Connecticut Children's Blog

Each year Connecticut Children’s treats young children aged 4 and under who are severely injured in incidents involving lawn mowers, some even losing limbs as a result. Garry Lapidus, PA-C, MPH, director of the Injury Prevention Center at Connecticut Children’s, notes that about 10,000 children are injured each year by lawn mowing equipment. To reduce […]

When Matt and Kristen Daly were invited to serve on the Steering Committee for a new Infusion & Dialysis Center at Connecticut Children’s last year, they didn’t have to think twice. “We were honored to be asked,” Matt said. And when the Glastonbury residents were asked to consider a leadership gift toward the construction of […]

For Amanda and Christopher Renz, pulmonology issues have been a long-standing family affair—along with related medical problems. “Our journey in the medical world began shortly after the birth of our first daughter, Molly, in 2005,” said Molly’s mother, Amanda Renz. “By the time she reached her first birthday, she had suffered through nearly a dozen […]

With father’s Day fast approaching we’re introducing you to a few of our many doctors who do double-duty as Dads! Meet Dr. Nicholas Bennett, division head of Connecticut Children’s Division of Infectious Diseases & Immunology! How many children do you have and how old are they? I have two kids – a young man aged […]

By: Virginia M. Van Epps, M.Ed. CCC-SLP, CLC Speech-language assessment of children growing up bilingual is an area of increasing need and demand. Parents will oftentimes demonstrate an interest in maintaining a bilingual household, but they will be concerned about whether this may put undue demand on their child or put their child at a […]

By: Virginia M. Van Epps, M.Ed. CCC-SLP, CLC The recognition of the importance of early diagnosis and intervention for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is ever increasing. Likewise, the demand for these services is continually on the rise. Speech-language pathologists are one of numerous professionals who play a critical role in serving children and […]

By Lynelle Schneeberg, PsyD, “The Kid’s Bedtime Doctor” Do you have an older child who is not yet dry at night? If so, Connecticut Children’s Sleep Center may be able to help! Bedwetting is considered normal until about age 6. But if your older child is still not dry at night, he or she may […]

By Bradley S. Jerson, PhD Although signs of spring are just beginning to show, it is not too early to start thinking about ways to help your child make the most of the move to a new school year this fall. During the next months, schools hold planning meetings for the transition to the next […]

Through Connecticut Children’s Therapy Dog Program, our dedicated team of certified, fully-trained therapy dogs and volunteers visit the Medical Center on a regular basis to bring comfort and cheer to our patients, families and team members. Over the next few weeks we’ll be introducing you to a few of our four-legged-friends and their handlers. Today, […]

In honor of National Siblings Day, meet two special families who are supporting their siblings with Sickle Cell Disease! 

By Caitlin Silliman, MOT, OTR/L In honor of National Occupational Therapy Month, Connecticut Children’s Occupational Therapy department is sharing some information on what we can do for your child, and offering some strategies to try out at home. Difficulty transitioning between activities is a common complaint we often hear from caregivers. Children who have difficulty […]

By: Marcus Smith Over the past 15 years, Connecticut Children’s Healthy Homes Program (Healthy Homes) has made quite an impact building stronger children, families and communities in Connecticut. To date, Healthy Homes has made more than 2,500 housing units lead safe, while also eliminating hazards in about 350 housing units, installing safety equipment in more […]

In recognition of World Autism Awareness Day, we sat down with Connecticut Children’s Autism Clinical Specialist and Research Coordinator Jennifer Twachtman-Bassett, M.S. CCC-SLP, CCRP to learn more about autism spectrum disorder and how Connecticut Children’s is helping to make life easier for patients and families affected by the condition. What are some challenges children with […]

In recognition of National Poison Prevention Week, Margaret Burke, Pharm.D., CSPI shares some facts about accidental poisonings in children and what to do if you think your child (or you) has been exposed to a poison.  What to Do If You Think a Child Is Exposed to a Poison If the child appears to be […]

Child life specialists are dedicated to supporting the emotional needs of hospitalized children. They help children understand and cope with procedures, illnesses, treatments and extended hospital stays. In honor of Child Life Month, we sat down with Child Life Specialist Katie Robbins to learn more about her experiences and why she chose such a special […]

In celebration of #PatientSafetyWeek, we’re introducing you to a few of our safety coaches, who are trained to observe work behaviors and provide real-time feedback about practice and compliance with Connecticut Children’s safety behaviors and standards. Kristina Lawrence Why did you become a safety coach? I became a safety coach to promote change and safety […]

By: Donna Gitt MA, RDN, CDN March is National Nutrition Month, and this year’s theme is to “Go Further with Food!” This message comes with a lot of different meanings, from stretching your family’s food budget, to eating and hydrating for a big race, to starting your day with a good healthy breakfast. Connecticut Children’s […]

By Glenn Flores, MD, FAAP More than 4.8 million American children lack health insurance, which is six percent of our population. Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program have made great strides in getting more children enrolled in public health insurance programs. However, with 72 percent of those uninsured children eligible for such programs, much […]

By Jim Shmerling, DHA, FACHE, President and CEO, Connecticut Children’s Medical Center Ever since the Florida school shootings last week I have been asked several times, “What is the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center’s position on gun control?” I have debated posting my own personal position, but worry that my opinion may not reflect accurately that […]