Evidence Based Resources for Pediatric Therapists

12/20/2025

When it comes to mental health care, complex kids need a complex team. This multidisciplinary course has experts from all the specialties that are involved in caring for adolescents and young adults with medical complexity.

Register Here: https://www.aacpdm.org/professional-opportunities/ecourses/20252026-lifespan-ecourse

12/19/2025

Why aren’t more parents reading to their kids?

A new article from The74 says it’s not just time, it’s also tech. Screens are everywhere. For many young parents, reading feels like school, not fun.

"When we introduce screen time very young, and we don’t manage the amount of time children are spending on screens, … it can be difficult for children to transition from such an exciting medium to a medium like a book that may initially feel not as exciting" - Rebecca Parlakian, Senior Director of Programs, ZERO TOTHREE

But when kids miss out on daily reading, they miss out on a lot: vocabulary, focus, social skills. Read the article: https://bit.ly/4rD4EVR

12/19/2025

Perinatal brain injury can result in long-term neurodevelopmental sequelae. To examine the most significant consequences from a patient perspective, this questionnaire study explored the strengths and difficulties in daily functioning after perinatal brain injury, by child self-report and parent-proxy report. Difficulties were reported by 91% of participants and 76% of parents. Both parents and participants often mentioned difficulties with cognitive functioning including attention, memory, and processing speed. Furthermore, parents described social skills and movement difficulties, while participants mostly reported learning difficulties. Half of the parents reported that the difficulties significantly impacted their families' daily lives. The findings underscore the need for comprehensive consideration of these challenges in care and research.

🌟 CanChild Co-Authors: Jan Willem Gorter and Marjolijn Ketelaar

🔗 Read more: https://ow.ly/rhnr50XLFTi

12/19/2025

Join us on Monday, Dec. 15, at 1pm EST for a FREE parent support and discussion group led by Dr. Dan Shapiro, Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrician.

Our topic this week is “Paws, Hoofs and Development: Why Animals Matter in Our Children’s Lives.”

👉🏽 Register for this free discussion at http://shorturl.at/bemHZ .

Pets—and regular exposure to animals—can play a powerful role in children’s development, especially for kids with developmental differences.

Animals offer steady companionship, nonjudgmental connection, sensory comfort, and daily opportunities to practice empathy, responsibility, and emotional regulation.

Many children who struggle with peer relationships find it easier to bond with a pet, building confidence that later transfers to human interactions.

Animals can also help reduce stress, promote movement and outdoor time, and bring joy into routines that otherwise feel hard.

At the same time, it’s important to acknowledge the challenges: caring for a pet requires time, money, and consistency; some children may be frightened, overstimulated, or allergic; and families may feel guilt if the fit isn’t right. In this session, we’ll explore the full picture—the benefits and the potential pitfalls.

Join other parents and Dr. Dan by Zoom for a participant-led discussion.

Different themes are selected by the group each week.

Share experiences and ideas. Support each other. Brainstorm solutions.

You are not alone.

12/18/2025

Thank You APTA 💪🏼👍

12/16/2025

New children's book highlights disability, friendship, joy and the F-Words! 🌟

"Joy on Joy" by CanChild Associate member Rae Martens is a heartwarming children's book that invites young readers to explore the meaningful connections between friendship, joy, and the realities of living with disability.

This charming story encourages children to embrace differences while discovering the power of positivity and resilience.

The F Words are referenced at the end of the story as an opportunity for parents and kids together to learn more about the framework.

➡️ Purchase it here: https://ow.ly/IEfr50XFZeC

12/01/2025

December 4 - 5, 2025 | Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Institute

Enhance your knowledge and skills to provide the highest quality of care for children with special needs and their families at this two-day conference.

🌟 Highlights include:
- Keynote presentations on precision health and the evolving genetics of cerebral palsy delivered by Dr. Evdokia Anagnostou and Dr. Darcy Fehlings
- Plenary sessions covering ADHD, Rett Syndrome, feeding and sleep disorders, and more
- Workshops exploring ARFID, spasticity management, and early CP diagnosis

🔗 Visit their website to learn more: https://www.childdevelopmentupdate.com/

12/01/2025

Join us on Monday, Dec. 1, at 1pm EST for a FREE parent support and discussion group led by Dr. Dan Shapiro, Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrician.

This week, we will have a discussion of a recent The New York Times article by Jia Lynn Yang: “America’s Children Are Unwell. Are Schools Part of the Problem?”

👉🏽 Register for this free discussion at http://shorturl.at/bemHZ .

From ADHD to anxiety, disorders have risen as the expectations of childhood have changed.

We will explore the idea that the crisis in children’s physical and mental health isn’t just about individual behaviors or family stress—but is deeply rooted in our education system itself.

The argument: schools, as currently designed and governed, are significant contributors to the problems our children face— chronic illness, emotional dysregulation, and developmental delays.

Policy pressures (like testing, underfunding, and fragmented wellness supports) and structural constraints within schools may be undermining children’s health as much as external factors, even distorting the diagnoses that children receive.

In our session, we’ll reflect on how these systemic issues affect our families and what we, as a community, can do to respond and advocate.

Join other parents and Dr. Dan by Zoom for a participant-led discussion.

Different themes are selected by the group each week.

Share experiences and ideas. Support each other. Brainstorm solutions.

You are not alone.

11/13/2025

11/11/2025

We're excited to announce a special cohort of the Family Engagement in Research (FER) Course, proudly sponsored by RareKids-CAN. This means course fees are covered for eligible participants.

This cohort aims to bring together learners who share an interest in or are affected by pediatric rare disease research, including patients, families, researchers, and trainees.

Course Highlights:
✅ Earn a McMaster University Certificate of Completion
⏰ ~30 hours of learning: 4 x 2-hour Zoom sessions + online group activities
📅 January 17 - March 19, 2026
📖 Learn more: https://tr.ee/OJiFnJ
📝 Apply now: https://tr.ee/90eSMj
Questions? Contact fer@mcmaster.ca

11/10/2025

11/10/2025

For years, doctors warned parents to keep peanuts away from children until they turn three. But experts now say delayed exposure helped cause a peanut allergy surge in the U.S.

Hear more from Dr. Robert Wood, Chief of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology at Johns Hopkins Children's Center, on "Lessons from America’s peanut allergy flip flop."

▶️ https://wbur.fm/49bNeZw