At Children's of Alabama, we hope you had a great spring break. Spring brings forth vibrant colors and greenery....and then there's pollen! Stay strong as summer approaches. Your efforts in maintaining student health and readiness for learning are greatly valued. | |
Child Abuse Prevention Month
| | |
|
Child abuse and neglect are pervasive yet often unnoticed issues. Creating a safe, stable, and nurturing environment is crucial for optimal brain development in children. Research indicates that prolonged exposure to abuse and neglect can hinder children's behavioral, physical, and cognitive development, with lasting effects across generations1. Conversely, early childhood support can mitigate the harmful effects of early-life stress leading to lifelong advantages in learning, behavior, and health. The complex nature of child abuse and neglect means there is no single cause, making it challenging to break the cycle of harm. Factors such as community violence, poverty, and unemployment contribute significantly. Providing support to families to address these community needs is more effective than dealing with the consequences of adversity later in a child's life2.
1. Child Welfare Information Gateway - National Child Abuse Prevention Month
2. Prevent Child Abuse America - What Are Some Effects of Child Abuse and Neglect?
|  | |
A Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) is a registered nurse who provides expert and compassionate care to survivors of sexual assault and acute events of sexual abuse. Since 2001, Children’s of Alabama’s SANE program has offered skillful care to pediatric and adolescent patients who have experienced or who are suspected to have experienced sexual abuse.
For the SANE Slides click here.
The Children's Hospital Intervention and Prevention Services (CHIPS Center) aims to promote health and healing for those affected by suspected child abuse and neglect.
| | |
If you have any questions concerning school nurse workshops or any other school nurse resources available at Children's of Alabama, please reach out to our School Nurse Liaison, Ginger Parsons, via telephone at (205) 638-6287 or email at ginger.parsons@childrensal.org | | |
|
iLet Insulin Pump
Here are some resources for you to reference as you begin seeing the new iLet insulin pump used by your students.
View the iLet slides here.
| | |
Do you have students who have diabetes whose providers are at Children's of Alabama? | |
If you have students with diabetes whose provider is located at Children's of Alabama, please read the following notice regarding dietary needs in the school setting. | |
April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month | |
|
Autism Awareness Month
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition affecting social interaction, communication, and behavior. The term "spectrum" highlights the broad range of symptoms and severity levels within ASD, which encompasses conditions like Asperger Syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder, and other unspecified pervasive developmental disorders1. Symptoms typically emerge in early childhood, impacting social, academic, and occupational functioning. Individuals with ASD, whether adults or children, may encounter challenges in social interaction and communication. These difficulties may manifest as not responding to their name, appearing unresponsive at times, showing resistance to cuddling and physical contact, limited eye contact, and delayed speech or lack of verbal communication. While there is no cure, early intervention significantly improves outcomes for many affected children2.
- American Academy of Pediatrics - Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Autism Speaks - What Is Autism?
| |
Vehicular Heatstroke
Vehicular heatstroke occurs when a child is left in the car - intentionally or unintentionally - resulting in death1. Heatstroke occurs when an individual's body temperature surpasses 104 degrees Fahrenheit, leading to their thermoregulatory system becoming overwhelmed. Once the core body temperature reaches 107 degrees or higher, cellular damage occurs, and internal organs begin shutting down. A child's body temperature increases 3-5 times more rapidly than adults. Because of this, children are more susceptible to being victims of vehicular heatstroke2. To prevent this from happening, never leave a child alone in the car, keep your wallet in the backseat as a reminder to get your child, "look before you lock", and if you see a child in a car, call 9113.
- Bag In The Back - What is Vehicular Heatstroke?
- NHTSA - Know the Facts
- No Heat Stroke - Safety Recommendations
| |
National Stress Awareness Month | | |
|
Think First Alabama is part of a National Injury Prevention Foundation dedicated to preventing brain, spinal cord and other traumatic injuries. This program is available to your school FREE of charge, and is designed to provide age-appropriate injury prevention education for children of all ages.
For additional information, view the Think First Alabama flier, or to schedule a session at your school reach out to Julie Farmer via telephone at 205- 638-2729 or email at julie.farmer@childrensal.org
In the video below, you can find a more comprehensive overview of the ThinkFirst program.
| |
Need help educating your students and parents? | | |
|
|
Check out KidsHealth
- Printable resources with advice on children's health, behavior, and growth from before birth through the teenage years
- Information on a variety of topics including how the body works, homework help, and more
- Approved by doctors, and has separate sections written specifically for parents, teens, and kids
| |
If you have any suggestions on future content you would like to see featured in our newsletter, please reach out to us via email at healthedu.safety@childrensal.org. | |
Inside Pediatrics
Inside Pediatrics is a free monthly podcast series featuring specialists at Children’s of Alabama and the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). Episodes cover topics related to child health and wellness, research and treatment, and frequently complement articles appearing in Inside Pediatrics magazine.
| | | | |
