Post by Dan Wilson, RRT, CPFT, AEC

School is back in session and parents are making sure their children are getting back into the swing of the school season.  In the rush to get school supplies together and checking the bus schedule, it’s easy to over look the, “Back to School Asthma Checklist”. The American Lung Association recommends the following five steps when it comes to asthma readiness and the school season.

Step 1. Learn About Asthma
Talk to your healthcare provider about how asthma affects the lungs and what can be done to keep asthma from becoming a problem. Visit the American Lung Association website at www.lung.org and search, “Asthma” for many free resources including online asthma educational tools for parents and educational asthma games for kids.

Step 2. Talk to the School Nurse
Visit or call the school nurse or staff member in charge of student health. Ask if there is a form that needs to be completed by your child’s healthcare provider authorizing the school nurse or staff member to give your child breathing medication if an asthma flare up happens at school. Ask about the school’s asthma emergency plan and if PE instructors, coaches and teachers are trained to recognize asthma symptoms and how to respond to an asthma emergency.

Step 3. Schedule an Asthma Check Up
Every school year should begin with a visit to your child’s healthcare provider for an asthma checkup. This checkup assures your child’s asthma is in control and that they are receiving the right amount of medicine for their asthma. It’s is also a good time to be sure your child has enough asthma medication refills for the school season.

Step 4. Develop an Asthma Action Plan
An Asthma Action Plan is a written worksheet created by your healthcare provider that helps you and the school nurse recognize if your childs asthma is OK or if it is becoming a problem. The Asthma Action Plan has written instructions about what “Action” to take if the asthma is becoming a problem. Ask your healthcare provider to give you an Asthma Action Plan during your asthma check up.

Step 5. Get a Flu Shot
The “flu” is a respiratory virus and a common asthma trigger. The best way to protect you and your child from the flu is by getting the flu shot. Also, teach your children the importance of hand washing to prevent respiratory infections.

For more information about HealthNet or to find a location near you, visit www.indyhealthnet.org.

October is National Bullying Prevention Month.  Bully is becoming a huge problem for kids in school as well as kids and adults on the internet.  According to kidshealth.org, 25 percent of public schools report bullying happens at school on a weekly basis!  In addition, 1 in 3 kids report being cyber-bullied and 1 in 6 adults report having experienced cyber-bullying.  This is a disturbing trend.

Bullying can be defined as any kind of intentional torment.  This includes physical, verbal, or emotional abuse.  Sadly, emotional pain inflicted by others can be difficult to forget and can cause lasting damage.  Unaddressed, a victim of bullying can develop low self-esteem and even suffer from depression.

So, what can we do about it?  As a parent, it’s excruciating to see your child hurt and, often, parents can feel as helpless as the child in knowing what to do about bullying.

First and foremost, don’t be afraid to talk to your kids.  Talk to them about bullying even if you don’t know that it is happening.  Education regarding what bullying is and what is means can be beneficial for children to help them know how what to do if they are bullied or if they witness bullying.  Let your children know that it’s okay to feel scared and embarrassed but that it’s important to tell a trusted adult.

Encourage children to try to ignore the bullying and walk away.  Alert them to get help from an adult.  Talking preemptively about managing anger can be helpful too.  As we all know, it’s hard to walk away sometimes!  Educating children on counting to 10 when angry or taking slow, deep breaths to compose oneself can be helpful in a crunch.

If you do suspect your child might be bullied, again, don’t be afraid to ask.  Listen in a non-judgmental way and validate their feelings.  Bullying can be shaming, so the child needs to feel safe as he is telling of this pain.  If your child doesn’t come right out and tell you, pay attention to changes in behavior.  Is he suddenly refusing to go to school?  Is he not sleeping at night?  Be aware but don’t jump to conclusions.  If you do discover your child is being bullied, model healthy behavior.  Don’t immediately try to address the situation yourself with the bully.  Take a breath and decide on a plan of action with your child.  Often, the best approach can be collaborating with the school.

Bullying can have long-lasting, devastating affects, but you can be helpful in talking and listening with your child as well as addressing the issue in an appropriate manner with the school.  With parents offering education and support, kids can learn to survive bullying and move forward to healthy, productive lives.

