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Social Innovation Spotlight: Lactation Innovations Social innovators, also known as changemakers, seek to address social needs by developing new and improved practices compared to existing solutions. Changemakers have made significant contributions in areas such as working conditions, education, community development, health, and

10 Apps to Help Young Kids Deal With Their Emotions By Melissa Santos, PhD: When your young child has big feelings in their little body, they may not know what to do about it. To help, you can work with them on a coping toolbox, mindfulness exercises or quick resets . Or, if you’re into wellness apps, you can turn to your phone: There are a growing

What’s Next? Helping Your Teen Decide What to Do After High School By Lauren K. Ayr-Volta, PhD: For most of their lives, kids and teens are told exactly where they’ll be and what they’ll be doing in the year to come. Their teachers and families prepare them for the transition from one grade to the next, and for the move from elementary to middle to high school. Then, at the

5 Things to Know About the Omicron BA.2 Subvariant By John R. Schreiber, MD, MPH: Since the very first cases of COVID-19 arrived in Connecticut in March of 2020, the pandemic has felt like a game of stop and go. And just when life seems to have returned back to normal after this past winter’s Omicron surge, here we are hearing and reading about the Omicron BA

What to Expect at Your Child’s First Heart Ultrasound (Echocardiogram) By Brooke Davey, MD: If your child has been scheduled for their first heart ultrasound—called an echocardiogram—you probably have questions. That’s completely normal! An echocardiogram is a safe, gentle test that shows pictures of your child’s heart using sound waves. There are no needles, and it

Does My Child Need a Back to School Exam? By Abraham J. Khorasani, MD: This article was originally published in August of 2022 and has been updated August 11, 2025 to reflect current times. From the early pre-K years to senior year, school is about so much more than pens, books and friendships. Your child should also have a clean bill of health

What to Do If Your Child Swallows or Ingests a Button Battery By Christopher Grindle, MD: Last updated in December 2023. Do you have button batteries in your home? The answer is almost certainly yes. These tiny batteries are used in all kinds of electronic devices, from key fobs to your child’s favorite toys. Unfortunately, they’re also the sort of small, shiny object

4 Things to Know About Heart Murmurs in Children By Seth Lapuk, MD: Up to three out of four kids will have a heart murmur at some point in childhood, but in most cases, it’s nothing to worry about. To explain more, Connecticut Children’s pediatric cardiologist (and American Heart Association leader!) Seth Lapuk, MD, joins the blog. 1. Most heart

The New Food Pyramid: What Families Need to Know By Antoinette Maraglino, MS, RD: The good news? Healthy eating for kids hasn’t changed as much as it may sound.

Through the Storm: Keilany’s Story When Tropical Storm Isaias hit Connecticut this past August, it toppled trees and knocked out power across the state. It also hit the campground where Keilany Palma and her parents, siblings and grandmother were celebrating her 12 th birthday. Keilany’s actual birthday had been

Drawing on Personal Experience to Help Others Overcome Childhood Trauma By Kayla Gonzalez, MD: By: Kayla Gonzalez, MD Childhood trauma has been an enduring personal and professional interest of mine. My parents are immigrants from Cuba and did not have support upon arrival to the United States. My father only completed an 8th grade education and suffered from an intense

How to Prepare and Support Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders This School Year By Jennifer Twachtman-Bassett, MS, CCC-SLP: Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have a tough time adjusting to change – so they’ll need additional guidance and support to succeed in school during COVID-19. Connecticut Children’s autism specialist Jennifer Twachtman-Bassett, MS, CCC-SLP shares tips. Create a visual

Connecticut Children’s to Pioneer Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Gene Therapy in Connecticut Connecticut Children’s made medical history this week as it became the first health system in the state to administer gene therapy for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). The groundbreaking procedure will be conducted by renowned pediatric neurologist, Dr. Gyula Acsadi.

Honoring Women’s History Month with Kids Women’s History Month provides an opportunity to teach children about the tremendous contributions women have made in the United States in a variety of fields, including art, science, medicine, math, education and other areas. At Connecticut Children’s, we honor Women’s History

Gardening With Kids: How to Plan, Grow & Enjoy a Garden By Stacy Chandna, MS, CIP: This article was originally published in 2021 and has been updated for accuracy. Your family may be dreaming up a spring or summertime bucket list. A garden project is a perfect addition! Stacy Chandna, Director of the Office of Research and Quality Assurance, joins the blog with