Dealing with Bullying page 2. The Importance of Sports Physicals page 3. Music Therapy Enriches Lives page 4. Health News from Pediatric Experts at

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1 Health News from Pediatric Experts at THE Children s hospital of michigan Dealing with Bullying page 2 The Importance of Sports Physicals page 3 Music Therapy Enriches Lives page 4 fall 2012 Ranked as one of America s Best by U.S. News & World Report Scan this QR code to subscribe to Safe & Sound.

2 What Parents Can Do About Relational Aggression (Bullying) By Dr. Georgia Michaloupoulou ( GeorgiaMichalopoulou) Georgia Michaloupoulou, M.D. Relational aggression is a form of bullying. For a child, it consists of manipulating relationships to exert control over another child, or harming another child by damaging his or her friendships or reputation. This kind of behavior is a growing concern for parents as it can sadly lead to life-long consequences and even death. Research shows that students who have been the targets of relational aggression have: Increased depression Increased anxiety More anger Increased feelings of loneliness Lower GPA Eating disorders Relational aggression can be difficult for parents to observe because it is discreet, often existing within the subtle nuances of communication and relationships. It can also be difficult to identify and prove. What parents can do: Talk to your children about gossiping and ignoring as a form of bullying. Let your children know that they can talk to you about any problems. Let them know what behavior is not acceptable and why. Don t excuse poor behavior, but don t overreact to it either. Respond with disciplinary strategies that help a child develop the skills and capacity to become a healthy adult. Make sure your children are aware of the emotional damage hurtful words and behaviors can cause. Teach children to be compassionate, model appropriate behavior, avoid gossip yourself children learn what is acceptable by watching their parents and praise them when they follow your lead. Encourage girls to express their feelings in healthy and respectful ways. Take reports of relational aggression seriously. Make sure your child s school or program has procedures in place to deal with these issues. Every child deserves to feel safe and respected. Encourage your child to form and maintain friendships based on mutual interest rather than social status. If necessary, seek counseling if your child is involved in bullying. Kids themselves are powerful weapons. Teens listen to their peers. Empower your children and their friends by encouraging them to stand up for victims and effect change by refusing to be an audience for a bully. Instead they should walk away, don t laugh, don t gossip. Encourage your children to keep a journal of relational aggressions. It is theorized that by writing about trauma, an individual begins to process it by breaking it down in a meaningful way, which may help loosen the traumatic impact. Validate your child s pain. Empathize with your child and keep the conversation going. It might help to talk about what might be behind the bully s behavior (jealousy, lack of self-esteem). Monitor situations. Strategize with them, empathize with them and only intervene as a last resort. If situations require intervention, consider short-term professional counseling for your child. Among other things, the situation often involves losses that need to be grieved and positive perspectives that need to be brought out. Dr. Michaloupoulou is Chief of Staff, Child Psychiatry and Psychology, at The Children s Hospital of Michigan. Learn more by visiting org/pediatric-psychiatry-andpsychology. page 2

3 Shelley Street, M.D., with a patient. Know if Your Child s Sports Participation Has Limits Why do schools require sports physicals for student athletes? With busy schedules, parents may hope to get in and out of their child s doctor appointment quickly with just a couple of answers to questions and a quick signature on a sports form. However, the form requires much more than a simple signature on a piece of paper. Sports physicals provide a chance to talk to your child s physician about health issues ranging from nutrition to asthma to underlying injuries that can impact health and performance. How are sports physicals different than yearly physicals? An annual physical should be done every year, whether your child participates in sports or not. It is an evaluation of age-appropriate growth and development, and may include an evaluation of school performance and screening for common diseases and at-risk behavior for your child s age group. It also provides an opportunity to discuss general health concerns. Sports physicals consist of evaluating the child s medical history and tests, enabling the doctor to recommend appropriate sports for your child. The form can inform coaches, athletic trainers and athletic directors of recommended activities for your child, and it helps to determine if precautions are necessary to avoid any medical issues or injuries. The physician can also offer practical advice on proper nutrition, hydration and performance improvement. Parents and their child athlete should take a few minutes to write down a list of questions or concerns to ask the doctor about problems that may be bothersome or medical conditions we should know about, said Shelley Street, M.D., sports medicine specialist at the Children s Hospital of Michigan. Also, it helps to know what sport your child intends To schedule a sports physical or injury assessment with a Children s Hospital of Michigan sports medicine specialist, call KIDS (5437). For more tips, visit kidshealth. to play so we can determine special precautions or treatment that might be needed specific to that sport. What if the doctor finds something wrong during the sports physical? Most kids who undergo a sports physical are able to participate in their sport. For a small number of athletes, they can also participate with appropriate medication or specific treatment from their doctor. Some kids who have injuries may need to undergo treatment, including physical therapy and possibly surgery, before they are able to resume their activity. Even kids with serious health problems often find a sport in which they can participate. Follow us on Social Media at Children's Hospital of Michigan page 3