Have you had an experience with a bully? Comment below and let us know how you handled the situation.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, kids who perform better in school are more likely to be physically active on a regular basis. Adding physical activity to your child’s day can not only keep him or her healthy, but also increase attention, behavior, and positive attitudes leading to improved academic performance.

If 60 minutes a day sounds like a lot, consider that 8 to 18-year-olds spend an average of 7.5 hours a day using entertainment media including TV, computers, video games, cell phones and movies in a typical day, and only one-third of high school students get the recommended levels of physical activity.

With the weather getting cooler and days getting shorter, are you having trouble getting your kids motivated to be active? Check out some fun fall suggestions from Sneaky Fitness:

1. Geocaching

With geocaching available in many local areas, you don’t have to go far to participate in this outdoor treasure hunt. Using a GPS-enabled device or your smartphone, you walk or hike to specific locations to find hidden containers or caches. The caches contain a logbook with notes from other people who were there or other items for a fun discovery adventure.

2. Obstacle courses

Whether in the backyard or in the playground, an obstacle course is a great way for kids to engage in a variety of activities. Obstacle courses are also great for kids of all ages to play together, because they can compete against their own time – not against each other. The course can include a variety of activities like sprinting, a bike ride, jump roping, a hula hoop, and a Frisbee toss.

3. Races

You can set up a regular backyard race or get more creative and customize it with your kids’ interests – from dance moves to sports drills. Many local race events for adults also include a kids’ fun race which is a great way to train and compete together.

4. Circuit training

Rather than a boring gym routine, circuit training for kids can incorporate any sports drill, Yoga pose or exercise – and can be done indoors or out, in a pool or on the playground. Set up eight to 10 circuit stations and alternate cardio, strength training, flexibility and balance exercises. Preschoolers should be at each station for thirty seconds or less and two to five minutes is good for older kids.

5. Tag with a creative spin

A game of tag is an easy standby but you can spice it up depending on the age. Preschoolers can pretend to be different animals, so when the child who is “it,” is tagged, he then has to move like a different animal (for example, slither like a snake or crawl like a cat). For older kids, use clothespins to tag each other; the player to get rid of all of his clothespins wins.

6. Do-gooder events

Charity work is a great way for kids to get active and feel good about helping others. Let your kids pull a wagon around the neighborhood to collects books for their library, canned goods for a local food pantry, or socks, hats and gloves for programs serving the homeless. Volunteering can help them be more active too!

HealthNet is always in need of kids to host a Helpings Drive in their neighborhoods. Contact us at info@indyhealthnet.org for more details! 

Yes, it is already that time of year when kids are returning back to school!  Can you believe it, summer is already over?!  Some us of look forward to this time of year, where others are wondering how am I going to manage everything?  

Copyright (c) 123RF Stock Photos

Your children are looking forward to starting the next school year with all their extra curricular activities, whereas you are worried about meeting scheduling needs.  First of all, take a deep breath, as I’m sure that can be a very overwhelming feeling.  Sometimes we tend to add extra stress onto ourselves and we don’t even know it.  We do this by thinking of all the things that need to be accomplished, which weighs us down and becomes so overwhelming, that it takes a lot more energy and effort.  So instead, try to break the tasks up into smaller time frames – instead of thinking about the whole school year, break it down into months, but even better, into weeks, or days.

If we break tasks up into smaller tasks or smaller time frames, they don’t seem to be that overwhelming.  Remember, you don’t have to be supermom or superdad, ask for help!  Don’t feel like you have to participate in the PTO or volunteer for things at your child/children’s school just because you did last year.

It is important to spend time with your kids and that they know you are supportive of their extra-curricular activities; however it is also important to take care of yourself.

I’m a big believer in taking care of yourself, as that is the only way you can take care of the others around you.  If you are barely able to think or sleep, it is going to take more energy and effort for you to take care of the loved ones around you. So, make sure you take a few minutes to take time out for yourself, even if that means you take a few minutes to read a magazine, get your nails done or catch up on your favorite sports teams scores, etc.

