|
|
|
| Join our list
|
|
|
|
| Dealing with Tragedy |
|
 The tragedy that occurred on the Virginia Tech campus on April 9 is having an impact on the entire country. We are all struggling to understand what could have driven this man to commit such a horrendous act, and fearful that a similar event could occur in our own community or to individuals close to us. In the aftermath of a tragedy like this, children and teens may express concern, anxiety and depression. It's important for parents to talk to their children -- providing them with reassurance and honest answers. Give children opportunities to talk about what they are seeing on television and to ask questions. Answer questions at a level the child can understand and don't be afraid to admit that you can't answer all their questions. Help children understand that there are no bad emotions and that a wide range of reactions is normal. For more suggestions on how to talk to children about disasters, including some age specific recommendations, you can visit the Department Of Health and Human Services website at http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/cmhs/katrina/parent_teach.asp or contact Performance Pediatrics for help. |
|
|
| School Safety |
|
| Because of the murders that occurred on the Virginia Tech campus, children and parents may be concerned about their safety at school. In fact, schools are one of the safest places for children to be. Despite the attention garnered by high-profile school shootings, more violence occurs at home and in the community than at school. The reflexive actions taken in response to school shootings are usually ineffective. Implementing physical security measures, like ongoing lockdowns or video surveillance, and relying on metal detectors and guards, have not been shown to prevent school shootings. To prevent school shootings, we must fix the environment that creates these situations. The American Academy of Pediatrics believes that the most effective measure to prevent firearm-related injuries to children and adolescents is the absence of guns from homes and communities. If you or your children are having difficulty dealing with tragedy, or if you no longer feel safe at home or school, please contact Dr. McAllister and let him know. There are resources available in the community that we can use to help you and your children feel in control of your lives and safe again. |
| Emergency Preparedness |
|
 As parents, you do everything you can to insure that your children are safe, healthy and happy. You use car seats, encourage bike helmets, provide good nutritious meals and keep outlets covered when you have little ones around. But even when you are doing everything you can to keep your children safe, accidents happen. It is important for every family to prepare themselves for emergencies. The following are a few suggestions that every family should implement:
- 911: Although you might know to call 911 in the event of an emergency, do your children? Children as young as 4 or 5 can start to understand what an emergency is and to know how to dial 911. Having 911 as a speed dial on your phone may help in an emergency, but make sure your children know how to dial the number, in case they are at a friend or neighbor's house when they need to use it.
- Poison Control: There is one nation-wide number for poison control and it is 800-222-1222. The operators at Poison Control are very well trained and can guide you in proper treatment of your child if they ingest medicine, household cleaning products or any other substances. Even if you are not sure if what the child swallowed was toxic or if they swallowed enough to be worried, call the poison control center first. In fact if you bring your child to the ER with a poisoning, one of the first things the ER staff will do is call the Poison Control Center. In the past, pediatricians recommended parents keep Ipecac (a medicine that causes vomiting) at home to give to a child as soon as they swallowed anything toxic. Ipecac is no longer recommended as some toxic substances can cause more damage coming up.
- CPR: Every adult and adolescent should be trained in CPR (cardio-pulmonary resuscitation). CPR training will teach you what to do if a loved one has a heart attack, stops breathing or is choking on food. It is especially important for all parents to know CPR because young children put everything in their mouths increasing the likelihood of choking. Jordan Hospital offers CPR training courses, and more information can be found on the Jordan Hospital Calendar Page. Or you can teach yourself infant CPR with this product endorsed by American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Heart Association.
|
| AAP National Art Contest |
|
 Win a Trip to San Francisco
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) invites children to participate in a national art contest with a chance to win a trip to San Francisco, California.
The AAP's contest is open to boys and girls in two groups, grades 3-5 and 6-8. The winner in each group and their parents/guardians will be invited to attend the 2007 AAP National Conference & Exhibition in San Francisco on October 27. Both winners will receive $500 and up to $1,000 for travel-related expenses. The two second-place winners will each receive $250. The four winners' schools will each receive matching cash amounts. Winners and some other entrants will have their artwork featured on the AAP Web site and in promotional materials. The contest theme is "Things I Can Do To Keep Safe and Be Healthy".
To enter, children should submit an original piece of artwork to: American Academy of Pediatrics, Art Contest, 141 Northwest Point Boulevard, Elk Grove Village, IL 60007. If you send a copy to Performance Pediatrics we will display it as well!
Official entry forms and consent forms must accompany all entries and are available online at http://www.aap.org . Entries must be postmarked by June 18, 2007. Winning entries will be selected by a panel of judges including pediatricians, and announced in the summer.
Dr. McAllister is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, an organization of 60,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults. |
|
Sincerely,
Dr. Terence McAllister
Performance Pediatrics
E-MAIL POLICY: Performance Pediatrics does not use e-mail to conduct patient care. Please do not send patient information via e-mail. New and established patients may contact us by phone to discuss any concerns at 508-747-8277. |
|
|
