Links and Books

Parenting Resources

Sleep Advice

Breastfeeding

Immunization

Illness

Safety

Dyslexia/ADHD

Special Needs


Parenting Resources

  • What To Expect the First Year. Heidi Murkoff. Workman Publishing Company (October 8, 2008) Nearly 700 pages of snappily written, friendly advice, constructed in the form of chatty answers to hypothetical questions, are arranged on a month-by-month basis. For each of 12 months, there are a guide to the progress the baby may be expected to be making at this stage, a list of potential health or other problems and paragraphs on the myriad questions all new parents ask--on subjects as various as in-home care, birthmarks, circumcision and breath-holding. Other sections cover what to buy for a new-born, first aid, recipes, adoption and even how to enjoy the first year, in terms of the parents' own activities, such as social life and sex.

  • Dr. Spock's Baby and Childcare. Benjamin Spock, M.D. 8th EditionThe Classic Handbook -- Completely Up-To-Date. For generations, parents across the world have relied on Dr. Spock's expert pediatric advice. Now, In this fully revised edition of his timeless bestseller, you'll find all the information you need to meet the changes and challenges of childrearing in the new millennium -- including entirely new chapters about international adoption, coping with terrorism and disasters, college planning, autism, and other such topics as: breast-feeding: the latest research, approaches, and techniques common medical-care Q&A, talking to your child about sex, drugs, and disease immunizations, vitamins, and nutrition, learning, behavioral, and physical disorders, dental and vision care, raising nonviolent children, teaching tolerance, blended families, gay and lesbian parenting, first aid and injury prevention ...and more.

  • Siblings Without Rivalry: How To Help Your Children Live Together So You Can Live Too. Adele Faber, Elaine Mazlish. Collins Living; Expanded edition (December 14, 2004)Disciples of the late Haim Ginott, a child psychologist, Faber and Mazlish have conducted workshops on family relationships and co-authored Liberated Parents, Liberated Children (Avon, 1975) and How To Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen So Kids Will Talk (Rawson Wade, 1980). The present book states that sibling rivalry stems from jealousy similar to that a spouse might feel if asked to welcome another husband or wife into the household. It outlines ways to defuse such explosive situations as comparing, assigning roles, or taking sides and suggests specific remedies to avoid conflict. Cartoon-like illustrations and "quick reminders" help reinforce new behavior.

  • Food Fights: Winning the Nutritional Challenges of Parenthood Armed with Insight, Humor, and a Bottle of Ketchup. Laura A. Jana, M.D., FAAP, Jennifer Shu, M.D., F.A.A.P. American Academy Of Pediatrics; 1 edition (October 1, 2007) Restore "peas and harmony" to the dining table with this comprehensive guide to building successful childhood feeding strategies. Focus is placed on the food-fight challenges parents are most likely to face-such as starting babies on solid foods, dealing with picky eaters, and making healthy food choices in child-care settings and restaurants-and a wide range of winning solutions are offered. More than a simple nutrition guide, this book also addresses the behavior and development issues surrounding the feeding challenges of early childhood.

  • Food and nutrition guidance at nutrition.gov. Here you'll find practical information on healthy eating, supplements, fitness and how to keep food safe.

  • At healthfinder.gov, the U.S. Depatrment of Health and Human Services website, you'll find information on a wide range of health topics selected from over 1,600 government and non-profit organizations to bring you the best, most reliable health information on the internet.

  • At My Kids Week, Pikes Peak Kids, Pikes Peak Parent and Peak Radar you'll find a wealth of activities, programs, classes and more in the Colorado Springs and Denver areas that are searchable by age, category or specific event.

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Sleep Advice

  • On Becoming Baby Wise: Giving Your Infant the Gift of Nighttime Sleep. Gary Ezzo and Robert Bucknam. Parent-Wise Solutions, Inc.; 4 edition (September 25, 2006) On Becoming Babywise brings hope to the tired and bewildered parents looking for an alternative to sleepless nights and fussy babies. It teaches parents how to lovingly guide their baby's day rather than be guided or enslaved to the infant's unknown needs.

  • Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child. Marc Weissbluth, M.D. Ballantine Books (October 4, 2005) Here Dr. Marc Weissbluth, a distinguished pediatrician and father of four, offers his groundbreaking program to ensure the best sleep for your child. In Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child, he explains with authority and reassurance his step-by-step regime for instituting beneficial habits within the framework of your child's natural sleep cycles.

