Kennedy Krieger In the News, 2021
(updated 4-7-2021)
The Washington Post: These Children Had COVID-19. Now, They Have Long Haul Symptoms, 3/18/21
The number of children with lingering COVID-19 symptoms is growing, and physicians explain what they know about this condition. Read the story.
CBS Baltmore: ‘I Just Want to Be Back to Normal,’ Maryland Teen Shares Her Struggles with Long Covid, 3/10/21
Chloe Devore describes her recovery from the symptoms of long COVID, as Dr. Laura Malone, a pediatric neurologist, explains how Kennedy Krieger is helping children with long COVID. Watch their interviews.
NBC Baltimore: Kennedy Krieger Institute Helps Kids in Need of Therapy after COVID-19 Diagnosis, 3/8/21
Dr. Amanda Morrow, rehabilitation physician, provides information about the Institute’s Pediatric Post-COVID-19 Clinic, and patient Chloe Devore shares her journey to recovery. Watch the story.
ARLNow: Arlington Family Raises $400K to Research Cure for Daughter’s Disease, 3/8/21
Twelve-year-old Ellie McGinn and her family led an effort to raise $400,000 for LBSL research at Kennedy Krieger’s Moser Center for Leukodystrophies. Read about their effort.
Fox Baltimore: Brain Injury Awareness Month, 3/6/21
March is Brain Injury Awareness Month, and Dr. Stacy Suskauer, director of the Center for Brain Injury Recovery, discusses the warning signs of a brain injury, prevention tips and ways that injuries are treated. Watch the interview.
The Daily Record: Kennedy Krieger Raises $400K for Moser Center, 3/4/21
A Cure for Ellie, a foundation focused on finding a cure for a rare disease known as LBSL, raised $400,000 for medical research at Kennedy Krieger’s Moser Center for Leukodystrophies. Read more.
Spectrum News: Black autism researchers weigh in on field’s past, future, 3/3/21
Dr. Constance Smith-Hicks, medical director for the Center for Autism and Related Disorders, recalls a career influence and shares her hopes for the next generation of researchers. Read her remarks.
NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt: Inside Clinic Studying Lingering Effects of COVID in Children, 3/2/21
Dr. Amanda Morrow, rehabilitation physician, discusses long COVID symptoms in children and the ways they are being treated at the Institute’s Pediatric Post-COVID-19 Clinic. Watch the story.
Fox Baltimore: Transitioning Students Back to School, 3/1/21
As many children return to the classroom for the first time since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, they may experience a range of emotions. Social worker Anna Ditkoff Dorsey explains how families can cope with this transition. Watch the interview.
The Business Monthly: Kennedy Krieger Gets Largest Single Contributions in Institute History, 2/15/21
Two modest but longtime supporters of Kennedy Krieger bequeathed a total of $6.6 million to the Institute, a reflection of a recent trend of women and giving. Read the story.
ABC Baltimore: Kennedy Krieger Receives $6.6 million in donations, 2/11/21
Two women who gave a total of $6.6 million to Kennedy Krieger after their deaths are highlighted in this story. Learn more.
Education Week: Should Schools Become Vaccination Sites for Everyone? 2/4/21
This article in Education Week examines the role that schools can play in public health— and the greater community. Dr. Harolyn Belcher, vice president, chief diversity officer, and director of the Office for Health, Equity, Inclusion and Diversity, weighs in on the issue. Read the article.
Fox Baltimore: Children’s Mental Health Week, 2/4/21
What are the ways the pandemic has affected the mental health of children and teens? Social worker Anna Ditkoff Dorsey shares some examples and provides tips for coping during an uncertain time. Here’s the interview.
Fox Baltimore: COVID-19 Vaccine Necessity for People with Disabilities, 1/30/21
Dr. S. Ali Fatemi, chief medical officer, explains why it is so important for people with disabilities, and those who care for them, receive a COVID-19 vaccination. Watch the interview.
NBC Baltimore: Baltimore Man with Autism Learns Broadcasting Skills through Kennedy Krieger Program, 1/24/21
John Good, a Project SEARCH intern, describes what it was like to create a podcast as part of a 10-month internship he completed at Kennedy Krieger. Hear what John has to say.
Fox Baltimore: Children and Mental Health in the New Year, 1/24/21
Dr. Carmen Lopez-Arvizu, medical director of the Psychiatric Mental Health Program, talks about the importance of mental health awareness for children and teens, and when a family needs to talk to a mental health professional. Here’s the interview.
NBC Baltimore: Isolation During Pandemic Particularly Tough for Children, Teens, 1/17/21
Dr. Rashida Barner, psychologist, shares ways that parents can help ease their children’s anxiety during the pandemic. Watch the interview.
