Podcasts | Answers

Many people have heard of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), but not everyone really understands it. The saying goes “If you’ve met one person with autism, then you’ve met one person with autism,” meaning that it presents itself in many different ways. In this episode, host Dr. Jennifer Arnold discusses the nuances of ASD with Dr. Sarah Spence, a pediatric neurologist and co-director of Boston Children's Autism Spectrum Center.

Together, they answer questions such as:

• What is autism spectrum disorder ? 
• What causes ASD?
• Is there any scientific evidence linking pediatric vaccines to ASD?
• What challenges do children or young adults with ASD often face?
• Is autism becoming more common?
• Is ASD more prevalent in a particular gender?
• How is ASD diagnosed?
• At what age is autism typically diagnosed?
• What are the treatment options available for people with ASD?
• How can we foster a more inclusive environment for kids and adults with ASD? 
• What are some common strengths observed in people with ASD?

While people with ASD may have some unique challenges compared with someone neurotypical, they may also have some unique strengths. Getting a diagnosis is the first step to receiving the support and accommodation they need to thrive.

Dental visits can be daunting for children, often causing fear and apprehension, which adults can also relate to. However, there are effective strategies available to parents and dentists to ease these anxieties and prepare children for their time in the dental chair.

In this episode, host Dr. Jennifer Arnold discusses how to alleviate dental anxiety with Dr. Elaine Smyth, a pediatric dentist at Boston Children's Department of Dentistry.

Together, they answer questions such as:

• Why is it important to visit the dentist regularly?
• At what age should kids start visiting the dentist?
• How often should kids visit the dentist?
• What are the risks of avoiding dental care?
• What factors should parents consider when choosing a dentist for their child?
• What are some common reasons kids fear visiting the dentist
• How do dentists manage children's anxiety during dental visits
• Are there specific populations for whom dental visits are more challenging?
• How do dentists address anxiety in these populations?
• Is sedation an option for children with significant dental anxiety?
• Until what age should parents help their child brush their teeth?

Oral health is important for overall health, so children should start early. If your child feels anxious about dental visits, discuss it with them openly. Then, consult their dentist to address and ease any worries they may have.

In a world filled with what people commonly call "kid food" — typically meaning highly processed and low nutrient options like boxed mac 'n cheese or chicken nuggets — it is important to help your kids establish healthy eating habits.

In this episode, host Dr. Jennifer Arnold discusses the importance of a balanced, nutritious diet with licensed clinical nutrition specialist Carolina Ruiz-Valenzuela.

Together, they answer questions such as:

• What is healthy eating?
• Why do people often avoid choosing a healthy diet?
• What are the health risks of an unbalanced diet?
• What is the glycemic index, and how can your family eat based on the glycemic index?
• What should we look for when choosing which carbohydrates, fats, and proteins to eat?
• What are the best ways to hydrate?
• How can parents tell if their child’s diet is off?

Remember, you are what you eat. Help your kids embrace a balanced diet, eat the correct portion size, and understand their hunger cues. When we instill this early on, we empower our kids to become lifelong healthy eaters.

Genes provide information/instructions that influence everything about you and your child, from the color of your eyes to the intricate functioning of your body. When a gene is missing or doesn’t work correctly, it can lead to various health issues. Enter gene therapy — a revolutionary technique that uses a person’s genes to treat or even cure diseases.

In this episode, Dr. Jennifer Arnold talks with Dr. Christine Duncan, medical director of clinical research and clinical development, at Boston Children’s Gene Therapy Program. Together, they delve into the transformative impact of gene therapy on pediatric health care, especially in addressing rare diseases.

Explore key questions with them, such as:

• What are genetic mutations?
• How does gene therapy work?
• What makes gene therapy unique as a form of treatment?
• Which pediatric diseases have FDA-approved gene therapies today?
• How does one learn if a gene therapy clinical trial exists for a specific condition?
• Is gene therapy considered a safe approach?
• What does the future of gene therapy look like?

Get ready for a fascinating journey into the world of gene therapy and its profound impact on the future of health care — especially for kids.

Did you know there is a dedicated team within some hospitals whose sole mission is to make the experience the best it can be for your family?

Join host Dr. Jennifer Arnold in a conversation with Caitlin McGowan, a member of Boston Children’s Child Life Services Department.

