A newsletter from your Pediatrician and the
SUMMER 2013
TAKE CARE
HEALTHY TIPS
FOR
SUMMER
Summer means warm weather, a break from school, vacations and families looking for ways to have fun together.
We all look forward to this time of year after a long, wet spring. This time can also bring about specific challenges
including boredom and traveling trials. Included here are a few tips for a successful and healthy summer vacation
as well as some information about a valuable community resource.
The Children’s Health
Foundation is a non-profit
organization that partners with
your Pediatrician to develop
quality health care programs
in our community. We work
together to foster the highest
quality care for children, to
raise awareness on health
issues, and to achieve better
children’s health outcomes.
Please ask your provider for
more information.
5901 SW Macadam Ave, Suite 220
Portland, Oregon 97239
503-222-5703 503-224-3938 (fax)
www.ch-alliance.org
FACT is a family leadership organization for individuals and their families experiencing developmental
disabilities, working collaboratively to facilitate positive change in policies, systems and attitudes,
through family support, advocacy and partnerships. FACT strives to:
• Strengthen the voice of Oregon families raising children experiencing disability
• Connect families to families
• Provide and promote peer delivered family support
• Create opportunities for meaningful collaboration
FACT has four main areas of support:
Parent Training and Information (PTI)
Parents with children receiving special education services have an incredibly important role on their child’s
IEP team. FACT is available to help you be an effective member of your child’s team by providing:
• training, workshops, and in-services
• information and resources
• a helpline available by phone or email
• IEP parent mentors
Family Advocacy Network (FAN)
By strengthening the voices of thousands of Oregon families who are raising children with
disabilities, FAN creates opportunities for:
• family leadership development
• family empowerment to affect system change and policy decisions
• participation in advocacy and grassroots systems change movements
(continued on page 3)
Build a healthy plate
In an effort to make it easier for parents to figure out how to
feed their kids nutritious, balanced meals, the U.S. Department
of Agriculture (USDA) has introduced an easy-to-follow food
guide icon: MyPlate.
The colorful divided plate includes sections for vegetables, fruits,
grains, and foods high in protein. It’s an improvement upon the
complex and confusing MyPyramid that previously detailed the
USDA’s dietary guidelines.
With MyPlate, forget about measuring out serving sizes and
trying to remember whether a piece of chicken should be the
size of a fist or a golf ball. Aim to serve a variety of foods at
each meal. Use the plate as a guide when planning and serving
meals. Try some of these options:
• fill half your child’s plate with vegetables and fruits
• make at least half the grains you serve whole grains, like
oatmeal and brown rice
• serve fat-free or low-fat (1%) milk and water rather than
sugary drinks
• when buying pre-packaged foods, choose ones low in sodium
• don’t serve oversized portions
Green = Vegetables
The vegetable portion of MyPlate, identified in green, is one
of the largest portions on the plate. That’s because, just like
grandma said, it’s important to “eat your veggies!”
Vegetables provide many of the vitamins and minerals kids
need for good health, are naturally low in calories, and contain
fiber. The vegetable group is divided into five subgroups based
on their nutrients:
1. dark green vegetables (like broccoli, spinach, and kale)
2. orange and red vegetables (like squash, carrots, and
sweet potatoes)
3. beans and peas (like kidney beans, lentils, and black-eyed
peas - also included in the protein group)
4. starchy vegetables (like corn, potatoes, and plantains)
5. other vegetables (those that don’t fall into a particular
nutritional category, like artichokes and avocado)
Orange = Grains
The grain group includes any food made from wheat,
oats, cornmeal, barley, or other grain. Bread, tortillas,
cereal, rice, and pasta belong in this group.
At least half of the grains kids consume each day should
be whole grains, such as oatmeal, brown rice, and whole
wheat. Whole grains contain dietary fiber that helps
you feel full and protects against constipation. Eating a
diet rich in whole grains also might decrease the risk of
developing heart disease and diabetes.
Whole grains are different from refined grains, such as
those in white bread and white rice, which have been
processed and had many of their nutrients removed.
Most refined grains are enriched, which means that
nutrients, except fiber, are added back after processing.
Purple = Protein Foods
Foods that are high in protein help the body build,
maintain, and repair tissue. They also have nutrients that
are necessary to the body, like B vitamins and iron.
For best nutritional value, serve a variety of vegetables to your
family each week. Vegetables can be prepared and served in any
number of ways and can be purchased fresh, frozen, dried/
dehydrated, or canned.
Protein-rich foods include beef, poultry, seafood, dry
beans and peas, eggs, nuts, and seeds. Soy products like
tofu and veggie burgers are also good sources of protein.
When eating meats, choose lean or low-fat options and
try to minimize deli meats and other processed meats
that are high in sodium.
Red = Fruits
Blue = Dairy
Serve fruit a variety of ways: whole, cut up, in smoothies. When
buying canned fruit, choose fruit that is packed in juice rather than
heavy or light syrup. It’s best to choose whole fruit over 100%
fruit juice, as some of the nutrients are lost in the juicing process.
Remember to skip the whole milk for kids over 2 years
old and serve low-fat or nonfat milk and dairy products.
Fruits take up a slightly smaller portion of the plate than
vegetables, but they’re still an important part of a diet. They
contain necessary nutrients like vitamin C, potassium, and fiber.
Great choices include oranges, peaches, mangoes, strawberries,
and apples.
This group includes milk and other dairy products that
retain their calcium content, such as yogurt and cheese.