CBS Baltimore: People with Disabilities Face Greater COVID Risks, 1/12/21
Dr. Bradley Schlaggar, president and CEO, discusses how people with intellectual and developmental disabilities have been affected by COVID-19. Find out more.
Afro: Kennedy Krieger Creates Winter Wonderland, 12/24/20
Kennedy Krieger staff created a special light garden to bring cheer to patients in their Pediatric Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit. Here’s the story.
Spectrum News: Co-Occurring Psychiatric Conditions Put Autistic People at Risk for Self-Harm, 12/11/2020
Autistic people are at greater risk for self-harm and suicide, but a new study says that often is because of underlying psychiatric conditions, such as anxiety, depression or schizophrenia. Dr. Paul Lipkin, director of medical outpatient services, explains to readers what that means. Read the story here.
WYPR FM: The Puzzle of Lingering Covid Symptoms, 12/10/2020
Dr. Melissa Trovato, director of rehabilitation, discusses symptoms of long Covid in children and shares information about Kennedy Krieger’s Pediatric Post COVID-19 Rehabilitation Clinic. Find out more.
JAMA Pediatrics: COVID-19 Pandemic Health Disparities and Pediatric Health Care—The Promise of Telehealth, 12/7/2020
In this opinion piece, Dr. Deepa Menon and Dr. Harolyn Belcher make the point that telehealth is one way to bridge disparities in the health care offered to children across the country.
CBS Baltimore: Festival of Trees Raises Festival of Trees Raises Over $650K For Kennedy Krieger Programs, 12/2/2020
Kennedy Krieger transformed its iconic holiday celebration, Festival of Trees, into a three-day virtual celebration this year and raised more than $650,000. Watch the segment.
Baltimore Sun: Columbia Family Pitches In to Help Kennedy Krieger Festival of Trees, 11/26/2020
Jennifer Whiddon, the mother of a former Kennedy Krieger patient, discusses how she become involved in Festival of Trees and how she made her baseball-themed wreaths for this year’s event. Read what she has to say.
Frederick News-Post: Trees of Hope: Linganore High Teachers Design Christmas Tree for Kennedy Krieger Festival of Trees, 11/25/2020
Two Linganore High School teachers continue a years-long tradition of designing a tree for Festival of Trees, highlighting the event’s reach across the state. Here’s their story.
WLIF FM: The Spotlight On Maryland Is on Kennedy Krieger Institute, 11/23/2020
Linda Schaefer Cameron, vice president of philanthropy, discusses the ways that Kennedy Krieger continues to serve patients in 2020 and what Festival of Trees will be like this year. Listen to the story.
98 Rock FM: Kennedy Krieger Festival of Trees, 11/20/2020
Michele Mueller, director of special events, explains how Kennedy Krieger staff transformed its iconic event, Festival of Trees, into a safe and family-friendly virtual event. Listen to her remarks.
Baltimore’s Child: Understanding Depression and Disability in Children, 11/17/2020
Dr. Carmen López-Arvizu, medical director of Kennedy Krieger Institute’s psychiatric mental health program, discusses the risk of depression in adolescents with disabilities. Learn more here.
The New York Times: At 12, She’s a Covid ‘Long Hauler,’ 10/22/2020
Physicians now understand that “long Covid,” or lingering physical ailments after a bout of Covid-19, also can affect children. Here, Dr. Melissa Trovato, director of rehabilitation, talks about the ways that Covid-19 can continue to impact a child’s life and shares information about Kennedy Krieger’s post-Covid-19 rehabilitation clinic. Read the story.
Fox Baltimore: National Disability Employment Awareness Month, 10/18/2020
October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month and Stacey Herman, director of post-secondary services, discusses its significance, particularly this year. Watch her interview.
NBC Baltimore: Discussing National Bullying Prevention Month with An Expert, 10/4/2020
Even with remote learning, bullying can happen, according to Dr. Rashida Barner, a psychologist at Kennedy Krieger. Dr. Barner explains what bullying looks like online and how it can be prevented. Learn more.
PSYCOM: Tell Me All I Need to Know About LGBTQ+ Youth and Suicide, 9/30/2020
Teens are a stressed group, says psychologist Dr. Kathryn Van Eck, and this is particularly true for LGBTQ+ youth, who can be at greater risk for suicide. She offers both tips and resources for teens and their parents. Read the story.
Fox Baltimore: Hats and Horses, 9/22/2020
Hats and Horses went online this year for a virtually good time and a successful night of fundraising for the International Center for Spinal Cord Injury. Watch the segment.