In this episode, they delve into the invaluable support provided by child life specialists, addressing key questions such as:

• How do child life specialists identify ways to make the hospital experience easier for patient families?
• What innovative tools and therapies do child life specialists use?
• What techniques do child life specialists use to alleviate stress for young patients?
• How do child life specialists help educate families?
• How do child life specialists tailor their methods based on the age of the child?
• How do child life specialists help parents and health care providers have challenging conversations?

The Child Life Services team is a versatile group that uses play, music, creative arts, and technology to help patients and families adjust to and understand health care. Tune in and discover how they're dedicated to making your entire family's health care journey more manageable.

Kids with ADHD need to learn to self-regulate and direct their attention appropriately. Getting them the support they need — and having a little extra patience — will help them succeed.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) affects the ability to pay attention and regulate impulse control. If your child has ADHD, they’re not alone: It’s the most common neurodevelopmental condition in childhood, affecting up to 7 percent of school-aged kids.

In this episode, host Dr. Jennifer Arnold talks with Dr. Anne Arnett, a scientist in Boston Children’s Division of Developmental Medicine. Together, they answer questions about ADHD, including:

• What are the signs and symptoms of ADHD?
• What causes ADHD?
• When is ADHD usually diagnosed?
• What are the different subtypes of ADHD?
• What kinds of treatment are available for kids with ADHD?
• What are the potential risks or consequences if ADHD is untreated?
• How can we support kids with ADHD at home and in school?

Kids with ADHD need to learn to self-regulate and direct their attention appropriately. Getting them the support they need — and having a little extra patience — will help them succeed.

There’s no doubt that physical activity is important for kids and adults alike. But could the exercise your child gets now set them up for good heart health later on?

In this episode, host Dr. Jennifer Arnold discusses the importance of exercise — especially for a healthy heart — with cardiologist Dr. Naomi Gauthier, director of Boston Children’s Cardiac Fitness Program.

Together, they discuss fitness and exercise, and answer questions such as:

• What are the short- and long-term benefits of exercise?
• How important is exercise for good health at any age?
• How much exercise should kids and teens aim to get each day or week?
• What are the risks if you don't get enough exercise?
• Can medically complex kids or those with chronic conditions exercise?
• What is Boston Children's Cardiac Fitness Program?

The first step to getting enough exercise is to know how much you're already doing. Having that awareness and increasing activity over time will help your child experience the benefits of exercise today and for a lifetime.

As its name suggests, simulation training is a form of training that mirrors real-life situations. For example, it is the standard for training pilots, and as a result, the aerospace industry has become one of the safest industries, despite the inherent risks.

Like aviation training, health care simulation provides a realistic setting that allows clinicians to train without putting patients at risk. It enhances quality and safety, improves communication and performance, and minimizes errors and patient harm. Simulation can also help patients and families prepare for certain medical procedures and manage care at home afterward.

In this episode, host Dr. Jennifer Arnold discusses health care simulation with Dr. Peter Weinstock, executive program director at Boston Children’s Immersive Design Systems (IDS).

Together, they discuss health care simulation and answer questions such as:

• What is health care simulation?
• What are the different kinds of simulations used in health care?
• What are some of the tools and technology used in health care simulation?
• How do patient families benefit from health care simulation?
• How does simulation help improve communication?
• How does health care simulation prepare people for times of crisis?
• What is psychological safety and how can simulation improve it?
• How can hospitals leverage simulation to decrease medical error rates?

Health care simulation allows people to be more prepared and can also identify complications they would not have known about until they were in the moment. Listen to this episode to learn more about it.

You may not realize it, but you could know someone with cleft lip or cleft palate — conditions that occur when a baby’s lip or mouth do not form properly during pregnancy. That’s because while these diagnoses can be an unwelcome surprise for families, they are very treatable.

In this episode, our host Dr. Jennifer Arnold discusses cleft lip and cleft palate with Dr. Carolyn Rogers-Vizena, a pediatric plastic surgeon in Boston Children's Cleft and Craniofacial Center and the Department of Plastic and Oral Surgery.

Together, they share information and recommendations for families, answering questions like:

• What are cleft lip and cleft palate, and what is the difference between them?
• How and when are cleft lip and cleft palate diagnosed?
• What causes cleft lip and cleft palate?
• What are some misconceptions related to cleft lip and palate?
• What are the treatment plans for cleft lip and cleft palate?
• Who is part of the care team for cleft lip and cleft palate?
• How is simulation involved in surgical training for cleft lip and palate?
• What are some possible complications if a child is not treated?
• What research is currently being conducted in this area?

