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Today, approximately 1 in 88 children are diagnosed with ASDs, or autism spectrum disorders, according to the U. S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The gender divide between boys and girls is considerable. Among boys, the number is 1 in 54. For girls, it’s 1 in 252. Even among girls, however, the numbers are growing. Autism is a serious condition that can hinder development if not carefully monitored and treated. However, a new study recently published online in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders has surfaced, indicating that sensory therapy treatment may help children who are affected by ASDs.

What is sensory integration?
Sensory therapy, or sensory integration, is a way to help autistic children become more comfortable and familiar with certain sounds, sights, smells, tastes and textures. Using play, therapists and parents can help introduce children to these sensations that occur in their daily lives, which otherwise may seem threatening or jarring.

Children who are affected by ASDs often find certain types of stimulation to be overwhelming. Even something as simple as the sound of a vacuum cleaner or the feel of a certain type of fabric can cause extreme distress or confusion. These reactions to everyday sensations can limit a person’s capabilities, making even simple tasks like cleaning the house or getting dressed for the day seem complicated or hostile. However, using sensory integration, parents and health care professionals can help affected children lead more normal lives.

“If you ask parents of children with autism what they want for their kids, they’ll say they want them to be happy, to have friends, to be able to participate in everyday activities,” said study author Roseann Schaaf, Ph.D. Schaaf works as an occupational therapist at Thomas Jefferson University’s School of Health Professions, in Philadelphia.

According to Schaaf, sensory integration isn’t a new therapy, but it has been viewed as controversial in the past, in part because it had not been scrutinized until this point.

How sensory integration helps
In Schaaf’s admittedly small study, 32 children between the ages of 4 and 8 were assigned to one of two groups. The first group received their usual ASD treatments and therapies, including both medication and behavioral therapy. The second group continued their ongoing treatments, with the addition of 30 sensory integration sessions over the course of 10 weeks. Parents participating in the study were asked to outline a list of simple goals for the duration of the study, such as trying new foods or learning to get dressed in the morning without a struggle.

Children exposed to sensory integration were paired with an occupational therapist who created an individualized plan to integrate sensory therapy and meet the family’s goals. They worked in a “gym” setting, using ball pits, carpeted scooter boards, mats, swings and other equipment designed to help the kids be more comfortable being active in the sensory setting.

After 10 weeks, Schaaf’s research showed that the children exposed to sensory integration scored better in reaching the goals outlined by the families at the start of the study. These children were also showing better results in their daily routines.

“Parents rated their kids as more independent in self-care and participation in everyday activities,” Schaaf said.

Schaaf’s results suggest that introducing an element of sensory integration to an ASD child’s usual treatment plan, which should also include behavioral therapy and medication, can help manage the condition.

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When it gets right down to it, all parents should monitor all medications their child may be taking, whether the child is athletic or not. However, a new report indicates that teens who participate in athletic teams and activities are more likely to mismanage or abuse their prescribed medications.

Of particular concern are prescriptions that contain opioids, an addictive narcotic substance that is frequently prescribed to help manage pain. Because athletes tend to incur more injuries than non-athletes, these teens tend to be prescribed opioid pain medications more often, presenting them with a greater chance of running into problems with abuse and addiction. With as many as 7.5 million adolescents taking part in athletic programs and the number of injuries totaling up at around 2 million each year, this presents a significant problem to the teen population.

A study recently published in the Journal of Adolescent Health followed 1,540 teens and their usage of prescription medications. It showed that athletic adolescent children were more likely to be prescribed these types of strong painkillers, due mostly to the fact that their sports-related injuries tended to be more severe than others. Researchers found that, while male and female athletes were both likely to encounter these types of medications as part of treatment, boys were prescribed them more often and were significantly more likely to misuse or abuse the meds than girls.

One reason researchers believe this may be true is because boys are more likely to engage in rougher, full-contact sports such as wrestling or football, both of which have higher rates of injury. Another reason, researchers postulated, is the strong and unique influence the sports culture has on young men.

