For as long as Dorian Gibson, age 21, can remember, they didn’t feel particularly male or female. Eventually, Dorian, who uses they/them pronouns, found the term that best describes them: gender fluid. “I’m very gender fluid,” Dorian said. “Sometimes, I feel feminine. Sometimes, I feel masculine. Sometimes, I feel neither female nor male.” Dorian is […]
Experts agree minors are more likely to seek care with MyChart teen access
Safeguarding your child’s health is one of your most important duties as a parent. From the minute she enters this world, there are immunizations to track, well visits to schedule, milestones to monitor and illnesses to pamper. But as she grows up and enters adolescence, the way you and your child manage her health will […]
Preparing your daughter for her first gynecology visit
The idea of seeing a gynecologist or having a pelvic exam can make any young girl feel nervous, embarrassed or scared. But just like any other part of her body, it’s important to make sure it’s as healthy as it can be. “If something abnormal is going on and it’s worrying your daughter, explain the […]
Teens can find an array of legal substances to get high
Alcohol and marijuana are the most common mind-altering substances used by teens. But parents should be aware that illicit drugs and alcohol are not the only substances kids use to get high, said Dr. Crystal Cole of the Division of Adolescent Medicine at Akron Children’s Hospital. Teens have been known to abuse products you might […]
Smartphones and adolescent depression
More disturbing news arrived recently about the toxic effect of social media on adolescent mental health. Jean Twenge, a psychology professor at San Diego State, wrote in The Atlantic that her research, subject of a forthcoming book, finds teens are going out less, dating less and increasingly feel lonely and depressed. Entitled Have Smartphones Destroyed […]
Understanding the transgender child
*Editor’s Note: Akron Children’s Hospital is now seeing patients in its new Center for Gender Affirming Medicine: http://bit.ly/2Yk4E2U Children who don’t follow cultural gender norms often face a hostile world as they struggle to be who they are. Parents of transgender or gender nonconforming children struggle, too. They may be in denial, confused or dismayed […]
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