3901 Greenspring Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland 21211
card.kennedykrieger.org
October/November 2014 • VOL. 7, ISSUE 5
Our Medical and Developmental Services By Melanie Pinkett-Davis, LCSW-C Caregivers of children with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often seek a professional to provide a comprehensive look at their child’s development, as well as clear feedback with treatment recommendations. Children with ASD are at greater risk for seizures, allergies, GI difficulties, and genetic/metabolic abnormalities. Therefore, it is advisable for them to receive medical and developmental monitoring with a physician who is trained in working with children with ASD. Within the Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD), developmental pediatricians are uniquely suited to serve in this capacity. Developmental pediatricians who are certified by the American Board of Pediatrics have a child- and family-oriented perspective and are trained on the assessment and management of developmental disorders such as ASD. CARD is privileged to have a variety of developmental pediatricians on staff. Drs. Anna Maria Wilms-Floet and Karina Yelin are developmental-behavioral pediatricians whose extensive training includes an emphasis on psychosocial issues. Drs. Deepa Menon and Brenda Harris were trained in neurodevelopmental disabilities pediatrics (NDD), which focuses on neuroscience and the management of neurodevelopmental disorders. The center is also home to highly regarded child neurologists Stewart Mostofsky, James Rubenstein, and Constance Smith-Hicks. We are pleased to announce that openings are currently available for families seeking the services of a developmental pediatrician or neurologist within CARD. Please contact your current Kennedy Krieger Institute provider to request a referral for medical services in our center. Families may also contact Stacey Duvall at 443-923-7680 for more information.
Children and Screen Time: What Research Shows By Jessica Elwell, MS, CCC-SLP In today’s society, media is increasingly integrated into our everyday lives. From television to smart phones, video games, and tablets, children and adults alike can’t seem to get enough! But how does this increased exposure to media devices affect a young child’s Inside this issue development? For the past several decades, certified medical professionals and researchers from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) have expressed concerns regarding a possible negative correlation between children and Director’s Welcome 2 prolonged media exposure. Their studies demonstrate that while media literacy and pro-social uses of media may enhance an individual’s knowledge and social Employee Spotlight 4 connectedness, the overwhelming saturation of media in the lives of children can negatively impact their development. Upcoming STAR Trainings
4
Research Findings The AAP has conducted extensive research on media use in children and has found the following results:
Many media programs for infants and toddlers marketed as “educational” have no evidence to support the claim. Continued on page 2 1