Offspring Health

✨ Meet the amazing Ms Kate Cowlishaw ✨

Kate graduated with honours from the University of Melbourne School of Physiotherapy in 1997. She is a highly experienced physiotherapist in the area of individualised exercise programs, addressing specific needs.
At Offspring Child Health Specialists, Kate assesses children aged 4 to 12, looking at strength, coordination, balance, and motor planning. She believes that all children can participate in and enjoy exercise and sports, some just need a bit of extra help!

Based on her assessment findings along with goal setting discussions with both child and parents, Kate creates an exercise program to address any areas of need. Where appropriate, Kate can write reports to assist with applications for NDIS funding.

She offers both ‘in clinic’ guided exercise sessions, as well as teaching some home exercises to be practiced in between sessions. Kate also offers outdoor sessions at agreed times and locations to work on skills such as running, bike riding, or other sport specific skills needing a larger space. Sessions are always fun, with a strong focus on building your child’s physical self-confidence.
Kate loves children, and has two of her own, aged 15 and 12.

                                                 

WHAT CAUSES BABY EAR INFECTIONS?
All ear infections – at any age - are caused by viruses or bacteria that get into the eustachian tube, which links the middle ear to the back of the throat. This often happens when you have a cold, as germs that are already present in the throat go straight into the eustachian tube. Babies are particularly prone to ear infections, as their eustachian tubes are shorter than in adults.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF A BABY INFECTION
Although your baby can’t tell you they have an ear infection, there are still lots of behavioural signs that you can pick up on. Look out for your little one becoming upset and more irritable than usual, as this could be a sign of a baby ear infection. You may also find that your baby is restless at night, starts pulling at and itching their ear, and is not feeding well. Having a cough, cold and high temperature can also be present with a baby ear infection.

There is also sometimes a visible sign of a baby ear infection, which is a discharge running from the ear.

HOW SHOULD I TREAT A BABY EAR INFECTION?
You can give your baby paracetamol or ibuprofen treatments for children if they are in pain or have a temperature. Discuss what is best for your baby with your pharmacist. Always check the dose you should give your baby, which depends on their age, and how many doses are safe to give over 24 hours. Never exceed the recommended dose.

WHEN SHOULD I SEE A GP ABOUT A BABY EAR INFECTION?
Most baby ear infections will clear up on their own after about three days. But you should take your baby to the doctor if it hasn’t cleared up within three days, or if you notice any of the following symptoms:
* Fluid coming out of the ear
* Swelling around the ear
* Other symptoms, like vomiting or a very high temperature

                                         

Nothing is better than a family and friends❤❤ 😇😇..

The brain and nervous system are the hub of everything the human body does, from breathing and keeping the heart beating to picking up a pencil and driving a car. When the nervous system isn’t working right, it can affect the entire body.

Neurologists are doctors who specialise in treating conditions that affect the brain and nervous system. This can include the brain, nerves, and spine. Problems in these areas can cause conditions like headaches, seizures, multiple sclerosis, or developmental delays. Pediatric neurologists specialise in treating these conditions in children.

✨ There's nothing in this world that is more valuable than having a strong bond with a loving family and friends. That kind of connection is worth more than any amount of money or material possessions.

✨ It's the most important thing you can have, because it's the only thing that truly lasts. At the end of the day, when everything else is gone, you'll still have your relationships to fall back on. They'll be the ones who help you through tough times and celebrate your successes with you.

✨ So cherish those bonds, because they are truly priceless.

👇 Here are 10 of the Best Benefits of Occupational Therapy👇

⭐️ Improves gross motor skill
⭐️ Improves fine motor skills
⭐️ Increases independence in activities of daily living
⭐️ Addresses sensory processing difficulties
⭐️ Increases overall strength and stability
⭐️ Enhances social and play skills
⭐️ Improves executive functioning skills
⭐️ Provides caregiver and teacher education
⭐️ Improves visual perceptual/visual motor skills
⭐️ Helps with the use of assistive technology

Get in contact to find out more!

❤️ Even in our darkest moments there is light where you least expect it🤍 You are loved and you are not alone!! ❤️

Many children have trouble reading, writing, or performing other learning-related tasks at some point. This does not mean they have learning disabilities. A child with a learning disability often has several related signs, and they don’t go away or get better over time. The signs of learning disabilities vary from person to person.