4 3901 Beaubien Detroit, Michigan Visit us online at Music Therapy Enriches Patients Lives This September marks the 10th anniversary of the Children s Hospital of Michigan Child Life Service music therapy program. The program s success in enriching patients lives while in the hospital enabled its expansion in Today, music therapy is a reliable and highly valuable resource at the Children s Hospital of Michigan, as both a distraction tool and as a method for patients to express themselves while healing by using a range of motion and mental focus on something other than themselves. What is music therapy? Music therapists Laura Duda and Blythe Philp describe it as using music as a tool to facilitate physical changes that are not musical in nature. Music can be used as an educational tool for memory and to improve motor and social interaction skills for patients with special needs. And music therapy is for the enjoyment of patients of all ages. While being in the hospital, patients don t always have control over what s going on. Music gives them an opportunity to make choices, allowing patients the opportunity to create music. It can also help them focus on relaxing. Using harmonicas, taking deep breaths, and a program called guided imagery allows therapists to help patients focus mind over matter. Music therapy is not only for the patients; Laura and Blythe are a support system to families that may be going through a time of grief. Music therapy also gives parents an opportunity to have an outside-of-thebed interaction with their children. This provides encouragement and an opportunity to bond. The program s success over 10 years is due in large part to the music therapists who run it, and the patients who benefit are their fans for life. Music Therapists Blythe Philp (top photos) and Laura Duda (bottom photos) interacting with patients. & safe sound Herman Gray, M.D., President Children s Hospital of Michigan Vickie Dahlman-Anger, Editor To ask a health question, dial For story suggestions, call or chmmarketing@dmc.org. Safe & Sound provides general health information and is not intended to provide personal medical advice, which should be sought from a physician Printed in U.S.A. Printed on Recyclable Paper 685

5 Scrapes Happen! Mound Rd. Children s Hospital of Michigan Stilson Specialty Center After-Hours Pediatric Urgent Care in Macomb County Hours: Monday - Friday: 6 p.m. 10 p.m. Saturday, Sunday and Holidays: 1 p.m. 7 p.m. First, Fold top panel down. Return this form for a FREE lip balm! Give us your opinion and receive a free lip balm as shown here. Quantities are limited. I would like to receive Safe & Sound, a publication of Children s Hospital of Michigan, by (write address in address box below). I have used the services of Children s Hospital of Michigan or one of its health care partners at least once. Please take my name off your Children s Hospital of Michigan mailing list. For more information, check the appropriate box below: Finding a pediatric specialist Volunteer opportunities Donation opportunities name street address city state zip address phone number Kids health stories you d like to see in Safe & Sound: Second, Fold bottom panel up. Children s Hospital of Michigan After-Hours Pediatric Urgent Care at the Stilson Specialty Center 19 Mile Rd. 18 Mile Rd. Van Dyke Monday - Friday...6 p.m p.m. Saturday, Sunday and Holidays...1 p.m. - 7 p.m Garfield Road Clinton Township (just south of 19 Mile Road)

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