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How to Check On Your Child’s Mental Health By Bradley S. Jerson, PhD: Many young people struggle with anxiety or depression, but don’t know how to ask for help. They may not realize that it’s okay to talk about what they’re going through. Or they may have trouble finding the words to describe their experience. Parents, caregivers and other trusted

5 Things You Might Not Know About Pride Month By Connecticut Children’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Team Happy Pride! As we come together to celebrate the LGBTQIA community, let’s also learn about some surprising facts behind Pride Month (June) and why we celebrate…

Beyond Spinal Muscular Atrophy: Fifi’s Story Eight-year-old Fifi is, in her mom’s words, a “firestorm of positivity.” Every day, she rises to the challenges of her rare disease with determination, kindness, and a knack for brightening even the darkest days. Through a clinical trial that recently concluded at Connecticut

10 Quick Tips to Help Your Child Reset From Stress By Kelly Ann Maynes, PsyD: When our electronics act up, we can usually just unplug to reset them. If only our emotions were so simple. But during moments of stress, there are still some trusty methods for kids and teens – and parents – to calm themselves down. We could all use the practice! Connecticut

16 Comfort Items to Bring to Your Child’s Doctor Appointment There are a few tried-and-true ways to prepare your child for a doctor’s visit: Talk about it ahead of time. Pretend through play. Practice calming exercises like making a coping toolbox. Best of all? Bring a few comfort items! (Your child will love this step.) Put your child in

Beyond Crouzon Syndrome: Emma’s Story By Monique France, Emma’s mom and Clinical Care Coordinator, Craniofacial Team at Connecticut Children’s When our daughter Emma was born, I was fortunate to work as a nurse in the Division of Otolaryngology (ENT) at Connecticut Children’s. Almost immediately we noticed that her

Beyond Wrist Surgery: Arianna’s Story When she fell hard after whiffing on a ball during club soccer practice, 14-year-old Arianna P. nearly laughed out loud through the pain. “Here we go again,” she said to her mother in the hospital room. She’d managed to break her wrist for the second time. Deep down, she knew

Social Media and Youth Mental Health: Why the New National Advisory? By Bradley S. Jerson, PhD: On Tuesday, May 23, 2023, the U.S. Surgeon General issued a new warning over social media and youth mental health. Connecticut Children’s Pediatric Psychologist Bradley S. Jerson, PhD, answers popular questions from parents about this advisory…

5 Things to Know About the Omicron BA.2 Subvariant By John R. Schreiber, MD, MPH: Since the very first cases of COVID-19 arrived in Connecticut in March of 2020, the pandemic has felt like a game of stop and go. And just when life seems to have returned back to normal after this past winter’s Omicron surge, here we are hearing and reading about the Omicron BA

8 Sun and Skin Safety Tips for a Fun Summer By Keri Wallace, MD: In New England, summer sneaks up after a long winter. However, when the sun comes out, it’s out full force. Before you and the family head outside and “take back” summer, check out some summer sun safety tips to protect yourself and those you love against the sun’s harmful rays

“He Has His Life Back”: Ben’s Story Last summer, Ben Kline couldn’t make it from the kitchen to his bedroom without hugging the wall. He was having trouble balancing. He had a constant headache. He was so sensitive to light, he had to stop playing video games. He was so sensitive to sound, his younger sister

What to Expect at Your Fetal Echocardiogram By Alicia Wang, MD: For many babies, care begins during pregnancy. If your developing baby might be at risk of a heart condition, you’ll see a fetal cardiologist. These experts use special technology called a fetal echocardiogram to detect heart problems in utero – and begin important care and

Ask a Pediatrician: When Is it Safe for Kids to Start Wearing Deodorant or Antiperspirant? By Todd Palker, MD: Puberty comes with all sorts of changes to your child’s body, and sooner or later, that probably includes some new odors. If you and your child are thinking about trying a deodorant or antiperspirant, there are a dizzying array of products to choose from. To add to the confusion

Beyond Esophageal Atresia: Marcus’ Story Minutes after Marcus was placed in his mother’s arms for the first time, the nurses gently lifted him away again. They’d heard something alarming in his cry. An X-ray confirmed it: esophageal atresia, a problem with the connection between his esophagus and stomach. He’d just been

What’s Juneteenth and Why Do We Celebrate It? The Juneteenth commemoration celebrates the emancipation of enslaved people in the United States. The term combines June with nineteenth, which is the day in 1865 that Union Army General Gordon Granger read federal orders in Galveston, Texas proclaiming freedom for enslaved