Dr Ayana Remy

Today, we celebrate the incredible dads who bring balance, support, and love to their children’s lives. We see you, we appreciate you and we celebrate you. Your dedication makes all the difference.

Enjoy your special day!

🎓Congratulations to all the young graduates and their families! Whether your child is moving up to kindergarten, middle school, high school, or beyond, we are incredibly proud of their hard work and achievements.

🎓As you celebrate this important milestone, remember that your child’s health is essential for their future success. Now is the perfect time to schedule a check-up to ensure they’re ready for the next adventure.

🎓 how we can help:
- **Physical Exams:** Make sure your child is in top shape for the new school year.
- **Vaccinations:** Keep your child protected with up-to-date immunizations.
- **Health Screenings:** Detect any potential issues early on.

🎓Book an appointment today and let’s keep your child healthy and thriving!

Congratulations, graduates! Here’s to a bright and healthy future.

I often get asked if there is a cure for autism. The answer is no, there is no cure for autism, and here’s why that’s not the focus we should have:

✅Autism is a developmental difference, not a disease. It involves a unique set of characteristics that can vary widely from person to person. Instead of looking for a cure, the goal is to support and enhance the quality of life for those on the spectrum. This means focusing on therapies and interventions that help individuals learn, grow, and thrive in their own unique ways.

**Supportive Interventions Include:**
- ✅Behavioral therapies
- ✅Speech and language therapy
- ✅Occupational therapy
- ✅Educational support
- ✅Social skills training

These interventions are designed to help manage challenges and leverage strengths.

✅Remember, the beauty of human experience lies in our diversity. Each person on the autism spectrum brings a unique set of strengths and challenges the aim is to support them in leading fulfilling and productive lives.❤️

Let’s Debunk some common autism myths

Myth 1: ❌Autism is caused by vaccines.
Fact:Research from the CDC, WHO, and numerous studies across the globe have conclusively shown that there is no link between vaccines and autism. Vaccinating children is crucial for preventing serious diseases and does not increase the risk of autism.

Myth 2: ❌Autistic children do not form emotional connections
Fact: While autistic children might show affection in less conventional ways, they can form strong emotional connections. Some might use actions rather than words, or may prefer less direct forms of expressing love and affection

Myth 3: ❌Autism can be cured
Fact:Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition, not a disease to be cured. With personalized therapy approaches, such as behavioral interventions and speech therapy, many individuals with autism can lead fulfilling lives. The goal is to support each individual in maximizing their potential and well-being.

Myth 4: ❌Autism is a result of poor parenting.
The notion that parenting practices cause autism is a complete misconception. Autism is largely genetic, involving various complex genetic factors. Environmental influences may play a role, but they do not include parenting styles.

Myth 5: ❌All autistic individuals have intellectual disabilities
Autism is a spectrum, meaning it manifests differently in every individual. Some individuals with autism may have intellectual disabilities, while others have average or superior intellectual abilities. Many excel in areas such as music, mathematics.

Remember that as we understand, we learn to accept. Get the facts, dispel the myths and reduce the stigma.
❤️

The Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) is a highly regarded instrument used worldwide for assessing autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Developed by experts in the field, the ADOS test is designed to observe social interaction, communication, play, and imaginative use of materials for individuals suspected of having autism. Here’s what you need to know:

🧸What is the ADOS Test?

The ADOS is a semi-structured, standardized assessment of communication, social interaction, and play or imaginative use of materials for individuals who may have autism spectrum disorders. The test is conducted in a session that typically lasts 40 to 60 minutes and is designed to create a social setting in which autism spectrum disorder-related behaviors naturally occur.

🧸Who Can Benefit from the ADOS Test?

The ADOS is applicable to individuals of all ages, from toddlers to adults, and across a wide range of developmental levels and language skills. It’s an essential tool for clinicians, educators, and researchers in the diagnosis and assessment of ASD.

🧸Key Features of the ADOS Test:

• Standardized: The ADOS provides a highly reliable, standardized way to assess ASD.
• Versatile: It includes different modules, each tailored to the individual’s language level and developmental stage.
• Focused: By observing behavior in social interactions, it helps identify the presence and severity of ASD symptoms.
• Evidence-based: The ADOS is widely accepted in the scientific community and has been validated through extensive research.