“Adolescent males depend on sports for social status, the maintenance of relationships with male peers and family members,” said lead researcher Philip Veliz, Ph.D., of the Institute for Research on Women and Gender at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. “In other words, sports are a powerful site to be recognized as a man, and male adolescents will sacrifice their bodies through athletic performances to prove their masculinity. Consequently, opioid use and misuse among males could be the byproduct of a play-through-pain culture.”

Despite the potential for abuse, however, Veliz and his colleagues don’t recommend that parents ask physicians to forgo this type of pain medication altogether. Opioids are frequently prescribed to adults as well, and young adulthood is the perfect time to help kids develop their pain management processes early in life, so that abuse or addiction is less likely as they grow through adulthood. In fact, parental engagement and monitoring can significantly decrease the likeliness of abuse. According to Veliz, teens are often given these medications and then left unsupervised, with parents assuming they’ll follow the label instructions. Parents who make it a point to know what the recommended doses are and inquire about them on a regular basis may help their children behave more responsibly when managing addictive pain medications such as opioids.

A growing problem in the US
The mismanagement of opioids and other addictive painkillers is a serious issue. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, these medications were responsible for  more than 475,000 emergency room visits in 2009 – a number which has since doubled. Children who learn to use these prescriptions responsibly at an early age will have a better chance of avoiding circumstances such as addiction, illness and overdose as a result of these medications.

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Parents and children are busier than ever these days, and it can be difficult to carve time out of the weekly routine to make an additional doctor’s appointment and bring the family in to get vaccinated. Unfortunately, this leads to many cases of illness that could otherwise have been prevented. But what can be done to help parents make time to ensure that their families are protected?

A group of researchers from the University of Michigan set out to study the question. By collaborating with the Michigan Department of Community Health, the study group found that by using the Michigan Care Improvement Registry – a public health database that tracks immunizations in the state – to track those who had not received the vaccine and send reminders to their households, more people could be encouraged to get vaccinated. Their findings were published in the Nov. 14 issue of the American Journal of Public Health.

In testing their theories, the university researchers looked at the events that occurred around the H1N1 pandemic during the 2009-2010 flu season, and began by tracking the progress of the MDCH’s statewide influenza vaccine reminder campaign. Reminder letters were sent to parents of children who were known to have chronic health conditions like asthma or diabetes who had not yet received the recommended shot.

The MDCH selected these families to receive the letters, citing that children who are affected by these types of chronic conditions also had an increased risk of experiencing more severe complications from H1N1 influenza. Because of this, the state organization recommended that parents see their child’s regular health care provider or a local health department in order to make an appointment to get the vaccination.

In studying the vaccination records for the 2009-2010 flu season, researchers were able to determine that late vaccination rates for children who received the reminder letters were much higher than those for children without chronic conditions, who didn’t receive the letters.

“Immunization registries like MCIR are important public health tools. This study shows the value of using immunization registries to prompt parents of children with a chronic condition to get that child vaccinated,” explained Kevin Dombkowski, research associate professor with the University of Michigan’s Child Health Evaluation and Research Unit.

What does this mean for the future?
Dombkowski said that this study was an important one for determining how the state of Michigan, and the entire country, might move forward with pandemic protection. By using these reminder letters, public health officials can do their part to help remind parents of important vaccinations for serious and even potentially life-threatening viruses.

The letters, which were sent exclusively to the parents of children with serious chronic conditions in the 2009-2010 flu season, could be used to help all children and even adults who have not received their vaccinations. While the costs of such a program may once have been considered, options such as text messaging and email distribution have made them less prohibitive. According to Dombkowski, the MDCH has made a significant investment of both time and resources maintaining the MCIR, making it one of the most effective immunization registries in the country, able to serve as a model for other states.

Even with a vaccination, contracting the flu is still possible. Parents whose children do get the virus should contact their child’s health care professional as soon as possible for treatment. Treating the flu early can help prevent complication.

FLAVORX makes medicinal flavorings that can help children take their medicine. Ask your pharmacist how to get FLAVORx for your child.