CBS Baltimore: Kennedy Krieger Institute Helps Patients Fight Sickle Cell Anemia, 9/21/2020
Dr. Eboni Lance, the medical director at Kennedy Krieger’s neuro-developmental clinic, discusses what sickle cell anemia is and how it affects children. Watch the segment.
Fox Baltimore: Covid-19 and Mental Health, 9/20/2020
Dr. Luke Kalb discusses the ways the coronavirus pandemic has affected mental health and what kids and parents can do about that. Find out more
Baltimore Business Journal: Kennedy Krieger Opens Spinal Cord Injury Center in Howard County, 9/15/2020
Kennedy Krieger opened a second location of its International Center for Spinal Cord Injury. This one, in Maple Lawn, extends the center’s reach into Howard County and the DMV, where the institute has many patients. Here’s more on the center.
WYPR-FM: Suicide: What to Watch For in Young People, 9/10/2020
Dr. Carmen Lopez-Arvizu, medical director of Kennedy Krieger Institute’s psychiatric mental health program, describes the warning signs for suicide that parents can watch for in children. Listen here for her insights.
CBS Baltimore: Pre-Kindergarten Program for Children with Special Needs Makes Changes to Allow for In-Person Learning, 8/25/2020
Here’s a look at PACT’s Pre-K program, a full-day preschool for children with medical conditions that require daily nursing care and or who have developmental disabilities who require multiple therapies. Like so many programs, its administrators have adapted with the pandemic. Watch the story.
NBC Baltimore: CDC Warns Parents about AFM; Here’s What to Watch For, 8/6/2020
Kennedy Krieger Institute physicians and staff have treated the majority of U.S. children diagnosed with acute flaccid myelitis. Dr. Michelle Melicosta, medical director for the inpatient rehabilitation unit, explains the rare illness and what physicians know about it today. Here’s the segment.
Children’s Hospitals Today: Caring for Kids After Covid-19, 8/4/2020
In early July, Kennedy Krieger Institute launched a COVID-19 rehabilitation clinic to help kids with continued symptoms. The clinic includes occupational and physical therapy, speech-language pathology, behavioral health and assistive technology. Find out more.
Carroll County Times: New Windsor Infant with Cerebral Palsy Seeing Positive Results with Telehealth Occupational Therapy, 7/17/2020
Meet Natalie, a 10-month-old Carroll County resident who receives occupational therapy through Kennedy Krieger’s telehealth services. Natalie’s mother, Crystal Dorsey, shares what that experience is like and how her daughter has progressed. Read the story.
FOX 45: Summer Safety Tips: Concussion, 5/30/2020
Dr. Stacy Suskauer, co-director of the Center for Brain Injury Recovery and director of the Brain Clinical Research Center, explains the symptoms of a concussion and what a parent should do if their child has a concussion. Learn more.
CBS Baltimore: Kennedy Krieger Receives Nearly $1 Million Grant to Expand Telehealth Services, 5/19/2020
A nearly $1 million grant from the Federal Communications Commission will help Kennedy Krieger provide much-needed therapies and other treatment to the institute’s patients during the pandemic. Watch the story.
ABC Baltimore: Children on the Autism Spectrum Cope with the New Normal of a Pandemic, 5/11/2020
The coronavirus pandemic has impacted everyone’s day-to-day routines. Dr. Daniel Hoover, a clinical child and adolescent psychologist at Kennedy Krieger’s Center for Child and Family Traumatic Stress, discusses how children with autism have reacted to these changes and how parents can help them adapt. Watch the segment.
Baltimore Sun: Distance Learning Can and Does Work for Special Education Students and Their Families, 5/8/2020
In this commentary featured in the Baltimore Sun, Dr. Bradley Schlaggar, president and CEO, and Dr. Nancy Grasmick, board chair, highlight the way that remote education can meet the educational needs of children with disabilities. Read their arguments.
CBS Washington D.C.: Managing Through a Pandemic When Your Child Has Autism, 4/22/2020
April is Autism Awareness Month, and Dr. Daniel Hoover, a clinical child and adolescent psychologist at Kennedy Krieger’s Center for Child and Family Traumatic Stress, provided tips on handing the coronavirus pandemic when your child has autism. Here’s the segment.
NBC Baltimore: Those with Intellectual Disabilities Coping with Change During Stay-Home Order, 4/21/2020
There are multiple ways that people with intellectual disabilities are coping during the coronavirus pandemic. Oscar Martinez, a Project SEARCH intern, shares what life has been like for him. Here’s what he says.