If you have more than one child, and they are actively involved in school activities, make a schedule or calendar for yourself. Sometimes writing things down helps to keep things in perspective, instead of leaving it to memory. For those that are single parents, be realistic about your schedule and don’t expect yourself to be in two places at once.  For those that have both parents involved, break up the activities amongst yourselves and then switch the next time.

Caring for young children’s teeth is an important part of keeping their bodies healthy—and it’s never too early to get started!

Strong first or baby teeth set the stage for strong permanent teeth, and help children play, learn, and grow. In honor of Children’s Dental Health Awareness Month, here are some tips to keep your little one’s teeth healthy.

Did You Know?

Children without access to dental care suffer from tooth decay, gum disease, pain and missing permanent teeth. Studies show that children in underserved areas suffer even more, with twice as much tooth decay as their more affluent counterparts. Tooth decay is the number one chronic illness in children – five times more prevalent than asthma.

When Should Dental Care Start?

Proper dental care begins even before a baby’s first tooth appears. Remember that just because you can’t see the teeth doesn’t mean they aren’t there. Teeth actually begin to form in the second trimester of pregnancy. At birth a baby has 20 primary teeth, some of which are fully developed in the jaw.

Running a damp washcloth over a baby’s gums following feedings can prevent buildup of damaging bacteria. Once a child has a few teeth showing, parents can brush them with a soft child’s toothbrush or rub them with gauze at the end of the day.

Even babies can have problems with dental decay when parents do not practice good feeding habits. Putting a baby to sleep with a bottle in his or her mouth may be convenient in the short term — but it can harm the baby’s teeth. When the sugars from juice or milk remain on a baby’s teeth for hours, they may eat away at the enamel, creating a condition known as baby bottle tooth decay. Severe cases result in cavities and the need to pull all the front teeth until the permanent ones grow in.

The American Dental Association recommends that a child’s first visit to the dentist take place by his or her first birthday. At this visit, the dentist will explain proper brushing and flossing techniques (you need to floss once your baby has two teeth that touch) and conduct a modified exam while your baby sits on your lap.

Such visits can help in the early detection of potential problems. And, they help kids become accustomed to visiting the dentist so they’ll have less fear about going as they grow older!

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Looking for a dentist? HealthNet has five dental centers around Indianapolis. Click here to find the HealthNet dental center closest to you!

We asked Dr. Philip Woller, DDS, why these check-ups are so important. Dr. Woller serves as dental director for HealthNet’s six dental clinics, which care for over 6,500 kids and adults each year. Here’s what he told us about kids and tooth decay:

1. After the common cold, it’s the most prevalent chronic childhood disease. Tooth decay is an infectious disease and over half of school children, ages 5 through 9, have at least one cavity. And, the problem is increasing dramatically in preschool-age kids.
2. Dental-related illnesses account for 52 million lost school hours each year. Because serious tooth decay can affect overall health, it can lead to problems with eating, talking, concentrating in class, learning and can eventually lead to school absences.
3. It’s preventable. You can stop the decay caused by bacteria by making sure your children brush and floss regularly and by taking advantage of affordable dental care in your neighborhood to schedule regular checkups.

A dental exam is just as important as booster shots and should be a regular part of back-to-school preparations, echo the American Dental Association (ADA) and theAmericanAcademyof Pediatrics (AAP).

Back-to-school dental check ups should be easier to schedule during the weeks before students’ calendars fill up with after-school sports and homework. If you don’t already have a dentist, click here to find out which HealthNet dental clinic is closest to you.

Our sixth location opens this month and is just for kids. HealthNet Pediatric & Adolescent Care Center (PACC) is pleased to begin offering dental check-ups and cleanings for established PACC patients ages 0-5 each Thursday, beginning July 12. Learn more!

When I have young children and teenagers in the clinic I do my very best to talk to them and to encourage them regarding their current “roles” in society.  I stress with them that they only have two responsibilities.  The first and most important responsibility is for them follow the commands/directives of the adults (parents, teachers, neighbors etc…) and their second responsibility is to do well in school.  I tell them that if they are able to perfect these two responsibilities, then the chances of them being successful (defined as being a blessing to their community) will increase exponentially.