  • Solve Your Child's Sleep Problems. Richard Ferber, M.D. Fireside; Rev Exp edition (May 23, 2006) When your child isn't sleeping, chances are that you aren't either. Solve Your Child's Sleep Problems--a tired parent's essential for more than 10 years--offers valuable advice and concrete help when lullabies aren't enough to lull your child into dreamland. Based on Ferber's research as the director of Boston's Center for Pediatric Sleep Disorders at Children's Hospital, the book is a practical, easy-to-understand guide to common sleeping problems for children ages one to six. Detailed case histories on night waking, difficulty sleeping, and more serious disorders such as sleep apnea and sleepwalking help illustrate a wide variety of problems and their solutions. New parents will benefit from Ferber's proactive advice on developing good sleeping patterns and daily schedules to ensure that sleeping problems don't develop in the first place. You'll also find a bibliography of children's books on bedtime, sleep, and dreaming, as well as a list of helpful organizations.

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Breastfeeding

  • The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding. La Leche League International. Plume; 7 edition (May 25, 2004)

  • In this newly revised edition of The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding, you will learn:
    • How human milk offers lifetime benefits for your baby
    • How to prepare for breastfeeding during pregnancy
    • How to exercise and lose weight safely while nursing
    • How to find time for yourself while meeting baby's needs
    • How to increase your milk supply by using herbs and medications
    • How to be sure your baby is getting enough to eat


  • Alliance Breastfeeding Center offers the only local breastfeeding center located at Academy and Vickers. Cindi Swisher is a Certified Lactation Consultant and provides lactation consults at your home, on the phone or in her shop . You can find everything from baby slings to breast pumps at her store. She also offers classes on breastfeeding and childbirth and does fittings for nursing bra.
  • Memorial Hospital Lactation Service - 719-365-2549
  • St. Francis Medical Center Lactation Service -719-571-3100

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Immunization/Vaccine Information

  • Vaccines: What You Should Know. Paul A. Offit, M.D., Louis M. Bell, M.D. Wiley; 3 edition (April 15, 2003) Get the straight facts about vaccines and making informed choices
    Coauthored by Paul Offit, a member of the CDC advisory committee that determines which vaccines are recommended for use in the United States, this guide tells you what vaccines are made of and clearly explains how they are made, how they work, and the risks associated with them.This updated edition includes recommendations for the smallpox vaccine, the latest information on vaccines for travelers, and the latest on the progress of combination vaccines. Expanded information on vaccine safety includes discussion of vaccines and autism, mercury in vaccines, and the ability of children to tolerate numerous vaccines at once.

    1) "For the most up to date information, check out the web site for The Vaccine Education Center at www.vaccine.chop.edu"

  • Vaccine Safety-The Institute for Vaccine Safety through Johns Hopkins University provides an independent assessment of vaccines and vaccine safety to help guide physicians, parents and policy makers.

  • Find more information on vaccine safety at the Centers for Disease Control.

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Illness

  • Guide to Your Child's Symptoms by the American Academy of Pediatrics: The Official, Complete Home Reference, Birth through Adolescence. Donald Schiff, M.D., F.A.A.P., and Steven P. Shelov, M.D., M.S., F.A.A.P. Villard; 2nd edition (September 8, 1997)Schiff and Steven Shelov have arranged the contents of the Guide to Your Child's Symptoms by the child's age: you'll find symptom guides from baby's colic, diarrhea, and spitting up to your adolescent's anxiety, depression, and skin problems. For each symptom, there's a description of usual causes, a chart of questions to consider, and what action to take. There's also an illustrated "First-Aid Manual." Guide to Your Child's Symptoms is a first-rate resource that explains when bed rest will do and when to get on the phone to your pediatrician.

  • Your Child's Health: The Parents' One-Stop Reference Guide to Symptoms, Emergencies, Common Illnesses, Behavior Problems and Healthy Development. Barton D. Schmitt, M.D., F.A.A.P. Bantam; 2 edition (November 29, 2005)

  • At Rocky Mountain Poison and Drug Center you'll find poison prevention tips and information on the safe handling of chemicals, medicines and more. Be sure to post the number for poison control next to your home phone or on your cell phone.
    1-800-222-1222

  • KidsHealth is the largest and most-visited site on the Web providing doctor-approved health information about children from before birth through adolescence. Created by The Nemours Foundation's Center for Children's Health Media, the award-winning KidsHealth provides families with accurate, up-to-date, and jargon-free health information they can use. KidsHealth has been on the Web since 1995 - and has been accessed by about half a billion visitors. On a typical weekday, more than 500,000 visitors access KidsHealth's reliable information. KidsHealth has separate areas for kids, teens and parents--each with its own design, age-appropriate content, and tone. There are literally thousands of in-depth features, articles, animations, games, and resources - all original and all developed by experts in the health of children and teens.

  • At The Children's Hospital you'll find a plethora of information on children's wellness and safety including a Kids Health Library of Health Information, Parenting Advice, Family Health Advice, Safety Information and much more. Be sure to sign-up for the monthly Health eNews newsletter that provides health information that's tailored to your families ages and stages.