Washington AFRO: COVID-19: What We Must Do for Ourselves and What We Must Do for Others, 4/15/2020
Dr. Harolyn Belcher, chief diversity officer and director of the Office for Health, Equity, Inclusion and Diversity, advocates for the ways that members of the Black community can care for themselves during the coronavirus pandemic. Read her commentary.
NBC Baltimore: Helping Children with Intellectual Disabilities Understand Coronavirus, 4/11/2020
How do parents of children with intellectual disabilities explain the coronavirus to them? Dr. Daniel Hoover, a clinical child and adolescent psychologist at Kennedy Krieger’s Center for Child and Family Traumatic Stress, offers these insights. Watch the segment.
CBS Baltimore: Young Girl with Rare Brain Disorder Helps Raise $450K for Kennedy Krieger Institute, 2/28/2020
In honor of Rare Disease Day, an inspiring 11-year-old from Virginia named Ellie McGinn helps to raise $450,000 for research efforts at Kennedy Krieger. Find out more.
Spectrum News: How Abuse Mars the Lives of Autistic People, 2/5/2020
Children with autism face more bullying than their peers, according to research from Dr. Daniel Hoover, a clinical child and adolescent psychologist at Kennedy Krieger’s Center for Child and Family Traumatic Stress. In this comprehensive feature, Dr. Hoover and other experts discuss how prevalent bullying is. Read the story.
Baltimore Sun: Baltimore Violence: ‘Hope and Opportunity’ Can End It, 1/10/2020
In this commentary, Dr. Joan Kaufman, director of research of the Center for Child and Family Traumatic Stress, considers ways to reduce the high rates of childhood adversity in cities such as Baltimore. Read her suggestions here.
WBFF-TV: Summer Safety for Kids
Dr. Stacy Suskauer, co-director of Kennedy Krieger’s Center for Brain Injury Recovery, discusses drowning and brain injury prevention, and how parents can help keep their children safe. Watch the segment.
The New York Times: What Should I Do if I Think My Child Has Autism?
Dr. Rebecca Landa is featured and discusses how autism spectrum disorder affects about one in 54 children. An early diagnosis can mean quicker access to the medical, behavioral and social services that a child may need. Read the full article.
The Baltimore Sun: Telehealth and its easier access to medical care should be here to stay
Joanna Burton, neurodevelopmental pediatrician, Jennifer Crockett, director of training of behavioral psychology and Jacqueline Stone, director of clinical programs, authored an op-ed piece in The Baltimore Sun about the importance of telehealth and tele-education services and accessible care for all. Learn more.
CBS Baltimore: Kennedy Krieger Joins Largest Genetic Study Into Autism; Researchers Looking for Families to Participate
Ericka Wodka, a neuropsychologist at the Center for Autism and Related Disorders at Kennedy Krieger, talks to CBS Baltimore about the Institute's participation in SPARK, the largest genetic study of autism in history that aims to help better specialize the treatment and medical care for individuals with autism. Learn more.
FOX Baltimore: Brain Injury Awareness Month
Dr. Stacy Suskauer, co-director of Kennedy Krieger’s Center for Brain Injury Recovery, shares what parents can do to prevent brain injuries this sports season as we mark Brain Injury Awareness Month. Learn more.
WBAL-TV 11: Couple donates thousands of shoes to children with special needs in memory of their son
In honor of what would have been their son, Xavier’s, 10th birthday, a Maryland family donated more than 1,700 pairs of shoes and socks to benefit children with special needs at Kennedy Krieger. Watch their story.
Reuters: More U.S. youth seeking help during psychiatric emergencies
The number of young people visiting U.S. emergency rooms with psychiatric problems is rising, driven largely by a surge in teens and minority youth seeking urgent help for mental illnesses, a new study led by Dr. Luke Kalb suggests. Read more.
ABC Nightline: Doctors race to find out more about polio-like disorder AFM before next wave of illnesses
Four-year-old Camdyn Carr began the fight of his life two months ago at Kennedy Krieger Institute, where he was first diagnosed with acute flaccid myelitis (AFM). The Carr family have remained steady in the battle as their child’s body fights a modern day medical mystery that left him mostly paralyzed and nearly killed him. Read Camdyn’s story.
The Baltimore Sun: After a rare disease partially paralyzed a Taneytown boy, his family shares his story to help others
Diagnosed with acute flaccid myelitis, a polio-like illness that can bring on sudden paralysis in children, Elijah went from what seemed like a bad cold in late September, to being unable to move is right arm, sit up or lift his head by October. Read how our experts are helping Eli.
