Back
to Contents
CARING FOR YOUR CHILD'S TEETH
WEBSITES
American
Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
Under "Info for Parents" on this website,
there are one page, online question-and-answer style parent education brochures
focused on children's dental health topics such as x-ray safety, fluoride,
dental care for babies, calming the anxious young patient, and sealants.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry is the national professional
organization of dentists who specialize in treating children.
Parents'
Guide
Information on tooth development, a child's
first dentist visit, and the effect of pacificers and baby bottles on tooth
growth. Reviewed by dentists from the Columbia University School of Dental and Oral Surgery.
Dental
Care from the drSpock.com website
Brief one page reviews of children's dental
health topics, such as pacifiers, braces, teen tooth care issues, written
by a Connecticut pediatric dentist.
Back
to Contents
POSITIVE CHILD REARING
BOOKS
American Medical Association. Complete
Guide to your Children’s Health. Edward S. Traisman, editor. Random House,
1999. 710 p. (ISBN 0-679-45776-3) Out of print but available at some public
libraries.
Children’s emotional as well as physical development are described. Discusses special child raising
circumstances such as the adopted child, children whose parents are divorced, children under stress,
children experiencing grief. Practical, specific parenting suggestions.
Dr. Spock's The School Years. Benjamin
Spock, edited by Martin T. Stein. Pocket Books, 2001. 304 p. (ISBN 0-7434-1123-4 paperback) Out of print but
available at some public libraries.
Based on magazine articles for parents written
by parenting expert Dr. Benjamin Spock in the 1980's and 1990's, this is
a companion volume to Dr. Spock's The First Two Years. The focus
is on social and emotional aspects of parenting, not illnesses or disorders.
The book includes essays that highlight teaching values to children, raising
self-reliant children, a father's role in discipline, stepparenting experiences,
adolescent peer pressure. The topics are discussed in down-to-earth, practical terms.
Additional parenting guidance is available on Dr.
Spock's website.
First Aid for Babies and Children fast.
Allen R. Walker, editor.
Dorling Kindersley Limited, 2006. 128 p. 3rd revised edition.(ISBN 0-7566-1931-9 paperback)
Illustrated with color photographs, this guide contains clearly
written, brief instructions for immediate care of childhood emergencies such as anaphylactic
shock, insect stings, electrical burns, fever, and heatstroke.
Heading Home with your Newborn. From Birth to Reality.
Laura A. Jana and Jennifer Shu. American Academy of Pediatrics, 2005. 306 p.
(ISBN 1-58110-157-0).
A reassuring guide about caring for infants, written especially for new and
about-to-be parents. Published by the American Academy of Pediatrics, professional association of pediatricians,
and written by two experienced pediatricians who are mothers as well as physicians. Includes lots of practical
information on feeding, establishing routines, sleep habits, bathing, diapering, car seats,
traveling with infants, safety reminders, and selecting a pediatrician.
Parenting That Works. Building Skills that Last a Lifetime.
Edward R. Christophersen and Susan L. Mortweet. American Psychological Association
, 2003. 356 p.
(ISBN 1-55798-924-9).
Published by the American Psychological Association, and written by hospital staff
psychologists, this detailed book provides specific guidance on changing children's negative behaviors to positive
ones. Discusses disciplining children, communicating effectively with them, and building parental coping skills.
Includes recommendations for bedtime routines, toilet training, dealing with childhood aggression, whining, and
tantrums.
Put Yourself in Their Shoes : Understanding
How Your Child Sees the World. Barbara
F. Meltz. Delacorte Press, 1999. 256 p. (ISBN: 0-440-50823-1)
A warm, insightful view of the thoughts and
concerns in the minds of children that impact their everyday behavior,
written by the veteran parenting columnist for the Boston Globe. Focuses
on problems by developmental stage rather than by age. Offers practical
suggestions on effective communication with children of a variety of ages.
The author's observations and anecdotes illustrate the needs of children
that they often fail to express to their parents.
Raising an Emotionally Healthy Child When a Parent Is Sick.
Paula K. Rauch and Anna C. Muriel. McGraw-Hill, 2006. 213 p. (ISBN 0-07-144681-8)
Compassionate, realistic child-rearing advice for an extremely difficult circumstance--
when a child's parent is experiencing a serious, sometimes life-threatening illness. Written by two Harvard Medical
School child and adolescent psychiatrists with considerable experience communicating with parents through the Massachusetts
General Hospital Cancer Center parenting program, Parenting at a Challenging Time (PACT). The book's focus is on the
perspective and emotional growth of the child rather than the needs of the ill parent. Discusses how children of different
ages understand illness, how to gather a parental support system, communicating effectively with your child, planning
hospital visits, etc.