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Safety

  • Colorado Child Passenger Safety provides up-to-date information on car seat recalls and will schedule free car seat safety inspections at one of their Fitting Stations around the Colorado Springs area.

  • At the American Academy of Pediatrics you'll find a thorough, timely car seat guide from newborns and upwards.

  • Find child safety products that have been subjected to tough hands-on product testing and review at One Step Ahead.

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Dyslexia and ADD/ADHD

  • Driven to Distraction: Recognizing and Coping with Attention Deficit Disorder from Childhood to Adulthood. Edward Hallowell, John J. Ratey. Touchstone (March 2, 1995)The authors employ a broad, general definition of ADD ("high-energy, action-oriented, bottom-line, gotta-run-type people") and continually emphasize the special, positive qualities of people with ADD. They describe how ADD affects adults--many Americans mistakenly think of it as a childhood curse--and explain how the American temperament helps create ADD-like symptoms. Best of all are the stories and case studies of myriad folks who have dealt successfully with their diagnosis. A state-by-state list of support groups are included in this excellent approach to an intriguing subject.

  • Answers to Distraction. Edward Hallowell, John J. Ratey. Bantam (March 1, 1996)Answers To Distraction provides practical solutions to the dilemmas of ADD. This "user's guide" to ADD is presented in question-and-answer format ideal for even the most distractible reader. Each chapter covers a specific aspect of ADD, such as ADD in women, ADD and aggression, ADD and addiction, or ADD and work. The authors provide advice for teachers on recognizing ADD and helping students to cope, plus extraordinary insights into the relationship difficulties caused by ADD.

  • Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD), is a national non-profit, tax-exempt (Section 501 (c) (3) ) organization providing education, advocacy and support for individuals with AD/HD. In addition to their informative Web site, CHADD also publishes a variety of printed materials to keep members and professionals current on research advances, medications and treatments affecting individuals with AD/HD. These materials include Attention! magazine, the CHADD Information and Resource Guide to AD/HD, News From CHADD, a free electronically mailed current events newsletter, as well as other publications of specific interest to educators, professionals and parents.

  • Bright Solutions for Dyslexia offers information on the symptoms of dyslexia, recent literature on what we know about dyslexia, testing for dylexia and various teaching methods. Be sure to check out the webcasts on symptoms, solutions, testing and treatment of dyslexia by Susan Barton.

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Special Needs

Screening for Developmental Problems

  • Early Intervention Colorado is Colorado's Infant and Toddler Initiative under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. and provides services for children who have developmental delays or other disabilities, live in Colorado and are under the age of 3 years. Early intervention can help you and your family support and promote your child's development, within your family activities and community life. Find more information at the EIC website or call 719-365-5244

  • The Autism and Developmental Disorders Clinic at Memorial Hospital for Children is a clinic that provides an interdisciplinary team approach to diagnose children with developmental disorders including autism and autism spectrum disorders. The evaluation and diagnostic team consists of a Developmental Pediatrician, Registered Occupational Therapist and Speech and Language Pathologist. For more information call 719-365-5422.

  • The Infant Developmental Assessment Clinic at Memorial Hospital uses a multidisciplinary approach to address the needs of infants and young children who are at risk for developmental concerns or who have identified special needs. The clinic sees infants who are premature or have very low birth weight, have multiple health needs, are diagnosed with chromosomal or congenital syndromes, have neurological issues, have sensory challenges or do not show typical developmental progression. For more information call 719-365-5422.

  • Pediatric Rehab at Memorial Hospital provides hearing screenings for children of all ages. For more information call 719-365-5244.

  • The Children's Hospital Child Development Unit evaluates children with a variety of developmental and neurobehavioral differences. They provide single-specialty evaluations as well as an interdisciplinary team approach, where multiple specialties see a child during a single appointment. Specially trained clinicians provide patients and families with the resources necessary to understand a diagnosis, cope with the challenges they might face, and find appropriate therapies or interventions. For more information visit The Children's Hospital website or call 720-777-1234.
  • Colorado Hearing and Auditory Processing Center evaluates children for hearing loss and auditory processing disorders. For more information visit Colorado Hearing or call 303-424-5234.
  • The Neuro Connection offers neuropsychological testing for children with disabilities, developmental delays and speech delays. For more information call 719-575-0375.

Services for Developmental Problems

  • Memorial Hospital for Children Pediatric Rehabilitation offers a full range of rehabilitation services for evaluation and treatment of children in the inpatient, outpatient and community settings. Our pediatric rehabilitation services are designed to serve children from birth to 21 years of age. Our care team includes physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech/language pathologists, audiologists, massage therapists and pediatricians. Call 719-365-5244 or visit Memorial Hospital Peds Rehab for more information.
  • The Pediatric Rehab/Child Development Center of Colorado Springs has been offering quality pediatric rehabilitation services to the Pikes Peak Region since 1988. Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Speech & Language Therapy are available and children requiring comprehensive services can receive all disciplines in one setting. For more information visit the Child Development Center or call 719-574-8300.
  • Developmental Pediatrics, 719-475-0477.

