Beyond Back to School Webinar Offers Insights, Provides Helpful Tips
10/10/2023
•
Posted by Fidelis Care
Back-to-school season brings many emotions, as well as new routines for children and families. Earlier this month, Fidelis Care partnered with PM Pediatric Care to host a free webinar entitled ”Beyond Back to School: Seasonal Patterns in Children's Health.” During the webinar, a panel of experts shared tips on helping children successfully return to school.
One of the topics discussed at the webinar was the expected rise in colds and other illnesses at the start of school. Dr. Christina Johns, Senior Medical Advisor and Vice President of Communications at PM Pediatric Care, said the uptick in those illnesses is common at the start of school as more germs circulate among the student body and coincide with seasonal diseases such as the flu. She added that parents should be on the lookout for symptoms and talk to their children's pediatrician about vaccinations.
Other panelists were Dr. Jennifer Petras, Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist at PM Pediatric Care; Dr. Patrice Reives-Bright, Adult, Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist and Senior Medical Director of Behavioral Health at Fidelis Care; and Jennifer Weber, Director of Behavioral Health at PM Pediatric Care. They shared information on various physical and behavioral health conditions, including children’s attentional and organizational issues.
Key takeaways included:
- Transitions to school can be hard for adults and children alike. Parents can set timers, create routines, and set expectations. Remember, kids model their behavior after how adults handle transitions and stress!
- Sleep is important to a child’s wellbeing because it regulates children’s emotional and behavioral health. Parents should talk to their child's pediatrician to identify how much sleep their child really needs.
- Routines can help children get used to new patterns. It also allows parents to set expectations for children's behavior and set consequences if routines are not followed.
Dr. Reives-Bright closed the webinar with a case study. The presenters discussed potential diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes for a patient and highlighted the importance of collaborative care between pediatricians and behavioral health specialists.
View the full webinar here.