Adolescent – Anxiety and Avoidant Disorders
• American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Anxiety Disorders Resource Center
• Anxiety Canada My Anxiety Plan (MAP) for Children and Teens
• Oxford Clinical Psychology Treatments That Work Series
• Meditation

Photo from Medical Daily

In this episode we review scoliosis, a common pediatric skeletal abnormality that results in a lateral curvature of the spine. We review the types of scoliosis, causes and focus our discussion on the most common type- adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. We also discuss how scoliosis is diagnosed, what degree of spinal curvatures we worry about, and how we predict whether the scoliosis will worsen over time. We review which people may benefit from treatment with bracing or even surgery.

We we would like to thank Dr. Rolando Roberto, Pediatric spine surgeon at UC Davis Children’s Hospital for reviewing todays episode, although Dr. Lena and Dr. Dean take full responsibility for any errors or misinformation

Photo from Spine Universe

In this episode we are joined by Dr. Elizabeth Moore to discuss the important topic of safe sleep in infants. We review evidence-based strategies for reducing the risk of sudden unexplained infant death (SIDS) including the importance of placing an infant on their back to sleep, ensuring a flat, firm sleep surface with nothing in the crib or bassinet and the protective role of breastfeeding and pacifiers. We also review popular misconceptions and sleep topics like smart bassinets and cardiorespiratory monitors. This episode will ensure every new parent and infant sleeps easier!

Photo from HealthyChildren.org