Raising Resilient Children. Robert
Brooks and Sam Goldstein. McGraw-Hill, 2002. 336 p. (ISBN 0-8092-9765-5 paperback, ISBN 0-8092-9764-7 hardcover)
A compassionate, practical guide to rearing
confident, self-assured children capable of solving problems that arise
in school, within the family, and among friends. Written by experienced
child psychologists, its realistic "guideposts" are illustrated with case
histories from the authors' experiences. An encouraging, positive approach
for parents. A complementary book, Nurturing Resilience in Our Children,
was published by the authors in 2002. It illustrates the principles of
Raising
Resilient Children by providing responses to parents' specific questions
on child-rearing. The Power of Resilience, with recommendations
for adults, was published by the co-authors in 2004. Additional guidance
at the authors' website.
The Ten Basic Principles of Good Parenting.
Laurence Steinberg. Simon and Schuster, 2004. 207 p.(ISBN 0-7432-5115-6)
Basing his recommendations on research on effective child-rearing,
psychologist Dr. Laurence Steinberg of Temple University presents a realistic,
understanding guide to parenting children from infancy to adolescence.
He illustrates each of the "10 basic principles" (e.g. Adapt your parenting
to fit your child, Be involved in your child's life, You cannot be too
loving, Be consistent, etc.) with specific examples of what to do in order to
raise independent, compassionate children..and what not to do.
Your Child's Health. Baron D. Schmitt. Bantam Books, 2005.
686 p.(ISBN 0-553-38369-8)
Direct, brief advice on a wide range of medical and behavioral child-rearing
issues. The recommendations focus on children from infancy to twelve years old. The book is especially helpful
for its beginning section on dealing with emergencies. In addition to providing a great deal of parenting
advice, Dr. Schmitt, professor of pediatrics at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, encourages
parents to "trust your intuition, you know your child better than anyone else."
INTERNET WEBSITES
American
Academy of Family Physicians
Under the "Parents and Kids" section, there
are hyperlinks to a number of mainly one page online informational sheets
on a variety of health topics written for parents, teenagers, and children,
including "Raising Confident Kids," "Eating Disorders," and "Changing Your
Child's Behavior."
Connecticut Poison Control Center
In addition to the 24 year emergency advice service provided to callers
by phone at 1-800-222-1222, the statewide Connecticut Poison Control Center provides advisory information on
its website about specific poisons. The website also includes information about making your home "poison-proof" and safe
for children. There is a cartoon-style educational section of the website especially for children in grades one to six,
teachers, and babysitters. 1-800-222-1222 can be dialed from any U.S. state to connect you with the local state
poison control center.
Facts for
Families
Published by the American Academy of Child
and Adolescent Psychiatry.
Each one page fact sheet provides an overview
of a topic related to children’s emotional needs or problems, such as sleep
problems, depression, TV violence. Available in
Spanish, Polish, Icelandic, and French as well as English.
Kidshealth.org
for Parents
Attractive, practical website with separate
sections for parents, children, and teens. Focuses on health and child
rearing.
Published by the Alfred I. duPont Hospital
for Children and the Nemours Children's Clinics. Parenting section on “emotions
and behavior” includes twenty articles on topics such as childhood stress,
coping with anxiety, attention disorder, and temper tantrums. Includes
a section on "positive parenting."
New
York University Child Study Center
Practical parenting advice. Real life questions
from parents provide a springboard to guidance and discussions from mental
health professionals. Under the "AOK Library," the website includes a glossary of mental health terms, articles
on parenting topics, brief explanations of mental health disorders in children,
and resources for further information. "The Parent Letter,"
containing advice on parenting issues for school-age children, is published
monthly and available online.
Back
to Contents
OBTAINING HEALTH INSURANCE FOR YOUR CHILD
Financial Assistance
Hyperlinks to financial assistance opportunities
from a variety of federal agencies and organizations. On the website of
the National Library of Medicine's
MedlinePlus consumer health information website.
Insure
Kids Now!
Questions and answers about the federal program,
administered by each state, that provides free or low-cost insurance to
children whose families meet specific income eligibility guidelines. National
toll-free phone number is 1-877-543-7669. Internet user can link to the
Connecticut HUSKY program website or other states' websites from this Question
and Answer Page.
