A new collaboration between Children’s of Alabama and the University of Alabama at Birmingham is helping adolescent patients with chronic and complex childhood medical conditions transition to adult healthcare.

The Staging Transition for Every Patient (STEP) Program opens Sept. 2, in the Whitaker Clinic of UAB Hospital. The two initiatives included in STEP are:

• individualized transition planning for adolescent patients (beginning around age 14) with complex and chronic healthcare needs currently treated at Children’s of Alabama to prepare them for adult healthcare, and
• a primary care clinic that will serve as an adult medical home to facilitate referrals to specialists, ensuring timely uninterrupted transition and access to other support services including physical therapy, social work, nutrition and emergency planning.

“Children diagnosed with chronic conditions often need to continue managing these diseases into adulthood. Many of these conditions were historically associated with shortened lifespans – for example, cystic fibrosis, spina bifida, sickle cell disease – but now these patients have increased life expectancy due to treatment advances. Therefore, we see an increasing need to develop adult healthcare specialty clinics for these patients as they grow older,” said Carlie Stein, MD, lead physician and medical director for the STEP Program.

The program will help patients make the transition to an adult care model, including the transfer of responsibility for healthcare-related decisions from the parent or caregiver to the individual. “We will work with patients, encouraging them to practice the skills necessary to take responsibility for their own health – how to make appointments, how to get their medications from the pharmacy – as a way to foster their independence as they grow into adulthood,” said Betsy Hopson, program director.

Children’s and UAB already share staff and facilities, but the STEP Program is the first formal program of its kind in Alabama and the surrounding region. This transition of care ensures that patients are matched with primary care physicians who are prepared to handle complex medical conditions, because not all primary care physicians are experienced in treating chronic diseases stemming from childhood, and patients with chronic diseases don’t always need to see a specialist.

Patients can get a referral to the STEP Program from their Children’s specialist or their pediatrician. Patients with a complex or chronic disease of childhood and at least 18 years old can call the UAB Primary Care Access Center to schedule a new patient appointment with the STEP Clinic at 205-801-7474. To begin transition planning from the Children’s side, patients can contact Hopson at 205-638-5281.

The school year is going to look VERY different for Families, from one school district to another the only thing that seems to be the same, is that everything is different. Whether your school is in-person, hybrid, or virtual, it’s going to take some organizing to make sure everything runs smoothly. Here are some ideas to make your days a little easier, whether they’re at home, at school or somewhere in between!

Create a Morning Checklist:
Mornings can be rough, especially when it comes to getting up much earlier than they’ve been used to (SINCE MARCH,) sit down with your kiddo and figure out all of the tasks they need to complete each morning in order to be ready to walk out the door or get ready for their first virtual class. Breakfast, brush teeth, brush hair, get dressed etc… these tasks will vary based on the age of your child but can work with even the smallest students. Make a checklist on a poster board, magnetic board or whiteboard. You can post this in a couple of places around the house as a reminder. If your little ones can’t read, draw pictures. If one of their tasks is to make the bed, draw a picture of a bed. Brush teeth, draw a toothbrush… etc.

Create a homework/homeschool station: Have a designated spot for homework or for doing school from home, stock it with all of your homework/school day essentials.

Set up family inboxes: We have these in our kitchen, one for each child and one for family. We use it to keep school schedules, teacher information, papers that need to be signed, etc…  Make sure to go through these papers periodically throughout the school year (or even weekly) so they don’t accumulate and overflow.

Plan outfits in advance: This is one tip that makes every list you’ll see on the interwebs, because it’s a good one. Whether you have your kiddos pick outfits each night before the go to bed or on Sunday night for the entire week, this tip is a time saver. If your kids are doing virtual school, get them up and dressed, as much of a temptation it will be to stay in those jammies, getting them dressed will help them be more productive (and will look much better on those zoom classes! Also, many schools say they’ll be enforcing dress code and PJs are not allowed, make sure to check with your school for specific guidelines.)

Make your own lunch station: Portion out lunch items ahead of time and set up in baskets or bins for easy grab and go when kids are making their lunches. (also great for virtual learners, and grab and go snacks after school)

Family Calendar/Bulletin Board:
Sometimes it helps to have a centralized calendar up where everyone in the family can see what’s going on each week, In-school/Virtual Learning days, practice days, game schedules etc. We keep this up in the kitchen which is our coming and going spot and I’m sure everyone will pass by it several times each day.

Schedule a weekly “Clean Sweep:” Have everyone spend a pre-arranged 20 minutes each week cleaning, picking up and organizing their things for the week. Do this activity together as a family to help cut down on complaining.

What organizing tips have you implemented to keep everyone on track this school year?

Kids need at least 60 minutes of physical exercise every day for strong bones and muscles, high levels of self-esteem, and overall good health, according to a report by the CDC. Unfortunately, most kids have not been getting enough exercise over the past six months as a result of the lockdown in Birmingham. With school, sports and playtime ruled out, many kids have been spending their days at home sitting in front of screens and grabbing a snack every now and then. According to experts, this type of sedentary lifestyle can be dangerous over time to both the mental and physical health of your child. To prevent this, one of the best activities you can introduce to your child is cycling. Riding a bike is a fun way to get a full-body workout and under the current circumstances, it’s also the safest way to explore the great outdoors in Birmingham. Here’s how to get started.

Choosing your bikes 

If you want your cycling adventures to be fun and incident-free, each member of your family must have the right bike. When choosing a bike for your child, the first thing you need to pay close attention to is the size of it. A bike whose size doesn’t suit your child will be uncomfortable and hard to control, increasing the risk of an accident. Ideally, your child should be able to stand over the bike comfortably with both legs on the ground and the bike frame between them. There should also be an inch of clearance between your child and their bike’s frame to make it easier for them to get on and off. Another thing to consider is where you’ll be going cycling; for example, if you are going to a trail with lots of uphill sections, you’re better off bringing mountain bikes.