How does one do that?  Do what your parents have done, but better!

Being a parent is a wonderful calling and it is a blessing.  In my opinion, parenting is the most important job in the world.  As parents, we are able to help shape the next generation of leaders and what we do for our children can/will last a lifetime.  The way we carry ourselves, spend time with our children, encourage our children, love our children and discipline our children in love, goes well beyond the first 18 years of life.  Our children are a reflection of us.  Their behaviors, goals, dreams and aspirations are a result of what has been modeled for them growing up.  While there is no such thing as a perfect home or perfect parent, there are many things that we can do that will give our children a strong foundation to build upon as they prepare to lead the next generation.

flickr photo by jaqjan

When we have our picture taken, what is it that we want that portrait to say?  The same thing can be said regarding our children.  As parents, it is imperative that we do our very best to be successful role models for our children.  This in turn will help them to reflect or portray us.  How do we Give A Care About Kids?  By modeling success – hard work, accountability, responsibility, overcoming failures, never quitting, focusing on the family, stressing the importance of education, and thinking about how to be a blessing to others.

As a pediatrician, I stress these two responsibilities but I understand that this must start with the man/woman in the mirror… Me and You.  We too have a responsibility and that is to paint these beautiful pictures that are the next generation in the form of our children.  They are a reflection of us; a walking and talking image.

What pictures are you painting?

Kids are just the most adorable and naive little people!! 

We as adults  see them as just that and tend to forget that they are also so in tune to what is going on around them.  So, lets all take a minute to give credit to kids all around the world.  We have all heard the amazing stories on TV, newspapers, talk shows, etc, on how various children, of various ages, have done extravagant things to help save another’s life.  There is an old wives tale “it takes a village to raise a kid.”  I completely see a lot of value in that, especially in our present day.

Look around you, what do you see in the world today?

Crime rates increasing, violence, abuse, neglect, bullying, youth suicide rates increasing, etc.  Is such an environment safe to raise our most naive, precious, and sponge like gems?  I don’t think so.  So you ask, “What can I do?”  Well, there is a lot that one can do.  Kids really are just kids, and rely on an adult to tell them and show them what is wrong and what is right, what is appropriate and what is not, what is respect versus disrespect, and the list goes on.  The unfortunate part, which I see on a daily basis, however,  is that our society, including parents, family members, teachers, principals, school administrators, etc are going through a shift.  For whatever the reason, they seem to not be aware of the dilemmas and tragedies that kids experience at their age.  I hear comments such as “oh, he is a kid, what does he know about stress” or “he should not be depressed, he has no worries,”  but what we fail to understand is that kids soak up the emotional stressors that are present in their homes, which is causing them to react in such a manner.

Let’s take a simple example of bullying, which is such a big topic of discussion when it comes to school performance.  Did you know that there is a link between bullying and depression?  This applies to the bully and the victim.  Did you know that people who are bullied as children grow up to suffer from depression more so than people who were not bullied?

Did you know that any sort of change that occurs in a child’s life has an affect on them emotionally, mentally, and developmentally?  If the children around you begin to act different than their normal behaviors, that is your sign that something is not quite right with them emotionally.  Talk to them; find out what’s on their mind.  Not only are children/youth like precious, sponge like gems, however they are little gardens that need to be fed and nurtured with care and love regularly.  If they do not get what they need in order to grow up to be mature, responsible, independent adults; they get derailed into the land of anger, pain, grief, frustration, resentment, etc.  Regularly I see in my office kids coming in with issues of depression, anxiety, and anger and the root cause is bullying, changes that have occurred in their life, past/current abuse or neglect.   So, if you are in a new relationship, do still take the time to spend with your kids to let them know that you care and love them as well.  Encourage your kids to keep an open line of communication with you, so that if they are hurt by someone else, they are not ashamed or scared to tell you.  Teachers, administrators, principals, when a student comes to you and tells you they are being bullied, or you see bullying taking place; please do not let it go unaddressed.  There is a lot of suffering that goes on behind closed doors when that happens.

