Parenting Articles

Students with ASD: How to adjust to a new routine this school year

By Megan Swinford, social worker, Thompson Autism Center at CHOC Children’s Speak to any parent, and you’ll gain insight into the roller-coaster ride they’ve been on the past several months during the COVID-19 pandemic. Parents have adapted to having their children at home full-time while balancing their own work schedule, virtual learning, and have essentially … continue reading

The importance of well-checks during COVID-19

An upcoming well-check appointment for her teenage son had slipped Courtney Berney’s mind until her CHOC Children’s pediatrician called her one day with a reminder. “I didn’t even remember that we had a well-check,” she says. “I did ask if we should still go, even with COVID-19 happening.” Dr. Eric Ball gave Courtney an overview … continue reading

Acute flaccid myelitis: What parents should know

We know how alarming it can feel for parents to hear news reports about a medical emergency known as acute flaccid myelitis. This Q&A with CHOC Children’s pediatric experts offers answers to your frequently asked questions, including what to do if you suspect your child has acute flaccid myelitis. What is acute flaccid myelitis? Acute … continue reading

Breastfeeding during COVID-19

We understand how stressful it can be to navigate life as a new parent. With the added anxiety brought on by COVID-19, we want to share trusted information to breastfeeding mothers who are COVID-19 positive or suspected positive, on whether their milk is still safe and beneficial for their baby. COVID-19 is a new disease … continue reading

Understanding the role of cultural stigma on seeking mental health services

By Dr. Sheila Modir, pediatric psychologist; Baleska Alfaro, licensed marriage and family therapist; and Dr. Ava Casados and Dr. Sarah Ruiz, post-doctoral fellows at CHOC Children’s For some people, making an appointment with a mental health provider may be a personal and independent decision. For others, the decision to seek therapy services may be influenced … continue reading

Navigating summertime while living with IBD

Anyone living with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) knows that many different environmental factors can influence their disease – summertime included. Here are some tips from the gastroenterology team at CHOC Children’s for navigating the season. Vitamin D is so important for IBD. Many people living with IBD have low vitamin D levels, so the summer … continue reading