Picking a cycling location 

Birmingham has a lot of roads, paths, parks, and trails where you and your kids can go cycling, but not all of them are right for you especially when you have young kids. You want a place where the only thing you’ll have to worry about is cycling, which means avoiding public roads and heading to one of the many child-friendly bike trails in Birmingham such as the High Ore Line Trail, Horsecreek Trail, or Vulcan Trail. But, if you must use public roads, make sure that your child understands and follows all Birmingham cycling laws including staying on the right side of the road, obeying all traffic signs, and signaling turns.

Packing for your cycling trip 

To keep your child safe and happy throughout the trip, there are various items you’ll need to bring with you. First of all, helmets; Birmingham laws require all children below 16 years of age to wear helmets when cycling to prevent serious head injuries should they get into an accident. A few snacks and water bottles can also come in handy especially if you are cycling in places where there are no shops nearby.

Whether you are a Birmingham resident or a visitor, cycling with your kids is one of the best ways to get a full-body workout. On top of that, it allows you to explore some of the roads less traveled where you can find solace and respite during these trying times.

Drumroll please…Itty Bitty Magic City, the amazing adventureland for preschoolers reopens August 5!

The McWane team has worked hard to make this space as safe as it is fun for the little ones. They’ve gone all out, modifying the interactive exhibits , installing hand washing stations and more.

To keep things super safe, each child is given their own bag of toys and playthings as they enter. The “Itty Bitty Bag” provides all they need to fully enjoy the interactive exhibits. The Itty Bitty Bags are turned in at the end of the visit, and the items and bags are disinfected for the next user. Masks are highly recommended for children ages 2-6. Masks are required for everyone age 7 and older. Bring your mask or pick one up in our Cool Stuff Store.

Please note the change in hours before planning your visit!

Monday- CLOSED
Tuesday -CLOSED
Wednesday – 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Thursday – 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Friday – 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Saturday – 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Sunday – 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM

4 Tips for Parents Setting Screen Time Limits for Kids During the Pandemic

With a summer overshadowed by COVID-19, parents are taking a hard look at how to make the right decisions regarding their kids’ increased reliance on screens— which are helping to maintain a sense of normalcy during this socially-distanced time— while also finding the right balance with other important activities.

TV, streaming platforms, and app downloads have all seen notable increases in their use since the pandemic started, and children’s television viewing has also skyrocketed as parents across the world are increasingly turning to screens and technology to entertain and engage their kids.

To get further insights into kids’ screen time habits and behaviors during the pandemic, Brainly— the world’s largest online learning community for students, parents, and teachers— surveyed 5,000 U.S. students (grades 6th-12th, ages 11-18) on its platform.

Some shocking insights were discovered. Consider this: About 25% of kids spend more than 9 hours every day looking at a screen. That screen time has led to just over 50% of students reporting headaches, soreness, and dry or irritated eyes. Since the pandemic began, students said they are spending at least 50% more time in front of screens daily.

Given the unprecedented situation we are facing which has brought on copious new challenges, the traditional boundaries and limits for screen time need to be reassessed.

So, how can parents handle screen time during the pandemic? Eric Oldfield, Chief Business Officer of Brainly and father of two school-age daughters, has a few tips for parents to consider when deciding the best course of action.

Not all screen time is created equal. It’s important for parents to assess how their child is spending their screen time with this in mind. Consuming content to gain information and get creative, as well as collaborating or socializing with their peers, is a great way for kids to maintain connections and continue learning during this unique time. However, time spent playing non-educational video games and watching mindless TV should be more closely monitored.

Designate specific times the entire family unplugs. To avoid battles, it’s best to establish and communicate boundaries before your children start using devices, and sticking to those limits as much as possible. Children, especially younger ones, often crave structure, especially during unpredictable times. It’s still good, for instance, for everyone to eliminate screen use for at least one hour or two before bedtime to avoid impacting sleep cycles.

Make sure screentime consumption is done healthily. Parents may want to consider having their children use blue screen glasses or switching their computer display screen settings to make sure their eyes are protected from harmful blue light. It’s also a good idea to ensure kids don’t sit too close to the screen, get up for a break at least once an hour, and sit with good posture while on the computer for hours on end doing schoolwork.

Come up with a plan that makes sense for your children. As a parent, you know your child better than anyone else and are therefore the best person to decide what and how much media use is the right amount. Remember that screens are no longer the enemies of social interaction, learning, and productivity. Rather, they are enabling people around the world to work and learn and communicate with others during this uncertain time. The real enemies of healthy development in children are the same as adults: a sedentary lifestyle, social isolation, and distractions from schoolwork and learning. Using screens too much can contribute to all of these problems – but they can also counter them.

The COVID-19 pandemic could last for a long time, so as families create new routines, it’s always best to focus on habits that are practical and sustainable. Above all else, don’t feel guilty about turning to screens more than you used to.

For more tips and information on healthy screentime habits, visit www.brainly.com/insights.

ABOUT BRAINLY:
Brainly is the world’s largest online learning community, where students and parents get homework and study help from peers and experts. Students from anywhere can ask questions and get step-by-step explanations from others to go from frustration to understanding. The unique opportunity for students to freely ask questions, as well as gain the confidence that comes from helping others, inspires students to learn in a collaborative community that now receives more than 250 million visitors each month. Based in Krakow, Poland, with its US headquarters in New York City, Brainly is currently available in 35 countries. More information about Brainly is available on www.brainly.com.