🧸
Why is the ADOS Test Important?

Understanding and diagnosing ASD as early as possible can make a significant difference in the lives of those affected and their families. The ADOS test plays a crucial role in this process by providing a clear, evidence-based assessment. It helps in tailoring intervention strategies that address the unique needs of each individual with ASD.

🧸The ADOS test is a cornerstone in the field of autism diagnosis, offering a comprehensive and reliable assessment tool.

🧸Call our office about options for testing your little one including the ADOS test .

🗣️Speech delays in children often prompt concerns from parents, especially for autism.

🗣️It’s essential to recognize that such delays can arise from various factors and not just autism. These include

🗣️Global Developmental Delay: This encompasses delays in two or more developmental domains, including speech, motor skills, and cognition. It reflects a broader developmental slowdown, not limited to speech.

🗣️Hearing Impairment: Even minor hearing loss can significantly affect a child’s ability to process and reproduce sounds, making early hearing tests crucial

🗣️Developmental Variability: Children may develop speech at different rates, focusing on different skill sets at various stages. This is often a normal part of growth.

🗣️Apraxia of Speech: A specific condition where children struggle to make accurate movements when speaking, despite knowing what they want to say

🗣️Dysarthria: Caused by muscle weakness, it affects the clarity of speech and requires distinct therapeutic approaches.

🗣️Language Disorders: Such as Specific Language Impairment (SLI), where children have difficulties in understanding and using language appropriately.

🗣️🗣️
Understanding the specific cause of speech delay is vital for effective intervention. If you’re concerned about your child’s speech or overall development, it’s important to consult with a specialist. Speech-language pathologists and pediatricians can guide appropriate evaluations and intervention ❤️

❓What exactly is autism?Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition that affects a person’s social skills, communication, and behavior. It’s called a spectrum disorder because it manifests differently in each individual, ranging from mild to severe symptoms.

❓Key characteristics of autism include challenges in social interaction and communication, repetitive behaviors, and unique strengths and differences in thinking and learning.

❓Early signs of autism may include:

🚩Delayed Speech: Some children with autism may not start speaking at the typical age or may have difficulties with language development.

🚩Difficulty with Social Interaction: Children with autism may struggle with making eye contact, understanding social cues, or forming friendships.

🚩Repetitive Behaviors: This can include repetitive movements like hand-flapping or rocking, as well as insistence on sameness or routines.

❓It’s important to remember that every child is unique, and early intervention can make a significant difference in their development.

❓If you have concerns about your child’s development, don’t hesitate to reach out to our clinic for guidance and support. Dr Remy is trained and certified to perform the diagnostic tests available and can guide you through therapeutic avenues for intervention.❤️

AutismAwareness 🧩

**5 Easy-to-Follow Tips for Managing Stomach Virus at Home**

🤢1. **Hydration: Start Low, Go Slow:** Begin with small sips of Pedialyte and slowly increase as more volume is tolerated . Freeze it into ice cubes or make popsicles in ice trays.

🤢2. **Keep It Clean:** Thorough hand-washing and disinfecting surfaces are crucial. Use bleach and let it sit for 5 mins before wiping down with water again. The Noravirus in particular can survive on most surfaces for days so pay attention to how you disinfect surfaces.

🤢3. **Bland Diet Basics:** Gradually introduce bland foods like toast, rice, bananas, potatoes and pasta as your child feels ready to eat. Avoid spicy and greasy foods. You may also consider limiting dairy if your child has bad diarrhea. Breastmilk for infants however can be continued. Talk to your pediatrician first.

🤢4. **Protect the Skin:** Diarrhea can cause irritation. Apply Vaseline or A&D ointment to protect sensitive areas. If the skin is really red use a zinc oxide based diaper cream.

🤢5. **Medication with Caution:** Consult your pediatrician before using any medications, including Zofran or Gravol. Try to avoid anti-diarrheal medication in kids.

