Autism and Mental Health

• The Autism Society of America provides information about autism and local and national resources for families, health care professionals and educators

• New Theories Help Explain the Mysteries of Autism  - (NYT, 12/28/99)

• Unraveling the Mysteries of Autism - Probing for physiological causes of autims, this interactive diagram illustrates what regions of the brain seem to be affected by autism and what these abnormalties suggest. Interactive model produced by Steve Duenes (The New York Times).

• Research Brief: Brain Chemicals in Babies May Foretell Autism and Retardation -- (NYT, May 4, 2000)

• Curbing Use of Psychiatric Drugs for Children  -  The FDA and the National Institutes will begin a huge nationwide study of Ritalin use in children under the age of 6, and the White House will hold a conference this fall on the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness in very young children. 

• Allies Against Asthma -- a national program, located at the School of Public Health at the University of Michigan, provides support to community-based coalitions which are implementing comprehensive asthma management programs that include improved access to and quality of medical services, education, family and community support, and environmental and policy initiatives. The primary aims of the program are to reduce hospital admissions, emergency room visits, and missed school days; to enhance the quality of life of children with asthma; and to develop a sustainable strategy for asthma management in the community.
  
  
• Asthma and other Health Issues -- The Office of Children's Health Protection (EPA) developed this searchable database to inform the public about some public health topics affecting children.

• Asthma and Allergy Prevention  - The National Institute on environmental Health Sciences (NIH) is providing information on asthma, allergies and some of the most common seasonal and non-seasonal allergens and asthma irritants. "PREVENTIVE STRATEGIES" to help avoid exposure to these substances are also provided.
  
  
• The Pediatric/Adult Asthma Coalition of New Jersey - The Pediatric/Adult Asthma Coalition of New Jersey is working with schools, physicians, health insurance companies, community groups and environmental agencies to reach all individuals in New Jersey with the most effective methods for managing their asthma.

• National SAFE KIDS Campaign to prevent unintentional childhood injury--the number one killer of children ages 14 and under.

Lead Poisoning

• State of NJ: Lead Safe NJ
  Lead poisoning is the "number one" environmental health issue that affects children under the age of six.  Each year, nearly 5,000 New Jersey children are diagnosed with dangerous levels of lead in their blood.  Lead- based paint, found in and around older homes built before 1978, is the primary cause of lead-poisoning.  It is a statewide problem affecting urban, s uburban and rural households.  Yet, childhood lead poisoning is entirely preventable.

• LeadSafeNJ - Lead Based Paint: Are You At Risk? The Leadsafenj Program is a collection of public education, outreach and training initiatives made possible through funding by the State of New Jersey Department of Community Affairs as authorized by the Lead Hazard Control Assistance Act.
  
  
• Lead Alert - Playing with Poison - a series of video clips from NJN

Parenting Tips

• Tips to Protect your Kids -- The Office of Children's Health Protection (EPA) developed this website to provide information to parents about what can be done about their children's health and the environment they live in.

• Parents' Guide to the Internet  produced by the US Department of Education.

• Kids Health Galaxy, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia's Web Site for Kids - At The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, we understand that illness and hospitalization are stressful events in the lives of children and their families. We also know that education and preparation make a positive difference in how children and their families cope with these events. Kidshealthgalaxy.com is an interactive website for kids, ages 6-12.

• CDC Health Topics: Infants and Children  - Information on major childhood diseases and other topics of concern for parents.
  
  
• Child Health Advice - (Children's Hospital and Medical Center, Seattle, WA) Guidelines (topics) intended to help you determine how sick your child is and if you need to call your child's doctor. Their second purpose is to help you treat your child at home when it is safe to do so.

• Family Village - A Global Community of Disability Related Resources. Includes information on recreation, schools, churches, and more.

• Sibling Support Project  is a national program dedicated to the interests of brothers and sisters of people with special health and developmental needs. 

• Children's Oral Health: Tips for Parents  by the American Dental Asssociation (ADA). Oral Health Topics from A-Z.
  
  
• Beyond Beautiful Smiles: Children's Oral Health by Richard Louv, Senior Editor of Connect for Kids. He argues for reframing of the discussion on children's oral health to shift the focus from the standard images and topics associated with dental health toward the larger health implications for both individuals and the public. Advocates should connect oral health to gaps in health insurance for children and families. 

Vision 

• Children's Vision Information Network - highlights many undiagnosed vision problems in children
  

• Children and Domestic Violence Prevention  (Family Violence Prevention Fund) Explores relationship between domestic violence and child abuse, its effect on children, as well as provides information on how to get Help!

• FDA approves Meningitis Shots
  
  
• National Immunizations Program  (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) - This site provides recent and accurate immunization information from the National Immunization Program, the Federal Government's principal agency for immunization policy and recommendations. You will find a wide range of immunization information including information about vaccine preventable diseases, the benefits of immunization, and the risks of immunization vs. the risk of disease. In addition, you will find a wide range of educational materials and resources.
  
  
• Vaccine-Preventable Childhood Diseases (CDC) describes diseases, symptoms, vaccines---and reasons why vaccinations are important;  includes childhood vaccination schedule.



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Resources for New Jersey Families

• ACNJ Family Resources

• New Law about School Pest Management became effective on June 12, 2004. It is designed to protect children, who are more vulnerable to the hazards of pesticides, from exposure, while still maintaing good pest control in schools.
  

  School Integrated Pest Management (SIPM) FACT SHEET for parents - page 1
  FACT SHEET for parents - page 2
  This fact sheet produced and published by the New Jersey Environmental Federation (NJEF) and Clean Water Fund (CWF) "This legislation puts New Jersey in the lead in protecting children from the hazards of pesticides in schools," states Jane Nogaki, Pesticide Program Coordinator for the New Jersey Environmental Federation. >>> http://www.cleanwateraction.org/njef/pesticides.htm

• When Good Intentions Backfire and Create Food Aversions - How to prevent family meal from becoming a battleground

• Are you pushing your child too much in sports?

• Children and Television: Some suggestions for parents

• Dangerous Days of Summer (Environmental Defense Network)
  How do smog and soot affect children in your city? This page reports on the air quality of major U.S. cities to see where air pollution can make outdoor play dangerous.
  
  Looks at the link between asthma and air quality and offers solutions.
  You can sign up for "Action Alerts"
  
  
• Prevent Mold Exposure from Children’s Health Environmental Coalition
  
  
• HealtheHouse - an animated website from Children’s Health Environmental Coalition illustrates Problems and Solutions affecting children's health in and around the home