Other Services

Reading Pedaitrics offer consultation regarding foreign adoptions. Please call our office for more information.

Medical Home Initiative with a “Star” program for children with special health care needs.

Star Program - Facebook Page

Special Needs

Family Profiles and Contact Information

We would like to introduce our family advisors and provide you with a contact number if you are in need of peer support or simply have a question that you think that they might be able to answer. (Listed in alphabetical order)

MARIAN GEHMAN

Marian is the mother of Julia, born 5-7-02; her daughter who has profound mental retardation, cortical vision impairment and intractable epilepsy. Julia is wheelchair bound and G-tube fed. Marian and her husband, Tim, have three other typical children, Jenny, Jared and Jessica. Marian is a former Special Education teacher and can be reached by calling 610-777-3809 or by email: mariangehman@juno.com

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AMY GROH

Amy is the mother of two children, Aiden, born 4-13-04 and McKenna, born 9-24-08. McKenna was born with a sacrococcygeal teratoma (SCT) that was diagnosed prior to birth. Aiden struggled with speech delay and continues to receive speech therapy for an articulation delay. Amy can be reached by calling 484-955-3404 or by email:amyegroh@gmail.com

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MELISSA SOWERS

Melissa is the mother of Stephanie, her daughter with Cystic Fibrosis (CF), born 8-7-97. Stephaine is an active student in the Wilson School District. Melissa and her husband also have a younger son, Eric, who is not affected by CF. Melissa can be reached by calling 610-678-8816 or by email: msowers12@hotmail.com

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AMY SNYDER, RN

Amy is the mother of Nicholas, son with Autism, born 8-7-97. Amy and her husband also have a typical older son, Jacob. Amy is a nurse in the Emergency Room at the Reading Hospital and can be reached by calling 610-796-1860 or by email: amysnest@msn.com

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CAROL WENRICH

Carol is the mother of Adam, born 6-14-01, with complex congenital heart defects and without a spleen. Adam also suffered a stroke before he was 3 months old leaving him with a mild form of Cerebral Palsy. Adam wears a leg brace and has received Botox injections. Carol and her husband, Darrell, also have an older daughter, Emily. Carol can be reached by calling 610-693-9607 or by email: brspri@aol.com

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DONNA WOLF

Donna is the mother of Kyle, her son with Down Syndrome, born 6-23-97. She and her husband, Mike, also have a typical younger daughter, Taylor. Kyle is a student in the Wilson School District. Donna is actively involved with the Eastern PA Down Syndrome Center and works tirelessly as an advocate at the Mental Health Association. Donna can be reached by calling 610-777-0758 or by email: wolfgsx@verizon.net

Laboratory services including anemia testing, bilirubin (jaundice) testing, urinalyses, and fungal cultures.

An online guide on topics that deal with nutrition for infants and children.  All documents are provided in pdf format. You must have Adobe Reader in order to view them. Adobe Reader is a available for free at www.adobe.com.

• Birth – 2 Months
• Two – Four Months
• Six – Nine Months
• One Year – Toddler
• Older Children and Teens

Evaluate And Diagnosis Of Symptoms

Our trained professional staff will do the initial evaluation if you think your child is having problems with focusing and attention.  We also continue to treat your child after the initial diagnosis has been made.  

The ultimate goal in the treatment of ADHD/ADD is to make your child as successful as possible in all aspects of his/her life.

ADHD FAQs

WHAT IS ADHD?

Children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD have differences in their brains than those who don’t have ADHD. Certain areas of their brain may mature more slowly. Additionally, children with ADHD have imbalances in neural networks and neurotransmitters, the chemicals that nerves use to communicate.

Knowing that ADHD has a neurological basis is important because it helps parents understand that their child isn’t disobedient or oppositional on purpose. Instead, children with ADHD need help to learn to control their behavior.

The brain differences are also important because they occur in specific areas responsible for skills such as self-regulation, organization, working memory, problem-solving, reasoning, and time perception. The brain areas affected determine your child’s ADHD symptoms.

WHAT SYMPTOMS DEVELOP DUE TO ADHD?

ADHD symptoms fall into three categories: inattentiveness, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Some children may only struggle with inattention, while others have trouble with two or three categories.

Each child has a different range and severity of symptoms. However, their symptoms are severe enough to affect their performance at school, at home, and when socializing.

When children struggle with inattention, they:

• Can’t pay attention at school or while playing
• Have difficulty organizing tasks
• Avoid tasks requiring mental effort
• Lose important items
• Forget to do homework and chores

When children struggle with hyperactivity and impulsivity, they:

• Fidget, squirm, or get out of their seat during class
• Run or climb when it’s inappropriate
• Talk excessively and interrupt conversations
• Have a hard time waiting for their turn
• Act or speak without thinking

Children and adolescents with ADHD also have problems with working memory. Working memory allows them to hold several pieces of information in their head long enough to use them to plan, do calculations, or to coordinate one activity with another.

HOW DO YOU DIAGNOSE AND TREAT ADHD?

