Kids Health Info

What does autism look like in children, and how can parents better understand neurodiversity? In this episode, host Dr Anthea Rhodes is joined by developmental paediatrician Dr Toby Rheinberger to explore the many ways autistic traits can present across childhood. 

Discover how autism may show up at different ages, what strengths and challenges can accompany neurodivergence, and how families can support their child’s development, communication, and wellbeing. 

Kids Health Info is funded thanks to the support of the Good Friday Appeal. 

For more information related to autism and neurodiversity, visit Amaze: What is Autism - Amaze - Shaping the future for autism 

Ever wondered if your teen needs supplements, protein powders or other special dietary tweaks? This episode pulls together the information you need.  

Getting teens to consume a balanced and nutritious diet isn’t always easy. They might be going straight to sport after school with little time to eat or they could be snacking before dinner and not so interested in the nutritious meal you’re serving up at dinner.  

If you’re facing challenges in supporting your teen to get their three and five (that’s fruit and vegetables), then join host Dr Anthea Rhodes and guest, Paediatric Dietitian Tayla Rabie for a chat about helping teens to make nutritious food choices.  

Kids Health Info is funded thanks to the support of the Good Friday Appeal.

Explore related Kids Health Info fact sheets here: 

Kids health info fact sheets: Nutrition – teens and young people

Information to share with your teenager: Teen Health Info : Food and nutrition – eating a balanced diet 

Have you ever wondered if your child could be showing signs of anxiety? Anxiety can show up in many ways for children and in this episode our host Dr Anthea Rhodes is joined by clinical psychologist Dr Grace McMahon to unpack these symptoms.  

Learn about the ways in which anxiety can show up for children at different ages and stages, what might be driving it, and how parents can navigate anxiety in their children.  

Kids Health Info is funded thanks to the support of the Good Friday Appeal. 

Explore related Kids Health Info fact sheets here: 

Kids Health Info : Anxiety in children 

If you’ve ever found yourself thinking “I’m not sure my child is reaching their full potential”, you might be one of the many parents who is concerned about attention challenges.  

In this episode our host Dr Anthea Rhodes is joined by Clinical Neuropsychologist Dr Bernice Dodds to unpack the experiences of families who might be navigating an ADHD diagnosis or other attention challenges. Learn about the signs you might want to keep an eye out for and the support available to you and your family as we explore this topic.  

Kids Health Info is funded thanks to the support of the Good Friday Appeal 

Explore related Kids Health Info fact sheets here: 

Kids Health Info : Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)  

If you’ve ever found yourself thinking “I’m not sure my child is reaching their full potential”, you might be one of the many parents who is concerned about attention challenges.  

In this episode our host Dr Anthea Rhodes is joined by Clinical Neuropsychologist Dr Bernice Dodds to unpack the experiences of families who might be navigating an ADHD diagnosis or other attention challenges. Learn about the signs you might want to keep an eye out for and the support available to you and your family as we explore this topic.  

Kids Health Info is funded thanks to the support of the Good Friday Appeal.

Explore related Kids Health Info fact sheets here: Kids Health Info : Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)  

Parents often feel like they need to be everything to everyone and do it all perfectly. This can be overwhelming as it is but add medical complexities or behavioural challenges and stress can reach boiling point. 

In this episode our host Dr Anthea Rhodes is joined by Clinical Psychologist Dr Caitlyn Gourlay to explain what it means to be a ‘good enough parent’ and what your kids really need from you.  

This episode is packed with simple tips and advice, as well as information about resources that parents can explore to find support.  

Kids Health Info is funded thanks to the support of the Good Friday Appeal 

In this episode, Dr Caitlyn mentioned a few resources. Here are some that parents may wish to explore:

Tuning into kids: https://www.kidsfirstaustralia.org.au/program/tuning-into-kids/  

Tuning into teens: https://www.relationshipsvictoria.org.au/child-parenting-courses/tint-kew/  

Circle of Security: https://www.circleofsecurityinternational.com/blogs/resources/tagged/parents  

This way up: https://thiswayup.org.au/  

If you’re located outside of Victoria and seeking support, we recommend contacting your local council to explore programs that may be available to you.  

