Autism is one of the most commonly known developmental disorders in children, but its symptoms aren’t always obvious. Usually beginning in early childhood, the signs of autism spectrum disorder can appear as difficulty in social communication but vary widely. In this episode, Dr. Joshua Ewen, a pediatric neurologist and neurodevelopmental pediatrician at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, brings years of expertise to answer questions about diagnosis, therapies, and research, expanding awareness of the diversity of autism in children.

More children are being prescribed eyeglasses and contact lenses than ever before to help correct myopia or nearsightedness, and this trend shows no signs of slowing down. In this episode, Drs. Noreen Shaikh and Magdalena Stec, pediatric optometrists and co-directors of the Myopia Clinic at Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, talk about this issue and some innovative treatments and tips that could help prevent the condition from getting worse as children age.

ADHD is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders of childhood and may cause children to be overly active and have a tough time paying attention and controlling impulsive behaviors. But there are effective treatments and ways to manage symptoms and help children with the disorder thrive. In this episode, Dr. Andrea Spencer, a child and adolescent psychiatrist and physician scientist at Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, offers helpful information and advice to help families navigate an ADHD diagnosis.

Food allergies are one of the most common chronic childhood diseases, and several studies have suggested that food allergies have increased dramatically over the past several decades. Dr. Ruchi Gupta is a Luire Children’s physician, food allergy researcher, and food allergy mom, who has been at the forefront of improving childhood and adult allergic diseases for the past two decades. In this episode, she discusses the prevalence of food allergies in children across the U. S., the latest treatments and research, and things we can all do to keep children with food allergies safe.

Anxiety disorders are on the rise in children and teens, but there are resources and evidence-based treatments to help kids who are struggling lead productive, happy lives. In this episode, two Lurie Children’s experts, child and adolescent psychologist John Parkhurst, PhD, and clinical social worker Mallory Hilliard, LCSW, CADC, explain the signs, symptoms and causes of the anxiety disorders. They explain how family support and potential interventions, including therapy and medication, can manage the disorder and help kids thrive.

Firearms are the number one cause of death for kids in the United States. It’s a startling statistic that Lurie Children’s physician and mass shooting survivor, Dr. Emily Lieberman, wants to change. This episode covers the importance of secure gun and ammunition storage to help prevent accidental and intentional shootings, the mental health impact of witnessing gun violence, legislative changes to curtail gun violence, and how parents can navigate these difficult topics with their children. This episode also includes a recounting of Dr. Lieberman's personal experience in a mass shooting. 

Exposure to lead at a young age can disrupt brain development, making lead intoxication a serious health concern. But lead lurks in many places and knowing where it may be hiding and how to protect children from exposure is important. Dr. Helen Binns, a pediatrician and director of the Lead Evaluation Program at Lurie Children's, specializes in caring for children exposed to lead and conducts significant research on the topic. Dr. Binns unpacks the myriad ways children might come into contact with lead, potential health risks, and strategies for contact prevention.

It's never too early or too late to talk with children about the dangers of substance use. In this episode, Dr. Mariah Rahmandar, a Lurie Children’s attending physician in the Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine at Lurie Children's and the Medical Director of the Substance Use and Prevention Program, discusses how parents can help prevent drug and alcohol use in their children and offers strategies for helping kids who have already developed a substance use disorder.