HUSKY
Plan: Healthcare for Uninsured Kids and Youth in Connecticut
Comprehensive health care insurance plan for
Connecticut children up to age 19 who have no health insurance. Free or
graduated cost premiums are based on family size and family income. Phone 1-877-CT-HUSKY.
Back
to Contents
ORGANIZATIONS THAT MAY HELP
CHILDFIND
1-800-445-2722 Toll-free
number for parents of children ages three to twenty-one years of age concerned about their child's development.
Staffed by parent consultants from the Connecticut Parent Advocacy Center. Consultants will provide parents
with information and direct them to appropriate resources and agencies to assist their children.
Connecticut
Birth To Three System
1-800-505-7000. Statewide referral
service for infants and toddlers under three years old with "significant
developmental disabilities or delays." Parents with concerns about their
children's development will be helped in the evaluation process and in
accessing services for their children. The program also serves children
with a diagnosed medical condition. State and federally funded program.
Information available in Spanish and English on the website.
INFOLINE
directory of community services.
There are six regional Infoline directories
describing community service agencies within Connecticut; arranged by name
of agency and by type of service.
Callers to Infoline’s statewide toll-free
numbers(211) will be directed to appropriate service agencies and
organizations. Infoline is staffed with caseworkers who are available to
assist callers twenty-four hours a day, throughout the year. Bilingual
English/Spanish speaking caseworkers are on the staff. The service is accessible
to the hearing-impaired by TDD. Includes Maternal and Child Health Infoline,
"toll-free access point for information and referrals to health services
in Connecticut, particularly for low-income, uninsured pregnant women and
children with special needs."
The self-help directory: a guide to Connecticut
and national groups. annual. New Haven, CT. Connecticut Self-Help/Mutual
Support Network.
An annual guide to local and national support
groups, many health-related. Includes parenting and family related support
groups. Phone (203) 624-6982 for updated information.
Programs that help people in Connecticut.
Benefits Available/Who is Eligible/Where to Go.
Annual booklet produced by Northeast Utilities
and the Connecticut Association for Human Services. Overview of federal,
state and local programs that provide assistance to Connecticut residents.
Includes details on health programs.
To obtain a copy, write to Northeast Utilities Community Relations,
Box 270, Hartford CT 06101-8362 or contact Connecticut Association for
Human Services, 110 Bartholomew Avenue, Hartford CT 06106-2232, phone (860)
951-2212. You may download this publication from the website of the
Connecticut
Association for Human Services. Available in Spanish as well as English.
Back
to Contents
MENTAL HEALTH
BOOKS
Straight Talk about Your Child's Mental
Health. Stephen V. Faraone. Guilford
Press, 2003. 389 p. (ISBN 1-57230-894-X hardcover, ISBN 1-57230-631-9 paperback)
Enriched by charts of "Fast Facts" about children's
mental health and "Road Maps" detailing treatments, this is an understandable,
comprehensive overview of mental disorders in children. It is directed
toward parents in an initial exploration of finding professional help for
their children. In addition to information about causes and symptoms of
mental health problems, there are guidelines on gathering information about
a child before an initial therapy session and preparing a child for a psychological
evaluation. There are practical suggestions for navigating the mental health
care system and working with the child's school.
INTERNET WEBSITE
What
Every Child Needs for Good Mental Health
Unconditional family love, "appropriate guidance
and discipline" and play with other children are among the recommendations
for children's mental health, according to the National Mental Health Association.
This online fact sheet explains how each of six important parenting guidelines
can be implemented.
Child
Mental Health
A collection of hyperlinks to brochures, organizations,
and websites about diagnosis, symptoms, prevention, treatment, and research
related to child and adolescent mental health. Includes links to glossaries
of mental health terms. From MedlinePlus
, a National Library of Medicine website for health consumers.
Connecticut
Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services
Includes information on how to find services,
including 24-hour crisis intervention services, within Connecticut towns.
Has a resource guide to other advocacy and support organizations with links
to their websites, as well as information about legal rights advocates.
Back
to Contents
NUTRITION
BOOKS
Guide to Your Child's Nutrition. William
H. Dietz and Loraine Stern, editors. Random House, 1999. 234 p. (ISBN 0-375-75487-3 paperback)
A publication of the American Academy of Pediatrics,
national professional association of pediatricians. Subtitled "Making peace
at the table and building healthy eating habits for life."
Feeding Your Child for Lifelong Health.