To evaluate and diagnose ADHD, our professional team use tools such as a checklist of symptoms, talking with parents and children about their challenges, and questionnaires completed by parents and teachers. Your child also has a thorough physical exam to be sure another problem is not the cause of their symptoms.

Once your child has an ADHD diagnosis, their pediatrician at our office prescribes treatment and schedules regular follow-up appointments to monitor their progress.

Your pediatrician may recommend conventional and/or holistic treatments, depending on each child’s needs. For example, your child may improve with a combination of medication, dietary changes, and behavioral support.

If you or your child’s teacher are concerned about your child’s inattentive, hyperactive, or impulsive behaviors, call our office to schedule an ADHD evaluation.

Asthma & Allergy Management

Our practice provides a comprehensive asthma and allergy management program for our patients. Our pediatricians are trained in the diagnosis and management of childhood asthma and allergies. Diagnosis is usually made during a sick visit when a child is wheezing or exhibiting symptoms of allergies. Occasionally, we may diagnose your child with asthma or allergies during a preventive care visit based on patient or parent concerns or our exam findings.

Pulmonary Function Testing

Pulmonary function testing is done at least annually and may be done when monitoring medication changes. The test results are interpreted by our providers to help guide your child’s treatment. This is a non-invasive test performed in all patients age 5 or older with asthma to assess lung function and response to medication and to assess overall asthma control. 

Asthma Education

We teach about environmental controls and avoidance of triggers. We also watch your child using his/her inhaler to confirm it is being used correctly. Information about caring for the medication devices that your child uses is provided and reviewed at every visit. We will provide an Asthma Action Plan for your child for school and will provide a Food Allergy Action Plan if needed.

Maintence Visits

Children with asthma should be seen in our office every 3-12 months depending on their severity of illness and their asthma control. Regular visits are required in order for us to evaluate your child prior to medication refills.

HELPFUL RESOURCES:

• Asthma Overview 
• How to Use a Diskus Inhaler - video and instructions
• How to Use a Metered Dose Inhaler (MDI) - video and instructions
• How to Use a Twisthaler - video and instructions

We are here to support you!

If your child has a disability or a chronic illness, your journey may feel like the road less traveled. You probably have interactions with many different professionals and specialists. You need information, assistance, understanding, and support.

We're here to help.

If your child has significant medical needs, we will partner with you to help you manage your child's condition. We look forward to getting to know you and your child, and will be your dedicated point of contact through this journey.

Breastfeeding Support

Breastfeeding provides essential nutrition for infants birth to one year and older. As with learning anything new, most breastfeeding mothers and babies (and dads too!) need some instruction and support during this learning period.

That's where we come in!

We have a high number of breastfeeding families. We will do our best to help you meet your breastfeeding goals. Any breastmilk you feed your infant is a gift of health for your child that lasts their lifetime.

We respect each family's feeding decisions. We do encourage moms to breastfeed exclusively or give only  breastmilk for the first four months then continue to breastfeed and give solid foods until your baby is a year old.

We love babies and enjoy helping families learn how to breastfeed! We will help you as little or as much as you need. We provide in-office feeding evaluations for hands-on help as well as phone support for any questions you may have along your breastfeeding journey.

Some areas we can provide guidance include:

• Positioning your baby at the breast

• Latching

• Caring for your breasts and nipples

• Assessing milk transfer

• Assuring adequate nutrition

• Assembling and using a breast pump, including sizing for the right size flange

• Storing milk

• Returning to work/school while breastfeeding

• Traveling and breastfeeding

• Training a breastfeeding baby to a bottle

• Teething while breastfeeding

• Breastfeeding premature babies

• Managing slow weight gain babies

• Breastfeeding twins

• Breastfeeding babies with special medical needs such as cleft palate, Down Syndrome, and heart conditions

• Managing medications, medical tests or surgery while breastfeeding

Please call our office to schedule an appointment.

Newborn Care Begins From The Moment Your Baby Arrives

Here at Reading Pediatrics, we like to begin your newborn care in the hospital and continue as an integral part of the comprehensive care provided by our professional team!

Our pediatricians understand the challenges of taking care of a newborn. They also provide the same gentle care they’d use for treating their family. If you’re pregnant, looking for a pediatrician, and you’d like to meet the team, or you need to schedule a newborn visit, call our office.

 

Newborn Care FAQs

When does my newborn have their first checkup?

Your new baby has their first checkup within two weeks after leaving the hospital. During this newborn care visit, their pediatrician performs the required newborn screening tests in the office, so you don’t need to make a separate trip to the hospital for your baby’s testing.

Your newborn’s checkup is a comprehensive exam to be sure they’re growing and developing normally. During the checkup, the pediatrician:

• Checks your baby’s weight, length, and head circumference
• Evaluates your baby’s feeding, bowel, and sleeping habits
• Does a physical examination, including an eye exam
• Performs a developmental evaluation

These visits also give parents time to ask questions about their baby, whether they’re not sure about how to bathe the baby, they have trouble with feeding, they’re worried about the baby’s sleep schedule, or any other concerns.

What screenings does newborn care include?