  • Nursing and Therapy Services of Colorado (NTSOC) is a non profit agency dedicated to helping individuals with special needs. Services provided are in-home nursing with Registered Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses, Certified Nursing Assistants, Physical Therapy, Occupational therapy and Speech Therapy. For more information call 719-574-5562 or visit the NTSOC website.

  • The Resource Exchange is a non profit agency offering services for individuals with developmental disabilities including Early Intervention for children birth to three years who are delayed in achieving developmental milestones, such as walking and talking, or are diagnosed with a developmental disability, such as Down syndrome or autism. They also offer Children's Extensive Support for children ages three to18 who have extensive behavioral and/or medical conditions and require 20-24 hours of daily support as well as Family Support for those over the age of three who live with parents or family members. For more information call 719-380-1100 or visit The Resource Exchange.
  • Elizabeth Straka Speech Associates offer speech evaluation and treatment for children with speech disabilities and delays. Call 719-633-9114 for more information.
  • Zach's Place Program provides respite care for families with special needs children. Call 719-329-1717 for more information.
  • Shriners Hospitals for Children is a system of 22 hospitals dedicated to improving the lives of children by providing specialty pediatric care. Children up to the age of 18 with orthopedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries and cleft lip and palate are eligible for admission and receive all care in a family-center environment at not charge--regardless of financial need. Visit Shriners or call 800-237-5055.

Support Groups/Resources

  • Cerebral Palsy Association (CPA) of Colorado Springs provides financial, emotional and community support to individuals with Cerebral Palsy. Visit CPA or call 719-638-0808 for more information.
  • National Institute for Neurological Diseases and Stroke offers information on all neurological conditions. Visit NINDS website for more information.
  • Association for Retarded Citizens of the Pikes Peak Region offers services for people with developmental disabilities including an advocacy program, a judicial program, a guardianship program and various education programs. Visit ARC of the PPR for more information or call 719-471-4800.
  • Cheyenne Village is a non profit organization serving individuals with developmental disabilities like cerebral palsy, autism, down syndrome and mental retardation in El Paso, Teller and Park Counties. They offer 5 group homes and assist over 100 people in their own homes. Find more information at Cheyenne Village website or call 719-592-0200.
  • Parent to Parent of Colorado provides information and emotional support and resources for parents across Colorado. Visit P2P website or call 877-472-7201.
  • Seizures and Epilepsy in Childhood: A Guide for Parents. John M. Freeman, M.D., Eileen P.G. Vining, M.D., Diana J. Pillas. The Johns Hopkins University Press; 3rd edition (November 25, 2002) This book reflects the latest approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy in childhood, including the use of the ketogenic diet as a treatment for children who either do not respond to traditional drug therapy or who suffer intolerable side effects from medications. In addition, the authors include information addressing special needs children with epilepsy have regarding routine health care.

  • Children with Cerbral Palsey: A Parent's Guide. Elaine Geralis. Woodbine House; 2nd edition (August 1998) Cerebral palsy affects one in every 500 children. This lifelong disability resulting from damage to the brain before, during, or soon after birth encompasses a wide variety of disorders that affect one's ability to control muscles and posture. This volume, featuring contributions from professional caregivers, therapists, and parents, provides a thorough description of cerebral palsy, its diagnosis and treatment, and its effects on development. Practical hints on the daily care of the afflicted child are offered, as well as help in seeking out and understanding the role of occupational, physical, and speech therapy. A guide to early intervention, special education, and an outline of legal rights are included. The extensive listing of federal, state, and local government agencies as well as parent and professional groups is especially useful.

  • The National Center for Learning Disabilities provides essential information to parents, professionals and individuals with learning disabilities, promotes research and programs to foster effective learning and advocates for policies to protect and strengthen educational rights and opportunities. Visit the Parent Center for information on parenting strategies, guides and learning toolkits.

  • National Health America is a resource for mental health disorders. You can search for information on topics ranging from autism to depression via drop down menus that are categorized by audience, issue or disorder/treatment. You'll also find help on paying for prescriptions, information on inpatient and residential treatment and much more.

    Aspen Pointe:


    www.aspenpointe.org



    ABA Websites:


    http://www.abaresources.com/index.htm


    http://rsaffran.tripod.com/whatisaba.html


    http://www.healthychildren.org (and search for Applied Behavior Analysis)


    http://www.aap.org/pressroom/issuekitfiles/ManagementofChildrenwithASD.pdf



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Updated 3/25/09