Susan B. Roberts, Melvin B. Heyman, and Lisa Tracy. DIANE Publishing Co., 2004. 353 p.
(ISBN 0-7567-7249-4)
An understanding, consumer-friendly book,
based on research on children's food and nutrition needs as a basis for
life-long health. Information about introducing new foods, appetite characteristics
as your child ages, sample meals --and a few healthy recipes! Chapters
focus on nutrition requirements of specific age groups. Appendix includes
lists of food sources of iron, calcium, and other nutrients, and standard
growth charts.
INTERNET WEBSITES
Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network
Separate sections of the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network website are directed to
parents, children, and teens. Website includes real-life suggestions on avoiding food allergens and coping with food restrictions.
Includes food manufacturer notices of ingredient changes.
Healthy
Eating
Practical suggestions, including snacks, to
help make it easy for children to eat healthy foods. From the Kidshealth
website of the Nemours Foundation. Links to related nutrition articles
on the website for parents, children, and teenagers. Includes links to
other recommended websites with additional nutrition information.
Healthy
Habits for Healthy Kids
From the American Dietetic Association, a
nonjudgmental, realistic online guide to encouraging children to establish
lifelong healthy eating and exercise habits. Recommendations on making
gradual, step-by-step changes. Includes suggestions for healthier choices
when dining at fast food restaurants, healthy snack ideas, and an outline
for a balanced diet.
Back
to Contents
GATHERING INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR CHILD'S HEALTH
AND ILLNESSES
BOOKS
American Academy of Pediatrics Guide to
Your Child's Symptoms. The Official, Complete Home Reference, Birth Through
Adolescence. Donald Schiff and Steven P. Shelov, editors. Villard,
1997. (ISBN 0-375-575257-9).
Questions about specific symptoms your child
may be experiencing with information on its "possible cause" and "actions
to take" when they are needed. Information presented in easy-to-read chart
format. Includes an illustrated first aid manual and a guide to your child's
safety.
Making informed medical decisions. Where
to look and how to use what you find. Nancy Oster, Lucy Thomas, Darol
Joseff. O'Reilly, 2000. (ISBN 1-56592-459-2 paperback).
The three different perspectives of the authors--a
physician, a medical writer, and a medical librarian--enhance the comprehensive
outlook of this beginner's guide to consumer health research. The book
discusses types and characteristics of information resources, planning
and prioritizing research, search strategies, finding and researching clinical
trials, effective communication with a doctor, and where to find support.
Interspersed with informative quotes from patients and family members about
their experiences.
Merck manual of medical information--second home
edition. Robert M. Berkow, editor in chief. Merck Research Laboratories,
2003. (ISBN 0-911910-35-2).
An authoritative, comprehensive guide to the
diagnosis and treatment of diseases, written for the health consumer. The fulltext
of the Merck
manual of medical information- second home edition is available on the Internet.
Includes a section on "Children's Health Issues."
Consult the Reference Librarian at your
public library for assistance in finding information about your child's
health. If your library cannot provide the information you request, you
or the librarian, if located in Connecticut, may contact Healthnet:
Connecticut Consumer Health Information Network at the University of
Connecticut Health Center Library for a customized information search in
the medical library.
INTERNET WEBSITES
Children's
Health
Hyperlinks to a variety of selected online
information about children's health and diseases: prevention, treatment,
coping, etc., from the MedlinePlus
website, published by the National Library of Medicine of the National
Institutes of Health, especially for health consumers.
Evaluating
Health Information
A collection of articles and brochures related
to finding accurate health information, from the MedlinePlus
website from the National Library of Medicine of the National Institutes
of Health.
Child
and Family Webguide: Parent Information on Child Development Research
Developed by Tufts University, this site describes
and evaluates websites that contain research-based information about child
development. A brief review of each website is available online. Categories
include education and learning, health and mental health, family and parenting,
and typical development. A rating system evaluates each website.
Meet
Dr. Greene
A pediatrician on the faculty of Stanford
University School of Medicine, Dr. Greene's online responses to parents'
questions appear on his website. There are separate sections for health-related
questions from children and teenagers and Dr. Greene's responses. There
is also a health encyclopedia on the website.
Back
to Contents
BEING YOUR CHILD'S HEALTH ADVOCATE
BOOK
Your Child in the Hospital. A Practical
Guide for Parents. Nancy Keene and Rachel Prentice. O'Reilly, 1999.
(ISBN 0-375-50032-4).