Some states routinely screens for genetic and rare medical conditions, including 32 core and 24 secondary conditions. The goal is to identify and treat diseases early enough to prevent serious complications such as growth problems, developmental delays, intellectual disabilities, blindness, deafness, and seizures.

Within the first 24 hours after delivery, your newborn has a hearing screening, and blood is drawn from their heel to run the routine screening tests. Some states require the same procedure to take place at your baby’s two-week checkup.

What are well-child visits?

Well-child visits are ongoing checkups for children that follow a specific schedule. After the two-week newborn care visit, your newborn should see the pediatrician at one and two months.

During each visit, their pediatrician will evaluate their growth, developmental milestones, and behaviors. If your baby needs routine blood draws, they can also be done in the office.

Just like the two-week newborn care visit, every well-child checkup is an opportunity to talk with the pediatrician about baby care and your baby’s health and safety.

Your pediatrician also gives immunizations at the two-month visit to protect your baby from:

• Polio
• Hepatitis B
• Rotavirus
• Diphtheria
• Haemophilus Influenzae
• Pneumococcus

Small doses of the same immunizations are repeated several times over the first 18 months to be sure your infant is fully immunized against contagious diseases.

Children may experience a range of medical conditions that could benefit from the expertise of a pediatric specialist in a particular field. We emphasize the coordination of all healthcare providers involved in a child's treatment. Our role involves working with specialists to ensure the best care for your child, including providing guidance on when specialty care is recommended.

In order to facilitate a productive relationship between the patient, primary care provider, and specialist, it is typically essential for us to conduct an initial assessment at our office before making a referral. This step enables us to furnish the specialist with comprehensive and current information regarding the child's health condition, as well as details about their recent physical examination.

Additionally, this allows us the opportunity to potentially consult with the specialist via phone while the patient is present in our office, especially if the health concern requires urgent intervention. Patients consistently derive advantages from the constructive collaboration between primary care providers and specialists.

At your convenience, we kindly request that you give our office a call for any prescription refill needs you may have. Our team is dedicated to providing outstanding patient care and ensuring that your medications are readily available when you need them.

We understand the importance of timely and accurate prescription refills, which is why we urge you to contact us as soon as you are able. Whether you need a refill for a chronic condition or a short-term medication, we are here to help. Our knowledgeable staff will be happy to assist you with any questions or concerns you may have about your prescriptions. Thank you for choosing our office for your healthcare needs.

Sports physicals are different from the typical well-child checkup because their goal is to be sure your child can safely enjoy sports without risking harm to their body.

• Ensure your child is prepared for vigorous physical activity
• Gather information on your child’s health and development
• Watch for potential warning signs of serious illness
• Meet the requirements of your child’s school, camp, or sports team
• Identify possible risk factors with a certain sport
• Receive advice on avoiding injuries

Regular physicals are an important part of preventative pediatric care. Getting your child an sports physical gives the doctor the opportunity to examine your child, evaluate their health and fitness, and determine whether or not they are prepared for sports or school activities.

Annual physicals however, even when not required by a certain organization, should be a part of your child’s ongoing healthcare because they also provide an important opportunity to discuss your child’s development and any concerns you may have.

Sports Physicals FAQs

What is a sports physical?

Every child or teen in Texas who wants to play in a sport or engage in other school activities like cheerleading must have a sports physical or a preparticipation physical examination. They also need a sports physical to clear them to return to their activities if they suffer an injury or become ill during the season.

The purpose of a sports physical is to be sure your child can safely participate in sports. Suddenly starting high-intensity workouts and engaging in competitive sports can quickly aggravate a pre-existing problem or lead to a preventable injury when an exam discovers potential problems.

Although a sports physical may find a problem that prevents your child from participating, in most cases, the examination results guide decisions. The exam reveals problems that Eastside Children’s Clinic can treat before your child starts a sport, and shows if your child needs extra training to get in shape to safely participate.

Why is a child’s medical history important?

Children and parents use a medical history form to provide information about:

• Chronic illnesses such as asthma, diabetes, or epilepsy
• Hospitalizations or surgeries
• Past injuries such as concussions, sprains, or fractures
• Problems with dizziness, chest pain, or breathing during exercise
• Medications and supplements
• Allergies
• Family history of serious illnesses

A complete medical history helps your doctor determine if your child has a condition that sports activities might aggravate.

How is a sports physical exam different from an annual checkup?

The physical exam for sports participation has a different focus than a wellness exam. During a sports physical, a pediatrician at Eastside Children’s Clinic evaluates your child’s musculoskeletal health, assessing bones, muscles, and joints for flexibility, strength, and signs of overuse injuries or stress.

Their doctor carefully examines concerns that could reappear during sports activities, such as previous fractures, sprains, concussions, skin infections, a past history of pain or dizziness, and chronic health conditions.

An existing condition doesn’t always prevent a child from playing sports, but it may mean that they need help to accommodate their activity.

If your child has asthma, for example, they may need a different inhaler or need to learn to use their inhaler shortly before they start their warmups to prevent an exercise-induced asthma attack.

If your child needs any type of physical, call our office or schedule an appointment online.