🚩🚩🚩Pay attention to the red flags discussed in the previous post. Remember that your pediatrician is there to help. 🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩

🚩 Red Flags: 5 Warning Signs of Stomach Virus 🚩

📢 Our ER and pediatric offices are flooded with cases of the stomach virus. But when is it more than just a bug that can be treated at home? Here are crucial signs every parent should watch for:

1. **Persistent Vomiting or Diarrhea:** especially if lasting over 48 hours

2. **High Fever:** Above 101°F (38.3°C) accompanied by stomach pain.

3. **Severe Dehydration Symptoms:** Sunken eyes, no tears, reduced urination, extreme thirst and lethargy

4. **Blood in Vomit or Stool:** Immediate medical attention required.

5. **Severe Abdominal Pain:** Beyond typical discomfort, seek prompt medical advice.

Stay vigilant and know when to seek help. Call your peds if you have any concerns 🩺🛑

Our phone lines are down. Please call 4335419.

Happy Valentine’s Day from all of us at Kiddiatrix❤️❤️

💖 Today, as we celebrate love in all its forms, let’s remember to show some extra love to our hearts, too.

❤️Ensuring our children understand the importance of heart health from a young age can set the foundation for a lifetime of well-being.

❤️Encourage them to stay active, eat heart-healthy snacks, and express their feelings openly.

❤️Let’s make this Valentine’s Day not just about sharing love with others but also about loving ourselves and taking care of our health.

❤️Here’s to a day filled with joy, love, and healthy hearts for our little ones! 🌹

We are so excited about our next podcast guest Dr Annalease Richards.

Always with a keen interest in mental health and well being, after completion of medical school, Dr Richards pursued specialty training, completing first a General Psychiatry residency at SUNY Downstate in Brooklyn followed by a Child & Adolescent Psychiatry fellowship at St Luke’s Roosevelt Center NY, NY.

Prior to her return to the Bahamas, Dr Richards worked as an inpatient and outpatient attending Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist at one of the leading child and adolescent psychiatric hospitals in the USA where she also served as a clinical assistant professor for the affiliated psychiatry program at the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown university.

Dr Richards is an Associate Lecturer with the University of the West Indies Department of Psychiatry Bahamas and is a diplomat of the American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology, double board certified in General Psychiatry and Child & Adolescent Psychiatry

At present, Dr Richards holds the post of medical director of the Sandilands Rehabilitation Center Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Program and is the in-house pediatric psychiatrist at the Family Medicine Center, Blake Road.

Stay close to our social Media platforms for more information on our next podcast episode with Dr Richards loading soon. 🎙️🎙️

Subscribe now to The Kiddiatrix Podcast available on all platforms. ❤️

🌟 Join Our Team! 🌟 We’re hiring a Medical Assistant with a passion for working with kids! 🩺👶 If you have experience, flexible hours, and a team-player attitude, we want to hear from you. Be a part of a dynamic healthcare environment where your skills make a difference. Apply now and help us provide top-notch care! 🏥✨

🤧Mucus is a slimy, sticky fluid produced by the body’s mucous membranes. Its main job? To trap and eliminate invaders like viruses and bacteria dust and debris keeping our little ones healthy. It is made up of white blood cells, enzymes, salts, proteins and “epithelial cells”

🤧The green or yellow color change in mucus is often due to the immune system’s battle with a viral or bacterial infection. The green colour is actually produced when white blood cells produce an enzyme called myeloperoxidase. Green or yellow mucus can therefore be produced both by bacterial AND viral infections.

⚠️ **Red Flags to Look For**: Keep a watchful eye! If your child is less than 3 months, experiences shortness of breath, prolonged fever, or if the mucus is worsening and not improving within 2 weeks, it’s important to consult with your doctor. Black mucus may suggest a fungal infection that would also require treatment.

😷When Antibiotics Are Necessary**: Remember, not all colored mucus warrants antibiotics. Pediatricians usually prescribe them when a bacterial infection is suspected. Antibiotics treat bacteria and if used for viral infections they will not make a difference and increase the risk of side effects and antibiotic resistance.

🤧Don’t ever hesitate to call your doctor if you have any concerns or questions.

Just a reminder ❤️

Reckitt/Mead Johnson Nutrition Voluntarily Recalls Select Batches of Nutramigen Hypoallergenic Infant Formula Powder Because of Possible Health Risk Reckitt/MJN voluntarily recalls select batches of Nutramigen. All product tested was confirmed negative for contaminants.