It is our responsibility as a whole society, to make sure each and everyone of our precious gems are getting the love, care, attention, etc they need.  Please do your part in helping a child that you know, to help our future be a better place!  Please contact any of the our clinics in your area to schedule an appointment with one of our Behavioral Health Therapists if your kids have difficulty opening up to you or are engaging in behaviors out of their norm.

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Want to learn more about our GIVE A CARE ABOUT KIDS campaign? Click here.
If you have questions about our BIBs/Healthy Families Program, comment below or tweet us – @GiveACareIndy.

The behavioral health department is invested in our community kiddos!  The therapists in each facility provide services for children as well as adults.  We are very fortunate to have Dr. Jim Jones, child psychologist, at PACC and the department is in the process of hiring another child psychologist.  I am thrilled to announce that we have also developed play therapy rooms at three of our centers to specifically meet the needs of our smallest patients.

The behavioral health department also includes a pediatric psychiatrist and a pediatric psychiatric nurse practitioner.  All staff work closely with the pediatricians in the centers to meet the needs of the child and family as a whole.

In addition to these resources, the behavioral health folks have the pleasure of consulting with the social workers in the centers as well as with BIBS and Healthy Families to get a full picture of the family’s needs and strengths.  Our BIBS and Healthy Families staff work tirelessly to improve the lives of these families and in turn, improve communities.

As you can see, HealthNet truly provides a network of care that reaches each corner of a child’s life.   It’s exciting, fun, and rewarding to see our littlest patients grow and flourish.

I often hear from my adult patients that they first came to HealthNet as pediatric patients.  They feel that HealthNet is home and are excited to continue from their pediatric care to adult primary care to OB care and then begin bringing their children to our clinic.  After meeting a patient for the first time, I often ask if they remember how to get back to the lobby after an appointment.  More often than not, I get the response,

“I’ve been coming here for 20 years.  I know this building like the back of my hand!”

It’s encouraging when patients are so satisfied with their service at HealthNet they are happy to introduce their children and grandchildren into our caring community!

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Do you #GiveACareAbout Kids?? Check out our page on the blog by clicking here.
Have any questions about our BIBs/Healthy Families Program? Comment below. Or tweet us – @GiveACareIndy.

The Better Indy Babies and Healthy Families’ mantra should be We Care About Kids. Over 1500 kids, both born and unborn,  hold a place in the hearts of the more than 50 home visitors and support staff in these two programs over the course of a year.  Our passion and purpose is to ensure that children are born healthy and are raised in nurturing and safe environments.  Personally, I cannot think of a more important job than the job of the home visitors who beat the streets of neighborhoods that many of us would not venture into.  Our home visitors use proven strategies and interventions for parents or parents-to-be to develop relationships with children that will form the basis of all of their future relationships and interactions.  With their loving hearts and caring hands, the home visitors support individuals and families and teach about falling in love with their children.  Many of the individuals and families that we serve have experienced childhood trauma, which impacts their ability to care for their children as parents.

The following story is just one of the success stories that illustrate how building a relationship with both BIBs and Healthy Families participants, who are HealthNet patients, can change an adult’s life. The result of a child feeling love and protection from a healthy relationship with the parent helps the child become a caring human being capable enough to handle life.

Nancy enrolled in the program and initially was not completely open about her past. She was very quiet and timid.  Over the course of a few visits, Nancy opened up to her home visitor, disclosing a significant history of depression, anxiety, abuse, and rape.  Her home visitor arranged for Nancy to see a HealthNet Behavioral Health therapist, and she and her home visitor worked together on ways to help her cope with her stressors.  Nancy did see a therapist and is now attending weekly sessions.  She regularly uses the stress relief techniques that the home visitor taught her and is working on eating healthier and exercising.  Nancy enjoys the praise she gets from her home visitor and reports that one of the few things she looks forward to each week is her home visit.  While Nancy’s story is ongoing, her progress and willingness to share her history and emotions demonstrate growth and maturity that is supported by services provided by BIBs and Healthy Families.

Children are our future; we must take care of them with maximum effort. -Naomi Campbell

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To learn more about our #GiveACareAbout Kids theme, click here.
Have any questions about our BIBs/Healthy Families program? Comment below or tweet us – @GiveACareIndy.