Approximately 1 in every 88 children born today will be diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder, and male children are even more likely to show signs of the conditions, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. By recognizing the signs and symptoms of ASDs earlier, parents can work with their child’s doctors and specialists to determine the individual plan that is best for the developing child and reduce some of the negative feelings that are often associated with this difficult time.

What are autism spectrum disorders?
Autism spectrum disorders, or ASDs, are a group of developmental disabilities in which those diagnosed process information differently within the brain, often leading to irregular behavioral, communicative or social behaviors. The CDC posits there are several different types of autism, including autistic disorder, Asperger’s syndrome and pervasive developmental disorder, not otherwise specified.

Autistic disorder, usually referred to as “classic autism,” is often associated with significant challenges in communication and social interactions as well as language delays. People who are affected by autistic disorder frequently exhibit behaviors and interests that are considered unusual. Some but not all persons also show intellectual disability. Autistic disorder is what most people think of when they think of ASDs.

Asperger’s syndrome is often a milder form of autism that causes the individual to experience challenges in socialization but rarely causes language or intellectual problems. Individuals with Asperger’s may also exhibit unusual behaviors and interests.

Those who are diagnosed with pervasive developmental disorder, not otherwise specified, or PDD-NOS display milder symptoms than those with classic autism or Asperger’s syndrome. Communicative challenges and social challenges are most prevalent in those diagnosed with this condition.

How can I tell if my child has autism?
Only a medical professional can definitively diagnose a child with an ASD, however, if you are concerned that your child may be affected, there are a number of signs you can watch for in the early years of his or her life.

One new study recently published in the journal Nature suggests that one of the earliest indicators of an ASD in the early months of a child’s life is whether or not an infant shows interest in making eye contact with others. The study, funded by the National Institute of Mental Health, suggests that a child’s declining interest in meeting the eyes of those around him or her may be an early indicator.

Other warning signs include not responding to their own name by 12 months of age, not showing an interest in socializing or playing games based on learning or imagination, delayed speech and language skills, repeating words or phrases over and over without reason and responding to questions with unrelated answers. Children may also appear to behave irrationally – such as becoming quickly upset – over seemingly trivial things, such as minor changes to their environment or the way something sounds, looks, feels, smells or tastes. Other, more physical signs include excessive flapping of the hands, rocking of the body or spinning in circles.

Wondering whether your child may be affected by autism can be a difficult time for parents, however, there are a number of treatments and therapies that can help control the disorder and enable the child to lead a full and happy life. If your child has been diagnosed with an ASD, work closely with doctors to develop an individualized plan that will give your child the best chance of success. Such treatments often include a mix of therapy and medications that will help the child adjust to his or her surroundings.

FLAVORx makes medicinal flavorings that can help make taking medicine easier for children. Ask your pharmacist how to get FLAVORx with your child’s prescription.

People often make the mistake of thinking that because something is sold over the counter, it is also safe. However, many OTC medications have powerful effects that may be harmful if the medication is not taken exactly as prescribed on the label. One of the most critical things to pay attention to when reading labels is the dosages recommended per age level. In many cases, children's recommended dosages will be half or even less than half of what is prescribed for an adult. And in other cases, labels recommend that medications not be given to children at all, especially when they're under 2 years of age.

Unfortunately, children under 2 still get sick, and it can be difficult for parents to watch their infant or toddler struggling with an illness they can't comprehend. While this has led many to "bend the rules" and give their toddlers a tiny taste of cold medicine in the hopes of alleviating symptoms and making the child feel better, doctors say "don't!"

Children are still growing and developing, and their systems are not as strong as those of their adult counterparts. Medications that can be safely processed by adults may actually be toxic to children. In fact, cough and cold medicine in particular has been responsible for many infant and toddler trips to the emergency room, and has – in more than one case – resulted in fatal overdose.