Please note that the generally common signs included here are for informational purposes only; the information is not intended to screen for learning disabilities in general or for a specific type of learning disability.

Common signs that a person may have learning disabilities include the following:

👉 Problems reading and/or writing
👉 Problems with math
👉 Poor memory
👉 Problems paying attention
👉 Trouble following directions
👉 Clumsiness
👉 Trouble telling time
👉 Problems staying organised

If you wish to find out some recommendations if you believe your child maybe experiencing learning difficulties, please get in contact today.

Health is Wealth, Take Care of Your Beautiful Self!

👇❤️Tap the like button if you agree! ❤️👇

👩‍⚕️👨‍⚕️Children aren’t like adult patients. They can’t always describe what’s going on, so it can be challenging for doctors to communicate with them about medical issues. Depending on their age, they might not even realise what’s happening.👨‍⚕️👩‍⚕️

Pediatric surgeons know how to make children feel comfortable and communicate with them. Pediatric surgeons are also involved in diagnosing conditions and in caring for children before and after surgery. They may specialize in one of four main types of care:

❤️ Prenatal. Pediatric surgeons work with radiologists to spot problems while a child is in the womb and plan corrective surgeries after birth. Prenatal surgery, or an operation on a fetus, is a newer practice that is available at some of the larger medical centers.

❤️ Neonatal. Neonatal surgery involves the repair of congenital disabilities, or birth defects, in newborns.

❤️ Trauma. Trauma surgeries happen when a child has a moderate to severe injury such as a fracture, cut, burn, or internal injury. This is one of the main reasons why children get intensive medical care.

❤️ Pediatric oncology. Pediatric oncologists treat children who have cancer or benign (noncancerous) growths.

If you wish to find out more get in contact today!

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Drop a ❤️ for valuing what matters most…

When you have a food intolerance, it means your digestive system has a hard time digesting (breaking down) a food. Another word for food intolerance is food sensitivity.

Food intolerance means your gut is sensitive to certain foods and can’t tolerate them. When you eat these foods, you may experience uncomfortable symptoms like gas, diarrhea and abdominal pain.

A food intolerance:
Affects your digestive system.
Occurs when your digestive system can’t break down certain foods.
Causes symptoms like an upset stomach that aren’t life-threatening.
Brings on symptoms within a few hours after eating as the food makes its way through the digestive tract.
May not cause symptoms if you eat just a small amount of a food.

Symptoms of a food intolerance include:
👎 Abdominal (belly) pain.
👎 Diarrhea.
👎 Gas and bloating.
👎 Headaches or migraines.
👎 Heartburn.
👎 Nausea.
👎 Upset stomach.

If you wish to find out more or believe yourself or your child may have a food intolerance then get in contact today!

intolerance

❤️ We hope you all had an amazing day and remember your awesome and you have got this! ❤️

Cognition is the mental process of acquiring knowledge and understanding through thought, experience and our senses. Your child is continually learning and experiencing the world, in order to develop their cognition. Sometimes a school teacher, guidance officer, or a parent may notice some strengths and weaknesses in your child’s cognition, or may comment on a particular learning style they have. In order for your child to continue to develop and learn, a cognitive assessment is helpful to identify the areas of strengths and weaknesses that they may be experiencing. When interpreted along with comprehensive background information, parent and teacher reports, the results of cognitive assessments can provide information about your child which can assist to develop individualised learning plans for children.

PROCESS OF COGNITIVE TESTING

⭐️Initial appointment with parent and child – background information is gathered from the parents, including developmental history, academic ability, medical issues, family relationships, and issues raised by the parents in order to gather a holistic picture of your child’s environment.

⭐️ Testing over one or two session – depending on your child’s ability and willingness to test, the testing will be done over one or two sessions

⭐️ Scoring and interpreting results – each assessment will be scored and interpreted against standardised results

⭐️ Report writing – the behavioural observations of your child during testing will be recorded, along with the results of the testing, and recommendations

⭐️ Feedback session – the psychologist will discuss the outcomes of the testing in this session and provide recommendation for parents and schools as required.

For further information please get in contact with the team today!

