Our autism journey part 2: how I knew my son had autism

Nicole Salinas Follow our feature member Nicole Salinas through their journey of autism and what triggered her to finally have him officially tested and diagnosed.

Our autism journey part 1: what is autism?

Nicole Salinas Follow our feature member Nicole Salinas through their journey of autism and what autism really means in this three part series.

Our autism journey part 3: seeking an official diagnosis

Nicole Salinas Follow our feature member Nicole Salinas through their journey of autism and what she learned after seeking an official diagnosis.

Kids and hot cars do not mix!

Kidsafe Leaving children unattended in a car, even for a short period, is dangerous and can be potentially fatal.

Funding issue

Doctors take aim at chiropractors

Julia Medew Chiropractors are peddling shonky treatments that could be dangerous for people, including babies and children, a group of high-profile doctors says.

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Is autism really on the rise?

Andrew Whitehouse The rising prevalence of autism is a story destined to achieve headlines, but how true is it? We look at the numbers.

TV 'of no benefit' for children under two

Benedict Carey Parents of infants and toddlers should limit the time their children spend in front of televisions, computers, self-described educational games and even grown-up shows playing in the background, the American Academy of Paediatrics has warned.

Seeing red over additives

Rachel Browne Artificial food colourings linked to hyperactive behaviour in kids need to be phased out in Australia, as they have been in Britain, according to a growing chorus of nutritionists and child welfare groups.

Scientists to test treatments for children who shun food

Linda Morris A team of Australian scientists will seek to pinpoint the best course of treatment for young problem eaters in a bid to reverse an unprecedented surge in the number of malnourished children who require medical intervention for food refusal.

Toddler seasonal flu jabs on hold

Kate Hagan Seasonal flu vaccinations across Australia for children under five suspended after 23 children in WA are admitted to hospital with convulsions following their injections.

Missing out on brain food puts kids at risk

Stephen Cauchi An overwhelming majority of children do not eat enough fish, placing them at risk of heart disease, asthma, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and retarded brain development, new research says.

News archive

Chips, chocolate and cordial: the diet that fuels toddlers

Julie Robotham More than a quarter of toddlers' total food intake comes from chips, sweetened drinks, biscuits and other nutritionally-poor "extras" as they make the transition from milk to a solid food diet.

Toddler bootcamp

Stiven Pucar Exercise for adults is essential for a healthier lifestyle but parents might find it hard to fathom that your toddler needs exercise also! All children who are at an age where they can walk steadily and copy movements should partake in some form of simple easy exercise.

Aurora's gluten-free life

Nicole Salinas Eating gluten with coeliac disease can lead to health issues of all kinds, so a proper diagnosis is essential. If you or your children have any symptoms, insist your doctor do the relevant tests to determine if a biopsy is called for.

Piercing my three-year-old's ears?

Justine Davies Apart from the risk of infection, which is a risk at any age, there is also a higher risk with young children that they could tear their earlobe.

Don't be afraid to get dirty

Brooke Wells The media know how to play on the fear of parents that germs are the source of family illnesses and infections. But is the opposite in fact in true?

Growing up no easy thing for those born before their time

Nick Miller Toddlers are more likely to get anxious, depressed or have eating or sleeping problems if they were born 10 or more weeks premature, research has found.

Early pointers to autism identified

Julie Robotham Toddlers who later go on to be diagnosed with autism use fewer gestures, such as pointing, Victorian researchers have discovered, in findings that may ultimately become part of an autism screening test.

News archive

Children overload

Ahead of the state Ombudsman's imminent report on child protection, Carol Nader looks at a system swamped with referrals and buckling under the pressure.

Malnutrition a fact of life for many

Robin Barker The news of two child deaths, allegedly involving malnutrition, arouses uncomfortable feelings of incredulity, dismay and shock. As our Premier asked: "How can this be possible in a modern, prosperous state?"

Toddlers might be better with Big Macs

Kate Tarala Cheeseburgers, Big Macs and chocolate biscuits are healthier than some foods designed for babies and toddlers, many of which contain more sugar, salt or fat than similar products marketed to adults.

Selfish dummy mummies need consciences pricked

Adele Horin Living in a suburb with lots of white, middle-class, educated mothers may be putting your child's health at risk. In such salubrious surroundings can be found dangerous concentrations of vaccine-resisters. These are women who spend too many hours on wacky internet health sites and become convinced immunisation is a giant conspiracy.

Australians and asthma

Dr Anna Pham Asthma is a significant health problem in Australia, affects one in four children and one in ten adults. What is asthma and what can be done to help asthmatic children and adults in the home?

Poisons and kids: the story in Australia

Kidsafe Each year, almost 3000 children present to hospital emergency departments around the country as a result of unintentional poisoning, and the Poisons Information Centre receives 140,000 calls from concerned parents around Australia.

Kids and treadmills a dangerous mix

It's a popular form of exercise equipment but the home treadmill now comes with a warning that it can pose a serious danger to young children.

Care for children begins before birth

Julie Robotham Regular assessments to ensure the health of children would begin before birth and continue until age eight, under a proposal to create the first national program for early childhood health.

No, it's not big bones

Jill Stark Parents are in denial about their obese children, with research revealing almost half of those who have overweight children are unaware they are fat.

The juggle blog

Sugar, sugar, how I love you...

A tantrum over a treat forces Mia Freedman to question how much sugar her daughter is eating. And the answer isn’t pretty.

Early insight into autism

Sherril Nixon Children are being diagnosed with autism before their second birthday in a breakthrough trial that identified crucial developmental delays.

I can hear you now, Mummy

Deaf Children Australia The day I brought Estelle home from the hospital, I whispered into her tiny ears, “Welcome to your new home. I love you.” Little did I know she couldn’t hear me. I would sing her lullabies just as I had to my two older boys but something wasn’t right.