February 4, 2012

EarlySignsofAutism.com Review

EarlySignsofAutism.com

Autism and autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are a topic of great interest and importance to parents, and, as with all aspects of parenting, the more parents know, the more effectively they can do their job as caregivers.

EarlySignsofAutism.com is a site designed to offer information to parents and caregivers on a wide range of autism and ASD-related matters.

The website is designed to provide resources and information regarding the early identification of autism in infants and toddlers; since early detection is key to early intervention, the resources on this site are invaluable to anyone wanting to learn more about autism and ASDs.

On the site’s main page you will find information regarding the upcoming Second Autism Conference on Signs of Autism in Infants: Changing Outcomes Through Early Identification and Intervention, scheduled for October 11 and 12, 2008, in Yorba Linda, California.

The site also contains an autism blog that reports on the latest research and findings related to early autism detection and intervention, and a link to Child Development Media, Inc.’s website, where readers can find a wealth of information about child development.

The Autism Links and Resources link is being updated to include even more information for readers; currently, you can find links to a page about the 2008 International Autism Conference Preliminary Brochure , autism books and videos, and DVDs from the 2006 International Autism Conference.


NursingAndDiapers.com Review

Nursinganddiapers.com

All parents know that the two things they must be prepared for when baby arrives are feeding and diapering.  While those are simple and basic needs, parents still need choices and information when it comes to the accessories that go along with these two activities.

NursingAndDiapers.com is a wonderful resource for finding high-quality cloth diapers, diaper bags, and breast- and solid-feeding essentials.

The site’s four main categories are diapers, diaper bags, nursing and breastfeeding, and bottle and solid feeding; under each link readers will find items chosen for their quality and easy of use.

The diapers section has both all-in-one cloth diapers as well as a wide selection of quality pre-fold cloth diapers.  Check out the diaper bags section for a selection of stylish, functional diaper bags in a variety of colors.  (Several of these appear designed so that Dads won’t feel awkward carrying them).

If you’ve decided to breastfeed, the essentials you need are here as well.  Find breast milk storage items, breast pump accessories, and high-quality breast pumps on the site under the “Nursing and Breastfeeding” link.  Several brands are available here, and you can choose from manual pumps for occasional use to more substantial electric pumps for daily use.

Finally, don’t forget that your baby will, sooner than you realize, be eating solids, and the “Bottle and Solid Feeding” section of this site will assist you in choosing the right sterilizers, bottle and food warmers, and hot-and-cold packs for transporting bottles and baby food.

Ordering from this site is safe and easy, and Nursing and Diapers will never share your personal information with an unauthorized third party.

Ask Dr Sears Review

Askdrsears.com

The Sears family is the “first family” of prenatal and pediatric advice; Dr. Bill Sears and his wife Martha, an RN, lactation consultant, and former childbirth educator, along with their three sons (who are also pediatricians) have many years of experience and practice – both as healthcare providers and as parents.

As a result, their website is full of information presented in a down-to-earth, user friendly way, and is a wonderful resource for a wide spectrum of childbirth and child rearing information.

The website is divided into main categories, ranging from pregnancy and childbirth to breastfeeding, vaccinating, sleep problems, fussy babies, childhood illnesses, and a number of other topics.  Under each is an extensive breakdown of information tailored to allow the reader to understand complicated topics in a reassuring way.

The “What’s New” and “Pediatric News” sections keep readers up-to-date on the latest in illnesses, research, and the Sears’s media appearances.  The “Regular Features” tab contains links to the parents’ forum, blogs, and the question of the week.

Readers can sign up for the newsletter, order books, and research the latest in pediatric news, as well as find and purchase products recommended by the Sears.

The site’s search feature makes finding just what you’re looking for a little easier, but you may find that just browsing the site and linking from one topic to another is just as valuable: the conversational tone and calming advice presented here makes this site a valuable one for parents or parents-to-be.

March of Dimes Review

marchofdimes.com

The March of Dimes is a well-known and established organization devoted to education and advocacy for healthy newborns.  The March of Dimes is dedicated to improving the health of babies by preventing premature birth, birth defects, and infant mortality.

Their website contains a great deal of information from which parents can benefit.  Users can review all the information or jump straight to a local chapter by entering their ZIP code in the search bar on the homepage.

The site’s homepage is packed with information for parents, including a Calling All Moms blog where parents can share and learn parenting tips, a Prematurity Campaign section that details what the March of Dimes is doing to assure healthy, full-term pregnancies, a place to Share a Story of your newborn, and a Shop to Help section where users can shop for clothing and other items to show support for the March of Dimes’ programs.