💕 some accommodations for autistic people:
🎧 headphones
🌈 stim tools
🗣 subtitles
🌟 sensory spaces
📆 visual schedules
💡 dimmed lights
🐶 therapy animals
♻️ routine
🚫 quiet areas

Autism is a spectrum, which means it affects everyone differently. Each child has their own strengths and areas of development. There are various parenting strategies you can try, depending on your child’s support needs.

Here are 7 tips for parenting a child with Autism

1. Build rapport.
2. Increase social awareness.
3. Examine communication.
4. Teach calming strategies.
5. Foster flexibility.
6. Increase autism awareness.
7. Network with other parents.

If you need more advice or wish to speak to a consultant please get in contact.

So very true ❤️❤️

If you're the parent of a child who stutters, the doctor or speech-language pathologist may:

❓ Ask questions about your child's health history, including when he or she began stuttering and when stuttering is most frequent

❓ Ask questions about how stuttering affects your child's life, such as relationships with others and school performance

❓ Talk to your child, and may ask him or her to read aloud to watch for subtle differences in speech

❓ Differentiate between the repetition of syllables and mispronunciation of words that are normal in young children, and stuttering that's likely to be a long-term condition

❓ Rule out an underlying condition that can cause irregular speech, such as Tourette's syndrome

A few examples of treatment approaches — in no particular order of effectiveness — include:

⭐️ Speech therapy. Speech therapy can teach you to slow down your speech and learn to notice when you stutter.

⭐️ Electronic devices. Several electronic devices are available to enhance fluency. Delayed auditory feedback requires you to slow your speech or the speech will sound distorted through the machine.

⭐️ Cognitive behavioral therapy. This type of psychotherapy can help you learn to identify and change ways of thinking that might make stuttering worse.

⭐️ Parent-child interaction. Parental involvement in practicing techniques at home is a key part of helping a child cope with stuttering, especially with some methods.

❤️👨‍👩‍👧‍👦❤️

What causes panic attacks in children?

🚨 Hereditary/genetic factors – research shows that having a close relative (such as a parent or sibling) who suffers from panic attacks, makes it more likely that a child will also experience panic attacks
🚨 Phobias - children may experience panic attacks as a result of being exposed to something they fear
🚨 An existing mental health condition such as anxiety, depression, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
🚨 Short-term emotional triggers such as suffering a bereavement
🚨 Low self-esteem
🚨 Certain substances can also trigger panic attack symptoms in children, including caffeine

⁉️ Signs and Symptoms Associated with Anxiety Attacks⁉️

😢 Feeling of imminent danger or doom
😢 The need to escape
😢 Rapid heartbeat
😢 Sweating
😢 Trembling
😢 Shortness of breath or a smothering feeling
😢 Feeling of choking
😢 Chest pain or discomfort
😢 Nausea or abdominal discomfort
😢 Dizziness or lightheadedness
😢 Fear of losing control or “going crazy”
😢 Fear of dying
😢 Tingling sensations
😢 Chills or hot flushes

🤗Tips and Tricks to Help Your Child During an Anxiety or Panic Attack 🤗

❤️ Avoid minimising their distress
❤️ Remind your child that panic attacks always end.
❤️ Help distract them
❤️ Help them avoid the panic attack trap:

🧘‍♀️Sometime’s all it takes is a few deep breath’s! 🧘‍♂️ If you struggle with anxiety and are starting to feel overwhelmed take a moment and take a few deep breath’s.

Is your child refusing to feed? Then this ones for you!

Causes of babies refusing to feed.

😢Pain or discomfort. Teething, thrush or a cold sore can cause mouth pain during breastfeeding. An ear infection can cause pain during sucking or lying on one side. And an injury or soreness from a vaccination might cause discomfort in a certain breastfeeding position.
😢 Illness. A cold or stuffy nose can make it difficult for your baby to breathe during breastfeeding.
😢 Stress or distraction. Overstimulation, delayed feedings or a long separation from you might cause fussiness and difficulty nursing. A strong reaction from you to being bitten during breastfeeding might have the same effect. Sometimes a baby is simply too distracted to breastfeed.
😢 Unusual scents or tastes. Changes in your smell due to a new soap, perfume, lotion or deodorant might cause your baby to lose interest in breastfeeding.
😢 Reduced milk supply. Supplementing with formula or using a pacifier too much might reduce your milk supply.