Rekitt/ Mead Johnson Nutrition has voluntarily recalled some Nutramigen Hypoallergenic infant formula products due to possible Cronobacter sakazakii contamination. There have been NO REPORTED illnesses associated with this recall to date. This is out of an abundance of caution. Follow the instructions on the Enfamil websites for more information. It is unlikely that any of the affected batches were sent to distribution centres in the Caribbean and Central America, but if you purchased the formula in the US please take note.

“🎉 Happy New Year from Kiddiatrix 🎉 Wishing all our amazing families a year filled with joy and good health. Exciting times ahead as we embark on innovative plans for growth and expansion to better serve your little ones. Stay tuned for more smiles, giggles, and excellent care in 2024! Cheers to a fantastic year together! 🌟 ”

Our Office will be closed today from 1:30 to 5 pm. We can still be reached on the office cell phone at 4335419 for any office questions. ❤️

Kiddiatrix Alert: Here are the Top 5 Christmas Viruses that we have been seeing this year 🦠

1. **RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus):*🦠
- Primarily affects bronchioles, causing bronchiolitis.
- High-risk for infants due to smaller airways; monitor for rapid breathing.

2. **Flu (Influenza):**🦠
- Presents with fever, chills, and muscle aches.
- Immunize against influenza; complications like pneumonia are prevalent, especially in young children.

3 Parainfluenza):**🦠usually causing croup
- Involves inflammation of the larynx and trachea.
- Recognize the distinctive “seal-like” cough

4. **Norovirus:**🦠
- Highly contagious, causing gastroenteritis.
- Transmission via contaminated food, surfaces, or close contact. Keep your kiddies well hydrated.

5. **Common Cold:**🦠
- Caused by various viruses, over 200 known strains.
- Manage symptoms; be vigilant for potential complications such as ear infections.

For personalized guidance and care, don’t hesitate to contact us.🦠

🎄 Holiday Hours Announcement 🎄

Dear valued families,

As we embrace the festive season, we want to ensure your peace of mind regarding your child’s health. Please reach out to our office at 3276100 or contact our cell at 4335419 for further details on physician coverage over the holidays.
❤️❤️❤️

🌟 Exciting news, parents! We’re thrilled to introduce Dr. Rahming-O’Neil, our vibrant new Pediatrician. A graduate of St. Augustine’s College in 2006, she’s been dedicated to pediatric care since earning her Medical Degree from the University of The West Indies in 2015.

❤️ Dr. Rahming-O’Neil completed her residency in Child and Adolescent Health at the University of the West Indies, Mona, and Bahamas Campus, bringing almost a decade of expertise. As a Registrar at Princess Margaret Hospital, she cherishes the resilience of her little patients.

❤️Off-duty, she’s a mom to an adorable two-year-old, keeping her on her toes and bringing that extra touch of warmth to her practice.

❤️Ready to experience compassionate care for your child? Schedule an appointment with Dr. Rahming-O’Neil today by calling Kiddiatrix at 327-6100 or book online at Kiddiatrix.org. Let’s embark on this journey together as we deliver childcare from the heart. 🚀💕

Great tips.❤️

It's Here!

The Holiday Gift Guide is now available.

This guide was created for parents, educators, godparents, anyone who wants to purchase gifts for a little gem to aid in their growth and development.

You can access it via our website:

https://otconsults.org/holiday-gift-guide-2023/

🎙️Our latest podcast episode will be live soon and we've got an incredible guest joining us Shenika McIntosh-Cooper a seasoned Pediatric Occupational Therapist!

Join us as we dive deep into the world of pediatric exploring the vast landscape of this essential field.

🎙️Wondering about the secrets behind fostering excellent handwriting skills in kids? Curious about the role of occupational therapy in supporting children with autism? We've got the answers for you!

🎙️Get ready for a knowledge-packed episode that sheds light on the fascinating realm of pediatric occupational therapy Shenika brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the table, offering valuable insights into the challenges and triumphs of her work.

Don't miss this enlightening conversation! Tune in to understand pediatric occupational therapy and its impact on children's lives. 🎙️

👉 click on the link in bio or listen on our website kiddiatrix.org

Try this ❤️