Kids Considered™ Podcast

In this podcast we are joined by Dr. Aishah Patterson to discuss stuttering. We review typical speech development where disfluencies will occur as a part of completely normal development. We also review signs that indicate a more persistent dysfluency such as stuttering. We highlight risk factors for developing a stutter and what interventions can be helpful to reduce stuttering. We also discuss some of the psycho-social implications of having a speech disfluency and highlight many successful and high-powered people with stutters. 

We thank Dr. Aishah Patterson, Associate Professor in Communication Sciences and Disorders at California State University in Sacramento, for joining us for this episode, although Drs. Dean and Lena take full responsibility for any errors or misinformation.

Photo from Stanford.edu

In this podcast we review ankyloglossia, commonly known as tongue tie. This occurs when an individual is born with a tight band of tissue tethering the tongue to the base of the mouth. There is a lot of discussion surrounding how tongue ties can affect newborns and people as they grow. In this episode we review the evidence (which is limited), discuss the impacts tongue tie may have on breastfeeding and common procedures for releasing a tongue tie. 

We would like to thank Dr. Adrienne Hoyt-Austin, pediatrician & breastfeeding researcher & certified lactation consultant reviewing this episode, although Drs Lena and Dean take responsibility for any errors or misinformation. 

In this podcast we talk about the most common cause of abnormal head shape in babies - positional or deformational plagiocephaly. Plagiocephaly is very common, with an estimated 20-40% of infants having a degree of plagiocephaly at some stage. We discuss how to differentiate plagiocephaly from other more serious causes of head shape differences. We review the common contributors to plagiocephaly, how to minimize risk (hint- more tummy time!) We also discuss the treatment options, including physical therapy and when a helmet may be indicated. 

We would like to thank Dr. Serena Yang, Division Chief of General Pediatrics at UC Davis for reviewing this episode, although Drs Lena and Dean take responsibility for any errors or misinformation. 

In this episode we are joined by Dr. Marcia Faustin, a UC Davis sports medicine physician and team doctor for the USA women's gymnastics team. We discuss the importance of nutrition in young athletes. We review some of the complications that can occur if athletes do not supply their active bodies with enough nutrients and calories- including a common entity called relative energy deficiency in sports, also known as RED-S. We talk about the signs of RED-S, the most common sports where athletes are affected, how it is evaluated and treated, and importantly how to prevent this from occurring in the first place. 

Photo from Colorado State- Food Smart

It's that time of the year again. The time to make the annual trip to our doctors offices and local pharmacies to get the influenza vaccine. This year there are two new vaccinations to consider adding to our yearly fall and winter protection. In this episode, we talk to Dr. Dean about the most recent recommendations surrounding covid vaccinations including who is eligible and how many shots are needed. We also review the data from the recently approved RSV vaccine for infants and stress the importance of yearly protection against influenza. 

Get ready to LISTEN closely because in this episode we are talking about pediatric hearing loss. We are joined by UC Davis pediatric otolaryngologist, Dr. Aditi Bhuskute who specialized in treatment for hearing loss and cochlear implantation. We review the complex anatomy of the ear and which structures are critical for hearing development and noise transmission. We review the importance of screening for hearing in newborns and at well-child visits. As well as talk about the most common types of hearing loss in kids and what strategies and procedures may be used to help a child who is deaf or hard of hearing. 

Photo from UCSF audiology

In this episode we are joined by pediatric otolaryngologist Dr. Erynne Faucett to discuss tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy. We review the anatomy- why do we even have tonsils and adenoids? We discuss signs and symptoms of enlarged tonsils and adenoids, as well as review the indications for tonsil and adenoid removal and what to expect from the procedure and recovery process. 

First 5 California’s- Stronger Starts campaign to educate families of young children on the harmful effects toxic stress and adverse childhood experiences (ACES). We discuss what ACES and toxic stress are and how these experiences can change our physiology and put us at risk for negative health outcomes. We talk about all the ways caregivers can show up for kids and reduce their risk for toxic stress- from singing & play to self-care – we can all work together to ensure all kids get a strong start.

We are joined by Dr. Nadine Burke Harris, pediatrician and the former Surgeon General of California and Jackie Thu-Huong Wong, the Executive Director of First 5 California.

Photo from parentmap.com

In this special 2-part episode we are collaborating with First 5 California’s- Stronger Starts campaign to educate families of young children on the harmful effects toxic stress and adverse childhood experiences (ACES). We discuss what ACES and toxic stress are and how these experiences can change our physiology and put us at risk for negative health outcomes. We talk about all the ways caregivers can show up for kids and reduce their risk for toxic stress- from singing & play to self-care – we can all work together to ensure all kids get a strong start.

 We are joined by Dr. Nadine Burke Harris, pediatrician and the former Surgeon General of California and Jackie Thu-Huong Wong, the Executive Director of First 5 California.

 Additional Resources

Campaign Video

First 5 California - Stronger Starts Website

First 5 California Website

First 5 California- The Dragon Song

ACESaware.org

My Number Story

Dr. Buke-Harris TED Talk

HealthyChildren.org- Adverse Childhood Experiences

AAP.org- ACES and toxic stress

Photo from todaysparent.com

In this summer re-play (originally aired July 2019), we revisit a past 2-part episode exploring the joys and challenges of traveling with young children.

We highlight the benefits of travel for nurturing relationships and fostering empathy. We discuss practical tips for travel with different age groups. From air travel tips, to choosing travel destinations this episode will offer valuable insights for making family travel a rewarding and memorable experience.

We thank Amy Zide at the UC Davis Child Life and Creative Arts Therapy Department at UC Davis Children’s Hospital for reviewing this episode.

We will be back in August 2023 with new content!