Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS)

Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), previously called hyaline membrane disease (HMD), is a newborn health condition characterized by breathing difficulty. It occurs when a baby’s body does not produce enough of a lung-lubricating substance called surfactant. Babies with RDS have trouble expanding their lungs, which can make it difficult for them to take in oxygen and...

The STAR Institute for Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) defines sensory processing as “the way the nervous system receives messages from the senses and turns them into appropriate motor and behavioral responses” (1). SPD occurs when these sensory signals are not detected by the brain or are not matched with the correct responses. This can cause...

Going to the movies can be stressful for children with autism, sensory processing disorders, or developmental disabilities. Things like theater lighting, the volume of the movie, and having to sit still quietly may cause distress. This often causes families with children with developmental disabilities to leave a movie early or decide against going to the...

There are 102,000 children in the U.S. foster care system waiting to be adopted. Children with special circumstances (whether they are older children, are siblings, have disabilities, or they have complex medical needs) have an average wait of nearly 4 years in the foster care system. We are going to focus on those children with...

During their education, doctors learn “medical jargon.” This refers to words and phrases that are useful when communicating with other medical professionals but may be very confusing to patients. The best doctors are careful not to overwhelm their patients with medical jargon, and instead try to use simple language when explaining things (unless the patient...

Independence Day can be an exciting holiday for children of all ages and abilities. Firework shows, parades, barbecues, festivals, and many other fun activities can create an action-packed celebration. But for children with sensory processing disorders, the commotion can be more upsetting than entertaining. To prepare for Independence Day with your child, we’ve compiled a...

The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is essential to the survival of many premature and sick infants. However, babies in the NICU may also be exposed to certain types of harm, including neurotoxic chemicals (such as phalates and phenols), restricted social interaction (which can hinder bonding and language development), and abnormal light and sound stimuli...