The Jewish Times: At 73, Influential Lainy Lebow-Sachs Retires
For the past few years, a rare polio-like illness has been striking otherwise healthy children, often after a mild respiratory illness or fever. Cases of acute flaccid myelitis, or AFM, reached record-high numbers in 2018. Follow the rehabilitation journeys of three children and hear from experts at Kennedy Krieger Institute.
Read the article
PBS News Hour: Racing to understand the polio-like illness paralyzing kids
For the past few years, a rare polio-like illness has been striking otherwise healthy children, often after a mild respiratory illness or fever. Cases of acute flaccid myelitis, or AFM, reached record-high numbers in 2018. Follow the rehabilitation journeys of three children and hear from experts at Kennedy Krieger Institute.
Watch the video
Science Magazine: Johns Hopkins Medicine & Kennedy Krieger named certified Mitochondrial Medicine Center
Serving as the Center’s Clinical Director, Dr. Hilary Vernon believes the new Mitochondrial Medicine Center – part of the Mitochondrial Care Network – will further the Institute’s mission to offer state-of-the-art medical care to patients and families who are living with Mitochondrial disorders.
Read the article
Baltimore Sun: Paralympic athlete Tatyana McFadden presents Kennedy Krieger trainers with Order of Ikkos Medical
More than two decades after her adoption from a Russian orphanage, Tatyana McFadden, 29, is a Paralympic athlete in wheelchair racing and the winner of seven gold medals. She credits much of her success to two trainers and the co-founders of Kennedy Krieger’s Physically Challenged Sports and Recreation Program, the Bennett Blazers.
Read the article
JMore: Making Headway
In the October issue of JMore, Dr. Suskauer and Dr. Slomine share their experience leading Kennedy Krieger’s Center for Brain Injury Recovery.
Read the article
Spectrum: The Hidden Danger of Suicide in Autism
Drs. Paul Lipkin and Roma Vasa discuss risks and solutions for suicidal ideation unique to individuals with autism.
Read article
NBC Nightly News: ADHD a biological condition, not just behavioral, new research shows
Dr. Mark Mahone discusses research findings that reveal ADHD is a biological condition.
Watch video
The Hechinger Report: We’ve got to train special education teachers to be leaders as well as educators
Nancy Grasmick discusses the importance of training teachers so they are able to teach all of their students, including those with disabilities.
Read article
U.S. News & World Report: A Child with ADHD Likely to Have Additional Behavioral Issues, Anxiety
Dr. E. Mark Mahone discusses some of the most common comorbid conditions with ADHD and the importance of early intervention. Read article
WJZ-TV: Kennedy Krieger Aquatic Therapy Helps Patients with Spinal Cord Injuries
Rachel Mertins, a physical therapist at the International Center for Spinal Cord Injury, discusses the benefits of aquatic therapy.
Watch video
WBFF-TV: Brain and Spine Injury Awareness
Kennedy Krieger's own Rebecca Martin and Dr. Stacy Suskauer discuss the importance of safety measures for avoiding brain and spinal cord injuries.
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WJZ-TV: Baltimore Toddler Recovering From Pediatric Stroke
WJZ-TV talks to Dr. Frank Pidcock to learn more about how Kennedy Krieger patient Brooke Wolcott is recovering from a stroke that left her unable to move her left side.
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U.S. News & World Report: Are Brains Different for Kids Who Have ADHD?
Dr. E. Mark Mahone offers expertise on the neuroscience of ADHD.
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The Huffington Post: Prevention is Key to Reduce Spring Concussion Spike
Dr. Stacy Suskauer offers expertise on the seasonal increase in brain injury seen during the spring.
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BBC Two: Life Now with Half a Brain
Dr. Amy Bastian, Chief Scientific Officer, discusses the brain and its plasticity in this BBC Two segment about Jody Graves, a former Kennedy Krieger patient who had half of her brain removed when she was three-years-old.
Watch
WBAL-TV: Stimulating Brain Can Speed Up Concussion Recovery, Doctor Says
Dr. Stacy Suskauer discusses how concussion treatment is changing as more is learned about the way young brains heal.
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WBAL-TV: Bennett Blazers Blaze Path for Athletes with Special Needs
Kennedy Krieger’s Bennett Blazers offers kids a sports program and Olive and Willow show there is nothing they can’t do.
Watch video
Baltimore's Child: Teaching Kids – and Adults - the ABC’s of Affection
Dr. Rebecca Landa and Dr. Kiely Law discuss the challenge that children with special needs have in learning how to give and receive affection at appropriate times.
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Washington Post: To get your kids to listen to you, try writing it all down
Expert from our Center for Autism and Related Disorders talks about why visual aids work.
Read complete article