It may sound like a daunting diagnosis, but both cleft lip and cleft palate can be repaired and cared for over time.

We all have times in life when we feel anxious. For your child it could be worrying about a test, fitting in socially, or a life event like moving. When the anxiety is uncontrollable or starts to impact their daily life, it could be a sign of a bigger problem. In fact, anxiety is one of the most diagnosed mental health concerns in children.

In this episode, host Dr. Jennifer Arnold discusses anxiety with Dr. Erica Lee, an attending psychologist at Boston Children's Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences.

Together, they share advice for families and answer questions such as:

• What causes anxiety?
• What anxiety disorders are most common in childhood?
• Are some people more prone to anxiety than others?
• How does a parent identify if their child is experiencing anxiety?
• How is anxiety treated in kids and teens?
• How do you decide if your child needs treatment?
• What are the risks if anxiety is left untreated?
• What should parents consider when choosing a therapist for their child?

It’s equally important to care for your child’s mental and physical health. And there are tools to help your child if they are experiencing anxiety, so don’t be afraid to ask for help.

Young athletes — and their families — want to succeed at their sport. Many believe that if they put all their focus into one area, they’ll be more likely to achieve their athletic dreams, but that isn’t always the case.

In this episode, host Dr. Jennifer Arnold talks about sports specialization with Dr. Michael Beasley, a physician in Boston Children's Sports Medicine Division and a team physician at Northeastern University and UMass Boston.

Together, they share practical advice for families and answer questions such as: 

• What are some of the overall benefits of sports?
• What is sports specialization, and why has it become so popular with young athletes?
• How does puberty impact sports specialization?
• Are there physical and mental risks to sports specialization?
• What are some of the long-term risks of sports specialization?
• What research is underway to help prevent sports injuries?
• How can athletes prevent concussions, and how has concussion management changed?

Participating in sports and exercising offer many benefits, regardless of your child’s age. However, it's important that young athletes give themselves the time they need to rest and don't lock into any single sport too early.

Acute pain can be helpful: It tells us when there is a problem in our body. However, chronic pain is different and may negatively affect a child’s daily life and happiness.

In this episode, host Dr. Jennifer Arnold talks with special guest Dr. Christine Greco, Division Chief of Pain Medicine at Boston Children’s Pain Treatment Center. Together, they offer practical advice and answers to questions like:

• What does it mean to have chronic pain?
• What are the different types of chronic pain?
• How is chronic pain treated?
• Is there a connection between stress and chronic pain?
• What are some of common myths about chronic pain?
• What research is underway about chronic pain?

Overall, chronic pain can be managed. Don't be afraid to ask for help, especially when that pain impedes your child's ability to do what they like to do.

In this digital age, many parents struggle with how to manage their child's time online using social media, gaming or watching videos. In this episode, host Dr. Jennifer Arnold talks with special guest Dr. Michael Rich, Director of the Digital Wellness Lab and the Clinic for the Interactive Media and Internet Disorders at Boston Children's Hospital. Together they offer practical advice and answers to questions like:

• Is there a specific age that is best for a parent to give their child a phone or social media?
• How can parents set boundaries when it comes to screen time?
• When should parents use parental controls?
• How much time is too much for your child to be spending online?
• How do parents keep their kids from getting involved in the dangerous viral challenges on social media?

Overall, parents need to know that they already have the parenting skills they need. They just have to step into the digital space where their children spend so much time with confidence and competence.

Whether you’re a new parent or just ready to make a change, choosing a pediatrician is one of the most important decisions you can make for your family’s health. In this episode, host Dr. Jennifer Arnold chats with special guest Dr. Valentine Esposito, a physician at Boston Children’s Primary Care Center and the Martha Elliot Health Center, to get answers to questions like:

• What are some of the logistical considerations in choosing a pediatrician?
• Who should parents talk with for word-of-mouth recommendations?
• How important is a provider’s communication style?
• Is telehealth something to ask about?
• How do you address mental health when choosing a provider?

Ultimately, every pediatrician wants you to find the right fit for your family. If you’re worried you didn't choose the ideal pediatrician, keep looking — it’s never too late to make a change.