FREE AUTISM SCREENING FOR YOUNG CHILDREN November 1, 2010

The Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida, in partnership with the Ronald McDonald House Charities^® of Southwest Florida, offers a free monthly autism spectrum disorder screening for toddlers 18 months to 5 years of age.

 

The next screening will be held Nov. 12 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Cape Coral Hospital’s Child Development Center located at 636 Del Prado Boulevard, Cape Coral.

 

It is estimated that one in every 150 children is diagnosed with some form of ASD, making it more common than childhood cancer, juvenile diabetes and pediatric AIDS combined.

 

Medical consultants for the project stress that an early diagnosis can make a vast difference for toddlers and their families. They say early intensive behavioral intervention can make an immense difference not just in the development of the child, but in their families as well.

 

The ASD screening is conducted by the Neurosciences Center at The Children’s Hospital, under the guidance of pediatric neurologist Jose Colon, MD, MPH, and pediatric psychiatrist Marianne Krouk, DO. The screenings are administered by an Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner, who has extensive training and experience in typical child development and developmental disorders.

 

A physician referral is not required. To schedule a screening, please call 239-985-3608.

HURRICANE SEASON September 21, 2010

Time to Get Ready… A Hurricane is coming to Our Town!

Hurricane season is no longer just around the corner…it’s officially here until December 1^st. While preparing for a hurricane can be a stressful time for a child…actually living through one is even more stressful. Without knowledge about what is happening, children are worried and fearful. This book is designed to explain to your child what to expect, from the initial warning that a hurricane is coming, to the aftermath of the storm.

Time to Get Ready will help explain the phenomenon of hurricanes to children in a “grow and learn” non-threatening way, from a child’s perspective. The paperback has vibrant illustrations and straightforward dialogue. Children will be able to follow along as Mia and Jonathan’s entire family, including Elvis the dog, pitch in to get ready for a hurricane, experience the event, and recover from the storm.

Time to Get Ready…A Hurricane is Coming to Our Town! is dedicated To the Children…the most vulnerable people affected by natural disasters. A portion of all book sales will be donated to hurricane victims through charitable organizations such as, Feed The Children. To learn more about Time to Get Ready…A Hurricane is Coming to Our Town! visit www.time2getready.com or www.jillpress.com

NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK April 9, 2010

            Do not forget to raid your pantries this weekend and on Monday deliver all your unused, nonperishable foods to your nearest Collier County Public Library branch.  During National Library Week, from April 12 to April 17, public libraries will be accepting canned and nonperishable food items to donate to local food banks in an effort to help local families in need.

            This year’s National Library Week theme is Communities Thrive @ your library, and so Collier County Public Library is proud to host a week-long food drive.  Food donation bins will be available at all of Collier County’s libraries. 

In tough and good economic times, libraries give free access to books, computers, information for resumes and job searches, accurate financial information and programs for adults and children.

Collier County Public Libraries circulates more than 3 million items to customers each year including printed books, ebooks, audio books, CDs, DVDs and downloadable books.

First sponsored in 1958, National Library Week is a national observance sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA) and libraries across the country each April. 

For more information, call the Headquarters Regional Library call (239) 593-0334 or visit us online at www.colliergov.net/library.

CHILDREN’S INJURY PREVENTION FAIR January 19, 2010

The Children’s Injury Prevention Fair will be held this Saturday, Jan. 23, 2010 at Lee Memorial Hospital, 2776 Cleveland Avenue, Fort Myers from 10 am until 2 pm.

The fair is designed to promote injury prevention by combining fun activities and useful information for the entire family.

The Injury Prevention Fair is presented by Lee Memorial Hospital’s Emergency and Trauma Services in conjunction with The Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida. Each year, thousands of children across the country are hospitalized for falls, burns, car accidents and other injuries. “Some of these injuries are avoidable,” said Lisa Sgarlata, RN, Vice President of Patient Care at Lee Memorial Hospital. “We hope that parents will bring their children to the fair and learn some of the simple steps they can take to prevent injuries. “

Special features include car seat and helmet fitting stations; rollover vehicle; Stay Alive Just Drive information; fatal vision glasses; CPR demonstrations, helicopters, ambulance, safety house, Smokey Bear, Swampy, K-9 unit from LCSO, LCSO public services vehicles; EMS participation; safe baby-sitting information; fingerprinting; gun safety; pediatric nutrition; tobacco prevention;  pediatric swimming instruction information; and a lot more.  Healthy snacks will also be available.

Children are encouraged to bring their favorite stuffed animals or a doll to the fair so they can participate in the Teddy Bear Clinic. Child life specialists will guide the children as they pretend to give medical treatment to their toy so they understand better what happens at hospitals and what doctors and nurses do to help them when they do not feel well or are hurt. This helps calm their fears should they ever need medical attention.

Free helmets will be available to 100 children provided the helmet is fitted properly to the child. There are only 100 helmets available to be shared.

At the car seat fitting station, parents will learn about car seat safety, proper installation and recalls. Anyone wishing to have his or her car seat checked by the Child Advocacy team from The Children’s Hospital should call 432-4491 to make an appointment for the day of the fair, Saturday Jan. 23, 2010.

The activities and booths will take place in the Auditorium and parking lot in front of the hospital.

HEALING ARTS September 18, 2009

 

Options Thrift Shoppe Features Healing Arts

Visit the Healing Arts exhibit at Options and purchase art, jewelry and collectibles donated in support of The Shelter’s life-transforming programs and services. Healing Arts items will be available throughout the month of October, starting Friday, October 2, 2009.

 

Proceeds from the store, including the Healing Arts exhibit, ensure The Shelter is able to prevent abuse before it begins, protect victims of domestic violence and prevail over this social ill.

 

Located at 968 Second Avenue North, Options Thrift Shoppe store hours are Monday through Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more information about the Healing Arts merchandise, please call 239.775.3862.

Naples, FL – 9/18/09- The Shelter for Abused Women & Children’s Options Thrift Shoppe, 968 Second Avenue N. in Naples, will highlight pieces by Florida-based artisans throughout the month of October in a Healing Arts display as part of the organization’s National Domestic Violence Awareness Month campaign.

ELMO! September 1, 2009

Sesame Street’s” Elmo Joins Flu Fight

  A beloved “Sesame Street” character is joining the fight against swine flu. Elmo is seen in public service announcements encouraging kids to adopt healthy habits that can help stem the spread of the illness. The spots were the result of a partnership between Sesame Workshop and several federal government agencies, including the department of health and human services. Elmo tells children about good habits such as frequent hand washing on the announcement. The announcements continue Sesame Workshop’s efforts against swine flu that began with the first knowledge of the illness in the spring.

Westwood One Wire

HOMEWORK……EEEEWWWWW!!!! May 20, 2009

Ball And Chain Invented For Studying

  The days of forcing your children to do their homework appear to be over.  According to the “Daily Telegraph,” a company has invented a ball and chain that locks onto a child’s ankle while they do their school work.  Parents can lock the device for up to four hours, and it automatically opens when the time runs up.  Just to be safe, the prison-style study aid comes with a key that can unlock it at anytime.  The ball and chain weighs 21 pounds and costs nearly 120-dollars.  The item’s designer, Emilio Alacorn, says, quote, “The project was born of a conversation I had with a friend who was studying for a civil service exam.  He said: ‘I haven’t left the house in a week, this is like being in jail.’” 

Interesting huh?! You want/need one? Here’s where you can find them!

www.curiosite.com.