Special Features includes answers to questions about folic acid intake during pregnancy, daily pregnancy tips, what to expect during newborn development, ovulation and pregnancy calendars, and more.

There is a section on Pregnancy and Newborn loss with information about the grieving process and how it affects parents and families, a section that contains articles related to birth defects and genetic disorders, and newborn screening tests.

Fathers will appreciate the Just for Dad section that includes information on how fathers can help with breastfeeding, what to expect when baby comes home, and Dad’s first year.

The Professionals and Researchers section has medical reference fact sheets, a perinatal data resource section, and a product catalogue of March of Dimes resources.

The Ask us Now! Section provides answers to questions about pregnancy diet restrictions, preterm labor, and other common questions about a healthy pregnancy.  Readers can also sign up for a newsletter with news, stories, articles for parents, and more.

The How You Can Help section of the website makes it easy to donate to the March of Dimes and support their advocacy campaigns, or volunteer to help make a difference in the lives of newborns.

Finally, the News Desk section provides up-to-date articles and items in the news that are related to causes the March of Dimes champions.

Scoliosis Rehab Inc. Review

scoliosisrehab.com

Scoliosis is a condition that doesn’t get a lot of press, but if you are affected by it, you likely want to find out as much as you can about possible treatments.  Scoliosis Rehab, Inc. is an excellent resource.

Scoliosis Rehab, Inc., was founded by two mothers of adolescents with scoliosis:  Beth Janssen, with 20 years of experience as a practicing Physical Therapist, and Rhonda Campo, who has 20 years of experience in the healthcare and biotech arenas.  Beth was a Certified Schroth Therapist, who found the Schroth method a way to improve a child’s ability to accept and manage scoliosis.  Because the Schroth method worked so well to help their children improve their vital capacity, the wanted to make the method available in the US.

The Schroth Method is multidisciplinary and involves a physician referral, an evaluation, and an exercise regime directed by a physical therapist trained in the method.

Scoliosis Rehab’s website is designed to inform patients about the method and about treatment available for adults and adolescents.  Learn about training, evaluation, treatment, and goals under the Our Program tab.  The History section provides background about Janssen and Campo and the Schroth method, as well as links to other source material.

There is a FAQ section that answers general questions about scoliosis and about treatments, as well as a references section that allows to reader to find more in-depth information about these topics.

Check out the Services section for information about Scoliosis Rehab, their on-site Pilates studio, and the Klasinski Clinic, located in Stevens Point, Wisconsin.

Readers will find an extensive list of related literature in the Resource section and a simple form to fill out under the Contact Us tab that will allow Scoliosis Rehab to contact them by phone or email.

The Testimonials page is extensive and contains first-hand accounts from adults and adolescents who have benefitted from Scoliosis Rehab’s services.  The site also provides a useful Travel Links section with maps and lodging information for out-of-state clients.

La Leche League Review

LLLI.org
La Leche League International has been the go-to source for breastfeeding information for years; their classic The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding was published in 1956. La Leche League’s website compiles these years of experience into a place where readers can find a wealth of information, both clinical and practical.

Designed for mothers who are new to breastfeeding, those who are experienced, and for health care providers, this site has resources to answer nearly any breastfeeding question imaginable.

Broken down into easy-to-navigate sub-categories (Help, Providers, Law, Leaders, Publications, and Links), the site is user-friendly. There is also an online store where you can browse publications (many available in Spanish), baby wear, and great selection of nursing bras and sleepwear.

From the site, you can also join LLLI and receive New Beginnings Magazine, an LLLI publication, for free.

KidsHealh Review

KidsHealth.org
If you’re looking for comprehensive, physician-reviewed health information about children and teens, kidshealth.org has it all. The organization has teamed with over 40 hospitals and health care organizations to bring users up-to-date medical information on nearly any aspect of kids’ health you can think of.

The site is neatly separated into sections for parents, kids, and teens, and the graphics and topics in each section are inviting and easy to use. The parents section contains a wealth of information about effective parenting, including information about prenatal concerns.

The kids’ section has questions and answers about how the body works, staying healthy, and even healthy recipes to try. The teen section offers straightforward information on important topics like sexual health and drugs and alcohol.

Search features, “ask the expert” links, featured articles, and “in the news” links round out this comprehensive collection of up-to-the-minute, reliable kids’ health information.