How to overcome a baby that’s refusing to feed

❤️ Keep trying. If your baby is frustrated, stop and try again later. You might try feeding your baby when he or she is very sleepy.
❤️ Change positions. Try different breastfeeding positions. If your baby is congested, it might help to suction his or her nose before feedings.
❤️ Deal with distractions. Try feeding your baby in a quiet room with no distractions.
❤️ Cuddle your baby. Skin-to-skin contact between you and your baby might renew your baby's interest in breastfeeding. See if your baby will latch on while taking a warm bath together.
❤️Address biting issues. If your baby bites you during breastfeeding, stay calm and slip your finger into your baby's mouth to quickly break the suction.

❤️😝If you know, you know and if you don’t know get to know❤️😝

Milk protein allergy. An actual allergic reaction to milk protein is much less common. During an allergic reaction, an infant’s immune system sees milk proteins (casein and whey) as a foreign material. It creates antibodies against the offending proteins, triggering the release of chemicals such as histamine.

Symptoms may include:
⭐️ Diarrhea
⭐️ Stomach inflammation and cramping
⭐️ Vomiting or excessive spit ups
⭐️ Blood in the stool
⭐️ In severe cases, anaphylaxis, an emergency requiring immediate medical attention and a shot of epinephrine

If you think your baby may have a milk protein allergy, it’s important to seek treatment as soon as possible to avoid severe illness later on.

A small number of children may have long-term milk protein issues. But most outgrow the condition by the time they reach 18 months to 2 years old.

❤️No matter how big or small the problem may seem, there will always be someone who can help! ❤️

Get in contact today, if you believe someone you know could do with a helping hand.

Curious when you may need to take your child to see an allergy specialist? Well this post if for you! ⁉️

Your child might need to see an allergy specialist if it looks like your child has allergies. This includes food allergies, eczema, asthma, moderate to severe hay fever, allergic eye diseases, hives, anaphylaxis and non-food allergies to things like medications, insects or latex.

Allergy specialists also care for patients with immune system problems that cause frequent and severe infections.

Allergy specialists might do tests like skin-prick tests, blood tests or oral food challenges to help diagnose allergies.

If you have any questions, do not hesitate to get in contact with one of our trained professionals.

❤️Never underestimate the power of reaching out to someone. ❤️

Shivani is a General Paediatrician with a special interest in paediatric gastroenterology. Shivani has had an extensive training in general paediatrics and paediatric gastroenterology having worked at Royal Children’s Hospital, Monash Children’s Hospital, Melton Health and Albury Wodonga Health. She has also worked at the Alfred hospital for 2 years for procedural training in gastroenterology.

She has strong interest in research and education. She completed a PhD on “Variation of Microbiome in Crohn’s Disease” via the Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne.

Besides paediatric gastroenterology, Shivani is also interested in developmental and behavioural paediatrics. Being a mother to two young children, Shivani understands very well the challenges that come with raising children. She always endeavours to provide the best care to her patients and will walk the extra mile to ensure their safety and wellbeing.

Shivani is well conversant in Hindi, Punjabi and Urdu besides English.

Today, do something nice unexpected for someone and watch how it brightens up your day.

If your child has one or more of these behaviors, that might be a sign that they could benefit from occupational therapy.

1. “Clumsiness” or “awkwardness.” Many of our kids with sensory processing issues appear to be kind of clumsy or awkward. They just don’t seem to have the coordination that a lot of their peers have.

2. Touching. Many of these kids either like to touch everything around them, or they avoid touching anything. We’re not talking about slight tendencies. Remember the good old-fashioned bell-shaped curve? Many of these kids are in the 5%-10% at the end of the curve.

3. Transitions. One of the biggest concerns we hear about is transitions. Transitions are things like, “first we’re going to go here, now we’re going to go to there; we’re going to go from this classroom to that place; now we’re going to go from this activity to that activity. …” Many of our kids really struggle with transitions.

4. Motion. Often times parents will describe their children as being constantly in motion. In other words, they never stop until their head hits the pillow and they pass out!

5. Food. And one more—if your child has issues with feeding and food textures, that’s another very strong indicator that they could benefit from occupational therapy!