What doctors are doing about it
In response to increasing episodes of infant ER visits, those in the medical field have ramped up their efforts to educate the public and regulate OTC manufacturers. In 2007, many over-the-counter cold and cough syrup manufacturers in the U.S. voluntarily withdrew their products from the shelves. The following year, these medications were reintroduced with revised packaging aimed at informing parents about the products' proper use. Among the changes were enlarged labels advising parents not to give OTC cough and cold medication to children under 4 years of age.

In November 2013, five years after the change, a study entitled "Cough and Cold Medication Adverse Events After Market Withdrawal and Labeling Revision" appeared in the December issue of the journal Pediatrics. The study, sponsored by the American Academy of Pediatrics, showed that the relabeling and re-education efforts were having the desired effect. ER visits for children below 3 years of age had decreased across the country. Before the campaign to reduce OTC cold medication in infants, these episodes accounted for 4.1 percent of all adverse-drug events resulting in ER visits for children under the age of 2. At the time of the study, that number had declined to 2.4 percent. For children in the 2-3 age range, the number decreased from 9.5 percent to 6.5 percent.

Also important among the findings was that, of the number of current ER visits, growing amounts were caused by unsupervised ingestion. Study authors said that this indicates that the next step in the campaign to end OTC overdose in children may come in the form of improved packaging, such as enhanced child-safety mechanisms, as well as better education on safe storage practices of OTC medications.

What parents can do right now
Parents should always ensure that their medications are out of reach of young children. Placing them on high shelves or tucking them away in a cabinet with a child-safe lock is best. Parents of young children should also carefully read packaging to see whether a child-safe package is available. In addition, children should always be carefully monitored when taking oral medications such as cough and cold syrups.

FLAVORx makes medicinal flavorings that can make medicine time easier for children. Ask your pharmacist how you can get FLAVORx for your child.

Many parents confuse mild to moderate allergies with instances of the common cold, which is understandable. Symptoms are similar, ranging from coughing, sneezing and runny nose to swollen, itchy nose and eyes. And in the autumn, which is kick-off season for both allergies and colds, children are just as disposed to pick up either one. Unless, it appears, you live in the southern United States. New research being presented this week at the Annual Scientific Meeting of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology has found that children who live in the South are more likely to experience signs and symptoms of hay fever.

The AAAI estimates that approximately 50 million Americans experience some form of allergies, and up to 18 percent of kids in the U.S. are affected by hay fever specifically. Researchers focused on reports of 91,642 children age 17 or younger who participated in the 2007 National Survey of Children's Health. The survey found that the majority of hay fever-affected children were living in the southern U.S., while the states that experienced the least frequency of hay fever were Alaska, Montana and Vermont. While the exact cause of the disparity is unknown, these circumstances lead researchers to believe that the cause is most likely environmental, and related to factors such as temperature, precipitation and exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Hay fever, known also as allergic rhinitis, is most likely to affect people in the spring and fall months.

"According to the study, wetter regions with average humidity were associated with a decreased number of children with hay fever," said Michael Foggs, MD, ACAAI president-elect. "The study also found areas of the South with warm temperatures and elevated UV indexes seem to harbor more hay fever sufferers."

How to cope with a hay fever allergy
Though instances of the allergies are more prevalent in the southern regions, researchers don't advocate that parents consider relocating in order to escape the illness. Instead, parents should work on limiting their child's exposure to allergy triggers and seeking the appropriate medications from the child's pediatrician.

Most who are allergic to hay fever can blame ragweed as the culprit, however, there are other grasses that may affect their symptoms or cause a flare-up. Learning what these triggers are and avoiding them when possible can help reduce the severity of symptoms. Using an air purifier in the home and keeping the windows up during car rides can also help keep symptoms at bay.

In some cases, prescription medication may be the best solution for the child. According to the Mayo Clinic, there are a number of available treatments, including antihistamines, corticosteroids, decongestants and vaccinations. Talking to a doctor or pharmacist may help ascertain what's best for an individual child.

FLAVORx makes medicinal flavorings that can help make medicine time easier for children. Ask your pharmacist how you can get FLAVORx for your child today.