Calcium-fortified soy milk is also included in the dairy
group. Besides providing calcium, dairy products are
important sources of vitamin D and protein. Vitamin
D helps the body absorb calcium and use it for healthy
bones and teeth.
Adapted from kidshealth.com
(continued from first page)
Parent to Parent (P2P)
P2P pairs parents with trained mentors who
can provide support, encouragement, and
information, sharing from their personal
experience as a parent. They bring a breadth of
knowledge and experience to share wherever you
are in your journey.
• a new diagnosis
• disability-specific questions or concerns
• life transitions and developmental milestones
• family, school, or community-related issues
Summer is Just Around the Corner –
Does Your Child Require Extra
Safety Precautions?
All parents worry about safety. But families of children with special physical,
developmental or behavioral health needs have more to consider. When a child is
impulsive, has a sensory impairment or doesn’t understand your instructions, he
or she may be at greater risk for injury. If you worry about your child and feel you
need help to keep him or her safe, speak to your child’s doctors, nurses, teachers,
therapists or other providers. Below are some resources specifically aimed at
families of children with a variety of special needs.
•
Safekids USA has a series of videos created to help parents and caregivers
organize the home to prevent injuries. Other video topics include children
with cognitive disorders, wheel chairs, autism, and blindness. The videos
highlight how to prevent injuries to children with physical, cognitive, and
developmental disabilities. For more information:
www.safekids.org/safety-basics/special-needs
•
Dennis Debbaud’s excellent guide entitled “Are You Prepared for an Autism
Emergency?” Also available by calling Family to Family at 855-323-6744.
•
Child Passenger Safety Clinics are held all around the state. If you would like
a consultation about acquiring a special needs car seat or restraint system, call
the ACTS Oregon Help Line at 877-793-2608
•
There are Safe Kids Coalitions in all corners of Oregon that can help parents
with a variety of safety topics and products. Call 971-673-1001 to find a
group near you.
Reprinted with permission from Oregon Family to Family
FACT Family to Family Network –
By Families, For Families
This is a regional program supporting families
in and around Clackamas, Multnomah and
Washington Counties.
Peer-delivered support celebrates families as the
tremendous resource they are! The FACT family
Network provides:
• information, resources, and referral
• family-to-family networking
• training opportunities
For more information about their services please
contact FACT at:
Phone: 1-888-988-3228
Emai: [email protected]
www.factoregon.org
Errands Survival Kit
To parents of young children, shopping
and errands can be especially difficult. Here
are some steps you can take to make these
necessary chores easier on all of you:
Quick Tips:
•
•
•
Here are some links to summer and year round camps for kids of
all ages and abilities:
•
Metro Parent: http://www.metro-parent.com/ca_parents_calendar/
•
Childrens Developmental Institute: http://www.childrenspdx.org/cfcs
Children’s Program: http://www.childrensprogram.com/content/complete-list/
•
Keep errands short!
Time errands so that your child is not
hungry or tired.
Remind your child of the rules, and
word those words positively.
Have activities for your child to do on
the trip.
Praise your child for following the
rules.
Use time-outs if behavior problems
occur.
Adapted from Kidshealth.org
OREGON CITY PEDIATRIC BUILDING
Ron Clarke, MD, LLC
Jo Anne Nielsen, MD, PC
James Resk, MD, PC
Troy Stoeber MD, LLC
14279 South Glen Oak Road
Oregon City, OR 97045
Traveling with Asthma
By Resa Bradeen, MD, Pediatrician at Metropolitan Pediatrics, LLC and Medical Director of the
Children’s Health Foundation
Your child’s asthma shouldn’t stop you from planning a family
vacation or sending your child to sleepover camp or on a trip with
friends. Managing asthma just requires some planning and your child
should be ready to enjoy a fun summer experience. Following are
some tips to keep in mind as you plan your summer travel.
When packing, remember to keep your child’s rescue and controller
medications handy, not buried in the car trunk. And if you’re
flying, make sure you take them in your carry-on luggage. If you
are traveling abroad, consider taking a letter from the doctor that
describes your child’s diagnosis, medications, and equipment. This
can help you with airport security or customs. It is also smart to have
the generic names of all medicines, in case they are called something
else in another country.
If your child is sensitive to dust mites and mold, and you’re traveling
by car, before everyone loads into the car, try running the air
conditioner or heater with the windows open for at least 10 minutes.
If pollen counts or pollution levels affect your child’s asthma and
are high during your trip, travel with the windows closed and the
air conditioner on. The air on planes can be very dry, so encourage
your child to drink plenty of water while you are in the air. Inhalers
with spacers have been shown to be as effective as nebulizers in treating
asthma and might be easier to keep handy during travel.
If your child’s asthma is well controlled, you should be able to enjoy
sightseeing, hiking, or other leisure activities. Just keep the asthma
triggers in mind when planning what you’ll do. For example, avoid lots
of walking or hiking when the air pollution or pollen counts are likely to
be high or if the weather is going to be extremely cold and dry. If you
are camping, keep your child away from campfires. Be sure you plan for
plenty of rest (indoors if possible), carry your child’s rescue medication
at all times, and be prepared to change your plans if your child is
struggling with asthma symptoms.
As at home, if anyone else will be supervising your child, you should make
sure that person knows about the asthma and is familiar with your child’s
asthma action plan. Reassure your child that he or she isn’t different from
other kids because of the asthma and should be able to join in on all the fun.
Most importantly, be sure that your child still takes all of their regular
medications as prescribed and tries to avoid triggers. Ignoring asthma
during a trip could send your child to the emergency department — and
that’s no place to spend a vacation.