Posted on Thursday, August 18, 2016

Signs and Symptoms of Autism

All children develop at different rates. Some are walking and talking before their first birthday, while others seem to lag behind their peers. It’s normal for it to take time for your child to start forming sentences or identifying shapes and colors. But when should their developmental delay become a concern? Sometimes, the delay could be something more severe, such as autism. Autism is a mental condition where a child has difficulty communicating and interacting with others. Often times children with autism have slowed development or exhibit odd behaviors. Today, we’re going to discuss the signs and symptoms of autism.

First, they don’t respond to their name. Children should begin to respond to their name around 9 months of age. If you start to notice that your child is unresponsive when you call their name, mention it to their doctor. It could be a sign of a more serious issue.

Second, they dislike physical contact of any sort by anyone. Most children with autism don’t like to be touched. Even the slightest hug can throw them over the edge. It’s normal for a kid to be resistant to being touched by a stranger, but if they have a problem with physical contact with grandma or grandpa this should be a cause for concern.

Third, they have delayed speech or motor skills. You don’t need to be alarmed if your child isn’t talking up a storm by their first birthday; but, by the time they turn two, they should at least be saying a few simple words. You may also notice that they are very uncoordinated. Kids with autism usually have poor balance and coordination.

Fourth, you may notice odd, repetitive behaviors. Children with autism often repeat words or phrases. This is called echolalia. You also may have noticed that kids with autism have a tendency to rock back and forth. This is a typical repetitive behavior of children on the autism spectrum.

Fifth, they freak out or throw a tantrum when their routine gets changed. Most kids are able to go with the flow; however, kids with autism thrive on routine. If you notice they get upset at the thought of a changes in plans this may be a red flag.

Sixth, they avoid eye contact. There’s a difference between a kid who is shy and a kid who does not make eye contact. Children with autism are oftentimes in their own little world, so they aren’t fully engaged when they are speaking with you. Also, the thought of making eye contact can be very stressful for someone with autism.

Seventh, they play in an unusual manor. Children with autism typically don’t play pretend. They don’t play cops and robbers like most little kids do. They also like to line their toys up. Obviously this may be appropriate in some cases — for instance, if they’re playing with trains. But if you notice they line up their blocks every time they play with them, this may be a sign that something more serious is going on. Also, children with autism have a tendency to be highly organized. Keep this in mind when looking for signs and symptoms of autism.

If you notice any of these symptoms you should schedule an appointment for your child to see the doctor. The sooner these signs and symptoms are recognized the sooner you can get them the help they need.

Posted on Monday, August 15, 2016

6 Benefits of Farmers’ Markets

One of my favorite things to do in the summertime on a Saturday is to head down to the Eastern Market in Detroit with my girls. The market is filled with fresh produce and great values. Shopping local has a lot of benefits for your health and your pocket. Today, we will discuss six reasons why you should be shopping at the local farmer’s market

1. You’re supporting local farmers and the community.
Sadly, farming is becoming a thing of the past. Shopping local and buying from within the community helps to stimulate the economy. When the middle man — for example, a grocery store — is eliminated, it allows for a higher profit for the farmer. This also means it can be more affordable for the consumer. You would be pleasantly surprised to see how much produce you can get for cheap!

2. The produce is may be organic and not genetically modified.
Some farmers don’t use pesticides, which are harmful to your health. The soil that organic farmers use is higher quality and better for the environment. Also, the seeds they use to grow the produce are generally non-GMO. Also, keep in mind what grocery stores charge for organic produce. At an organic farmer’s market, you are getting fresh produce at an extremely inexpensive price.

3. The food is full of nutrients.
Have you ever noticed that the fruits and vegetables at the farmer’s market always look vibrant and delicious? The pigments found in produce is based off of the nutrients it contains. For example, vegetables that are bright orange in color, such as carrots, are high in carotenoids. The brighter the color the higher the concentration.

4. Everything is fresh.
Typically, the farmers pick the fruit in the morning before heading to the market. This way you are getting the freshest produce possible. The fruits and veggies that you find at the grocery store often sit there for days or weeks and some constantly get pushed to the bottom of the barrel. I once read that some apples found in the grocery store can be over a year old! Not only is the produce fresh but it’s perfectly ripe. It is picked at the optimal time when the sugars are at their peak. And since the produce is super fresh the favors are unbelievable.

5. They offer a wide variety of fruits and veggies.
It seems like every time I’m at the market I’m introduced to a new type of food or a new flavor. A lot of farmer’s grow things such as rhubarb and a range of different apples. Trying new foods can be fun and keeps you from getting bored when eating healthy.

6. You know where your food came from.
From farm to table, nothing in between. When you buy produce at the grocery store, no one really knows all of the places it stops along the way. Also, the more places it goes the more it changes hands is touched by people.

There are so many reasons to love farmer’s markets. They provide a wide variety of fresh, local produce at great prices. And going to the market is a fun social outing. Also keep in mind, farmer’s markets don’t only have fruits and vegetables. It’s a great place to pick up delicious pies and homemade jams. So grab some girlfriends and head to the market this weekend!

Posted on Thursday, August 11, 2016

Eye Exams for Kids

August is National Eye Health Exam Month. In Monday’s blog post we discussed 5 Things to Do to Get Your Child’s Health in Order Before School Starts. Taking your child in for their well visit is important, but it’s also extremely important that you get your child’s vision tested regularly. And what better time to do that than before the start of the school year?

If your child has a vision problem, they will have a very difficult time learning. If they can’t see the board they won’t catch everything the teacher has to say and will miss key information. Today, we will discuss the importance of getting regular eye exams, when should you get your kids eyes examined, and how to find out if you have vision coverage through your insurance.

They say the eyes are the windows to the soul. Your eyes can tell a lot about your overall health. Disorders, such as high blood pressure or diabetes, can be detected through a simple eye exam. A regular eye exam can also be important for preventing conditions like cataracts. These conditions are typically more common with age, but it never hurts to start getting eye exams at a young age as it is key for prevention. However, there are other eye conditions that are common in children. A lot of kids often times have a lazy eye, which requires patching in order to prevent future issues. Good vision won’t only be helpful in school, but it will also be helpful on the ball field. Having their eyes checked will increase their hand-eye coordination making sports a little easier.

If your child doesn’t seem to have any problems with their vision, or asymmetry in their eyes, it is probably safe to wait until around age five to get them their first eye exam. This way any vision issues can be fixed before starting kindergarten so they are able to learn. However, if you notice issues with their vision before the age of five schedule an appointment, the earlier you correct something the easier it will be. If your child does have vision problems, it’s important that they get an eye exam annually to make sure their prescription still works for them.

So how do you know if your insurance covers eye exams for children? First and foremost, you must look at your individual plan. You can call your insurance provider and ask if that is a benefit under your plan. Adult vision care typically isn’t covered under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), however, pediatric vision care is a required benefit on all ACA plans. This applies for all children covered on the plan who are under the age of 19.

Taking care of your child’s eye health is just as important as their physical and mental help. So when you schedule your child’s well visit before the school year starts make sure you also schedule them their annual eye exam!

For more healthcare tips for you and your family, check out my workbook for dealing with caring for your children, as well as your aging parents: Life in the Sandwich Generation. Life in the Sandwich Generation is a workbook filled with information, tips and tricks for managing the demands needing to care for your aging parents, as well as taking care of your children. It details how you can involve your children in the process, how to learn more about your parents health and finances, while still making time for yourself and your spouse. You can find it here for only $10!