Nearly a decade later, I still vividly remember almost every detail of the day I was told my youngest child was on the autism spectrum. Grayson was just shy of 3 years old when we learned of his diagnosis. We sat in shock as we were told by the developmental pediatrician that she had every…
While becoming a parent is exciting, it can come with many questions for the pediatrician. During this time, your baby’s pediatrician will be one of your most valuable resources. You’ll be seeing them a lot during the first year during regular check ups, and they are here to advocate for your infant’s health and well-being,…
No parent wants to see their child in pain. For months this summer, Anita Salik watched her 9-year-old son, Harold, experience persistent, debilitating headaches. “I would always wake up in the night and it would hurt,” Harold said. “I couldn’t stop crying.” “He’d get mad sometimes when he had it because he just couldn’t enjoy…
Surrounded by nurses and staff, Alaina Kenney proudly rang the “end of treatment bell” at Norton Children’s Hospital. The celebration in early August marked the end of the 13-year-old’s chemotherapy treatments, nearly four years after being diagnosed neuroblastoma, a type of cancer found most often in kids and infants. One day in September 2019, as…
Electronic cigarette use puts young people at risk of bronchitis, shortness of breath and other significant respiratory symptoms after just 30 days, according to a new study from the Center for Tobacco Research. The study found these teens were twice as likely to have bronchitis and 78% more likely to have shortness of breath. A…
Arguing with your child isn’t something that excites most parents, but that’s not the case for David Williams. David’s 7-year-old son, Oaks, is on the autism spectrum and nonverbal. Thanks to Norton Children’s Autism Center Oaks now has a specialized electronic tablet that has given him a voice for the first time. The tablet allows…
Caring for your child’s cast requires extra steps and patience. If your child has broken a bone, you’re already familiar with the stress of the initial injury and getting them the help they need. Cast care during the weeks it takes to heal an injury can be time consuming and require extra caution, on top…
Autism screening is one of the many important reasons to bring your child to the pediatrician every year for their annual well-child checkup, even when your child is not due for any immunizations. The way your child speaks, plays, learns and acts could help a pediatrician determine any potential signs of autism. Autism is a…
When Mary Vaughn thinks back to when she realized her son needed help, one moment stands out. When he was young, she took James to jump on bounce houses with friends. It was busy and loud. He quickly became overwhelmed and upset, but he couldn’t form words to explain why. “I knew the words were…
Is your child ready to start kindergarten? Kindergarten readiness can serve as an important foundation for the rest of your child’s educational career — but it’s about more than academics. School readiness involves all aspects of your child’s development before they start school, including their social, emotional, cognitive, behavioral and motor skills. These form the…
If a child complains of chest pain, it might sound alarming to parents, but did you know that most cases of chest pain in kids don’t indicate a heart issue? “Chest pain is relatively common when a child is growing. It’s a good idea to bring this up with your child’s pediatrician, but parents should…
As an active young boy growing up in Bowling Green, Kentucky, Devan Riley experienced pains in his legs. He also endured recurring numbness on his left arm, which became more bothersome over the years. “As things progressed, we didn’t want to believe anything was wrong,” said Amy Wilson Harwood, Devan’s mom. “His previous doctors associated…