For more information, search ‘Kids Health Info’ to access our fact sheets. 

Australian teens learn about the dangers of smoking in the classroom, but is there an extra role for parents to play?

In this episode of the Kids Health Info podcast, our host, Dr Anthea Rhodes, is joined by Respiratory Specialist, Dr Moya Vandeleur, to explain the facts about nicotine that parents need to know.

Exploring the challenges that parents face in having conversations with their teens about cigarettes, vapes and oral nicotine pouches, this episode covers the impacts these products can have and unpacks the myth that there is any ‘healthy’ form of nicotine consumption.

Parents seeking support to navigate the quitting process with their teens can visit: https://www.quit.org.au/en

Kids Health Info is funded thanks to the support of the Good Friday Appeal.

Explore more by reading our Kids Health Info fact sheet and share our Teen Health Info fact sheet with your young person.

Few things are more frightening for a parent than seeing their child have a seizure — especially when it’s unexpected and linked to a fever. In this episode, host Dr Anthea Rhodes is joined by Emergency Department doctor Sandy Hopper to help parents understand febrile seizure. They explain what febrile seizures are, why they happen, how common they are, and what parents should do if their child experiences one. With calm, clear advice and expert insight, this episode helps parents understand the difference between febrile convulsions and other types of seizures and offers reassurance about what to expect if it happens to your child.

Kids Health Info is funded thanks to the support of the Good Friday Appeal.

Explore related Kids Health Info fact sheets here: Kids Health Info : Febrile seizures

The social media delay is now in place and Australian teens aged under 16 will no longer be able to access some online platforms. But now what? How can parents support their teens through this transition and what else should they be doing to make sure their children can thrive in an increasingly online world? Host Dr Anthea Rhodes is joined by Paul Clark, Executive Manager, Education Prevention and Communities at the eSafety Commission to discuss what parents need to know about these topics and more.

In an ever-changing world it can feel challenging to know what to teach your children about online safety and what you should be doing to support them. This episode contains some simple tips that families can put in place to help set their children up for success and safety. Parents can learn more about screen time and social media here: Kids Health Info : Screen time and social media – teens and young people

We have also developed a version of this fact sheet that you can share with your teen: Teen Health Info : Screen time and social media

Learn more about the regulations and support available at eSafety.gov.au: Social media age restrictions hub | eSafety Commissioner

If you or your teen need to speak to someone, there is support available:

Kids Helpline: Kids Helpline | Phone Counselling Service | 1800 55 1800

Lifeline: Home | Lifeline

Headspace: headspace National Youth Mental Health Foundation

Kids Health Info is funded thanks to the support of the Good Friday Appeal.

Sunscreen has been in the spotlight over the past few months, making it tough for parents to know what products they can trust to keep their kids safe.

In this bonus episode of the Kids Health Info podcast, our host, Dr Anthea Rhodes, is joined by Dr Susan Robertson, Director of Dermatology at The Royal Children’s Hospital to unpack some of the mystery surrounding sun protection.

Exploring ways to keep your family safe this summer, they unpack how you can check the sunscreen you have purchased and explain the other essential steps you should be taking to protect yourself and your family from harmful sun exposure.

In the episode, the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods was discussed. You can check the ARTG number of any product by visiting their website: Searching the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) | Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)

Kids Health Info is funded thanks to the support of the Good Friday Appeal.

Explore related Kids Health Info fact sheets here: Kids health info fact sheet: https://www.rch.org.au/kidsinfo/fact_sheets/Sun_safety/

Information to share with your teenager: https://www.rch.org.au/teeninfo/fact-sheets/Staying_safe_in_the_sun