December 8, 2020
What is Early Intervention? Why is it important? When and how should you refer? What? Early intervention provides free, evidence-based physical, cognitive, social, and adaptive therapies for children under 3 years of age with developmental delays. Why? Therapeutic early intervention services have been shown to improve developmental outcomes, mitigate behavioral concerns, and increase caregiver confidence. When?…
Read moreDecember 1, 2020
Many families will complain about a witching hour – a time in the late afternoon/early evening where their baby is crying, fussy and difficult to soothe. When a baby is overtired, their body – like ours – produces a variety of hormones to stay awake, and once a baby has these elevated levels, they are…
Read moreNovember 24, 2020
This year has been particularly difficult for many families and also for many providers. However, during this time of thanksgiving we want to share the research on the benefits of giving thanks and how this can help not only you, but your patients and their families. Gratitude is the quality of being appreciative or thankful, and research has…
Read moreNovember 17, 2020
It may sound silly to talk about silliness in the exam room, but there is real science that thinking in creative ways helps children to build cognitive flexibility. Making new and surprising connections allows children to develop executive function skills that they need for their overall health and wellness. Something as small as saying you…
Read moreNovember 10, 2020
Offering children choices in the exam room allows children to feel a sense of control over what is happening to them. This is essential in supporting autonomy. Offering choices also makes it more likely that children will comply with directions. For example, when you ask a child which ear you should look in first, it makes…
Read moreNovember 3, 2020
Positive opposites are a concept you can discuss, model or praise in well-child visits. Every unwanted behavior has a positive opposite! By replacing “don’t” with “please do,” you can think of yourself as helping a child learn how to behave – not just tell them what not to do. And, you are giving them the…
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