This book provides a variety of suggestions
for communicating with hospital staff and assuring competent hospital care
for your child. It includes specifics about effectively parenting your
child and her siblings while your child is hospitalized, as well as guidance
on maintaining records, negotiating with your insurance company, and keeping
close watch on your child's procedures and lab tests. This is a helpful,
practical, and detailed guide to coping with a challenging and difficult
situation.
INTERNET WEBSITES
20
Tips to Help Prevent Medical Errors in Children
Specific suggestions for proactive ways to
communicate with health care professionals to prevent medical mistakes
during your child's care. Questions to ask before dispensing medication,
in advance of medical tests, a hospital stay, and surgery. Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader on computer.
Connecticut
Parent Advocacy Center
Published by the CPAC, a "statewide nonprofit
organization that offers information and support to families of children
with any disability or chronic illness, age birth through 21," this website
includes a legislative update and links to various disability sites. There
is also an online list of the organization's resource collection about
children with disabilities that includes fact sheets, pamphlets, books,
and videotapes which can be borrowed.
A Parent's Guide to Special Education in Connecticut 2007
An online booklet describing special education services and eligibility
in Connecticut, steps for obtaining services for your child, and how to appeal if services are denied.
Published online and in print form by the Connecticut State Department of Education.
Back
to Contents
NEWS ABOUT CHILDREN'S HEALTH
In
the News
On the parents' section of the Kidshealth
website. Topical overviews of news related to children's health. Links
to related news articles and organizations and websites that provide additional
information.
MedlinePlus
Current news reports, under "Latest News," discussing children's
health, from government agencies and news syndicates, such as Reuters and
United Press International. On the MedlinePlus consumer health website
of the National Library of Medicine.
Children's
Health Headlines
From the Health News section of the Aetna
Intellihealth website. Current month's news articles focused on children's
health concerns, from news syndicates such as the Associated Press and
the New York Times News Service.
Back
to Contents
LONG TERM PLANNING FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL
NEEDS
BOOKS
Family handbook on future planning.
Richard Berkobien. ARC: Association for Retarded Citizens of the United
States, 1991. 133 p.
A practical planning guide for formulating
financial and legal plans for current and future needs of children with
special needs. Though an older book, its content and basic question and
answer format have unique value. Discusses educational needs, transition
to work and community life, plans for guardianship, as well as finances.
Includes an extensive list of print and organizational resources.
Laying community foundations for your child
with a disability: How to establish relationships that will support your
child after you're gone. Linda J. Stengle. WoodbineHouse, 1996. 217
p. (ISBN 0-933149-67-0)(Out of print.)
Emphasizes the need to plan social and family
continuity for your dependent child after your death. Detailed practical,
compassionate suggestions on encouraging friendships, establishing social
networks, planning residential options, selecting long-term advocates and
guardians.
Planning for the future. Providing a meaningful
life for a child with a disability after your death. L. Mark Russell,
Arnold E. Grant, Suzanne M. Joseph, Richard W. Fee. American Publishing
Co, 1995. 440 p. (ISBN 0-9635780-0-6)
With its focus on the legal aspect of planning,
this comprehensive book outlines how to prepare a life plan for a child's
future, including residential preferences and detailed personal daily preferences
that will provide continuity for the individual's future comfort. Includes
sample letters of intent and living wills. Numerous hypothetical family
stories highlight important details to consider in planning.
INTERNET WEBSITES
Exceptional
Parent magazine
Articles on financial planning for children with
special needs are included on the
website of Exceptional Parent magazine. Free online registration is required
for access to a limited selection of articles. Some Connecticut libraries have
subscriptions to the more complete, print version of the magazine.
PLAN of Connecticut, Inc.
Nonprofit organization that manages "trusts set up by families
for the benefit of their disabled members." Trusts do not require any minimum funding level.
Originally established by families of children with disabilities.
Special Needs Estate Planning Guidance System
From the website of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, nationwide
patient advocacy organization. Detailed explanation for families about the process of establishing a special
needs trust.
With Open Arms: Embracing a Bright Financial Future for You and Your Child With Disabilities
and Other Special Needs
A lengthy but clearly written guide about many aspects of providing financial
support for a child with special needs, on the website of the Easter Seals organization. Free online
registration required for Internet access to the full text of the guide.
Back
to Contents
This resource guide was compiled by Judith
Kronick, Healthnet Reference Librarian. If you have suggestions for this
list, please contact kronick@uchc.edu.
