May 2023 Pediatrics Newsletter

Hi all! For anyone new to the newsletter, my name is Ashley Stone, and I am the pediatric SLP at DiagnosTEX. Our outpatient Modified Barium Swallow Study clinic is now open every Tuesday and Friday for pediatric patients of all ages! We have supported seating devices for those that are in need. A few quick facts:

❖ We accept most insurances.

❖ We MUST have a signed order from a physician prior to initiating any contact with families. All orders should be faxed to 888.920.1201.

❖ I will personally call all families and the treating SLP (if applicable) prior to the study to gain a thorough history.

❖ In addition to faxing the full report to the referring physician & the treating SLP, I will also call/text the treating SLP following the study to give a brief synopsis.

May is Better Speech and Hearing Month

Send some love to a friend, co-worker, or someone you know that is an SLP or Audiologist

Summer Time

As summer approaches, children are more prone to a less active daily environment and more screen time. Below are the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommendations on screen time, broken down into age groups:

❖ Under 24 months: No use of screens

❖ Ages 2-5: 1 hour per day

❖ Ages 6-17: 2 hours of non-schoolwork use

We all live very busy lives and cannot always stick to every guideline. However, it is a good reminder to try and balance out their screen time use during the week. For those that have worked with children with language delays, we always preach that modeling is one of the best methods of teaching children language and play. The same can be said for screen time use. As adults, we should set a strong example for the children and limit our use as well. Encourage and plan activities as a family that don’t involve screen time! Let’s educate ourselves and families on the impact that increased screen time may have on their child.

Obesity	Irregular sleep	Difficulty managing emotions
Diminished social skills	Diminished attention	Impaired academic performance
Violence	Language Delays	Less time for creative play

Resources

❖ Identifythesigns.org – A fantastic resource for families and clinicians to educate themselves and the public on the warning signs of communication disorders. There are colorful and easy-to-read handouts that can be printed directly from the website. These might be helpful to families, especially during the summer.

❖ Dfwchild.com – Navigate to the ‘Camps’ tab on the far right for a comprehensive list of summer camps.

❖ Your city’s government website may have local summer camp and activity information.

We are always available Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm, to answer any questions you may have! If you have any questions regarding the referral process or patient specific questions, please email me directly at ashley@diagnostex.us.

I, and the rest of the DiagnosTEX staff, look forward to helping you serve your patients and ensure a safe diet for ALL children.

Keep an eye out for a newsletter each month!

Dates to Remember:

May 1-5: Teacher Appreciation Week

May 8-13: Stuttering Awareness Week

May 5: Cinco de Mayo

May 14: Mother’s Day

May 20: Armed Forces Day

May 29: Memorial Day