STAYING FOCUSED, INFORMED AND HOPEFUL pot

A ctress, author, activist andphilanthropist Holly Robinson Peete visited the National Black Child Development Institute’s 40th anniversary conference in Anaheim, CA this past November t

Holly Robinson Peete:

Her Family's Journey

with Autism

A Community

That Gets It:

On the Ground in…

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

What’s In Season

for Winter

Talking with kids about

the economy, money &

unemployment

Between The Covers:

Culturally Responsive

Literature for Young

Hands and Minds

Recipe: Taco Soup

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A ctress, author, activist and

philanthropist Holly Robinson

Peete visited the National Black

Child Development Institute’s 40th

anniversary conference in Anaheim, CA

this past November to talk about her

family’s journey with autism With grace

and humor, Robinson Peete engaged the

audience of over 600 people in a

presentation and discussion about how

her family has come together since her son R.J.’s

diagnosis of autism more than 10 years ago.

It wasn’t – and isn’t – easy Robinson Peete spoke

candidly about the initial denial that she and her

husband, Rodney Peete, a former NFL football player,

experienced upon hearing the diagnosis, and the toll it

had taken on their marriage She spoke about the

challenges of R.J.’s non-verbal years and the difficulty of

navigating social relationships But more than despair,

Robinson Peete focused on the hope and optimism with

which their family approached this journey and the

supportive network they have formed for R.J.

His twin sister, Ryan, for example, co-wrote a book

entitled “My Brother Charlie,” to share the sibling’s perspective, and because, as Robinson Peete noted, “no such book existed for us in 1999.” Ryan and her mom, however, aren’t the only authors in the family Rodney Peete also wrote a book called

“Not My Boy,” to help share the often-overlooked father’s perspective, and the challenges that come with learning

to change “the idea of who you thought you were going

to have for a son.”

Inspirational though it was to hear her story, Robinson

Peete’s presentation went beyond her family As she

noted, 1 in 110 children in America will be diagnosed

with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) this year – which includes 1 in 70 boys.

Indeed, more children are diagnosed with autism than AIDS, juvenile diabetes and cancer combined And in a situation where early intervention is key to successful treatment, African American children are diagnosed, on average, 2-5 years later than children of other races.

Do you have questions about autism?

There are many resources out there to help.

Information from the Centers for Disease Control &

Prevention (CDC) tells us that autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) affect each person in different ways People with ASDs share some similar symptoms, such as difficulties with social interaction, but there are differences in when the symptoms start, how severe they are, and the exact nature of the symptoms.

If you are concerned about your child, or about a child that you work with, here are some “red flags” that a person with an ASD might display:

• Not respond to their name by 12 months of age

• Not point at objects to show interest (point at an airplane flying over) by 14 months

• Not play “pretend” games (pretend to “feed” a doll)

by 18 months

• Avoid eye contact and want to be alone

• Have trouble understanding other people's feelings or talking about their own feelings

• Have delayed speech and language skills

• Repeat words or phrases over and over (echolalia)

• Give unrelated answers to questions

• Get upset by minor changes

• Have obsessive interests

• Flap their hands, rock their body, or spin in circles

• Have unusual reactions to the way things sound, smell, taste, look, or feel

continued on page 4

STAYING FOCUSED,

INFORMED AND HOPEFUL

Holly Robinson Peete Speaks About Autism

in Her Family, and In America

If you notice any of these symptoms, contact your child’s doctor, and share your concerns If you or the doctor is still concerned, ask the doctor for a referral to a specialist who can do a more in-depth evaluation of your child, such as:

• Developmental Pediatricians (doctors who have special training in child development and children with special needs)

• Child Neurologists (doctors who work on the brain, spine, and nerves)

• Child Psychologists or Psychiatrists (doctors who know about the human mind)

At the same time, call your state’s public early childhood system to request a free evaluation to find out if your child qualifies for intervention services You do not need

to wait for a doctor’s referral to make this call.

• If your child is not yet 3 years old, contact your local early intervention system, which you can find by calling the National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities (NICHCY) at

1-800-695-0285 or by visiting www.nichcy.org.

• If your child is 3 years old or older, contact your local public school system and ask to speak with someone who can help you have your child evaluated.

Resources

There is some conflicting and confusing information about autism and its causes NBCDI, in keeping with decades of scientific evidence, does not believe that there

is a link between autism and vaccination, but we have included links to organizations that come from a range of different positions and perspectives:

HollyRod Foundation

http://www.hollyrod.org/

CDC – Autism Spectrum Disorder

http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/index.html

Autism Science Foundation

http://www.autismsciencefoundation.org/

Autism Speaks

www.autismspeaks.org

Autism Society of America

www.autism-society.org 

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Staying Focused, Informed and Hopeful continued from page 3

A t the heart of Milwaukee’s central city lies

Metcalfe Park, where over 60 percent of families

live below the poverty line Here,

African-American children and families experience

overwhelmingly poor health outcomes, with the greatest

health disparities compared to any other community in

the Milwaukee area Faced with these obstacles, Metcalfe

Park community members have decided to take their health into their own hands, reaching out to several core partners for support, including the Black Child

Development Institute-Milwaukee, the Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, and the Next Door Foundation.

Founded over 40 years ago, the Next Door Foundation serves more than 2,150 children, youth and parents each

year through a range of early childhood education, after-school, parenting, home-visiting, adult education, literacy and health programs The Next Door Foundation is committed to the idea that “a child who isn’t healthy can’t learn,” which has led the organization to develop a strong partnership with the Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin.

Since 1998, the hospital has provided an on-site medical care facility which works to improve the health of the children in the Metcalfe community.

In October 2010, construction began on a new, 7,700 square foot clinic located on the Next Door Foundation’s campus, which will significantly expand and improve current medical facilities – while also providing a promising solution to the extreme scarcity of dentists in the area Data demonstrates that of the 111,000 Medicaid eligible children in Milwaukee County, only 21,000 have received even one dental exam Oral health is an extremely important and valuable piece of overall health; in fact, dental decay is the most chronic common infectious disease among low income children – five times more common than asthma! Because chronic dental pain interferes with eating, sleeping and school performance, addressing children’s dental health needs is part of the Next Door Foundation’s integrated strategy to ensure that children are healthy and have the opportunity

to be successful in school and in life.

On The Ground In…

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN

continued on page 6

A COMMUNITY THAT GETS IT

Nutrition and healthy eating is also a

critical part of the Next Door Foundation’s

strategies for working with young children

and families The Foundation recently

hired a Nutrition Manager who will be

responsible for planning meals and snacks

using fresh vegetables, fruits and whole

grains, while working with parents to

implement good nutrition habits at home.

Luckily, he’ll have help from

BCDI-Milwaukee, which has partnered with the

Next Door Foundation to encourage

healthy nutrition practices specifically

among African-American families with

young children.

Through the support of the Wal-Mart

Foundation, NBCDI is developing a training

DVD for a healthy living preschool

curriculum based on Head Start’s “I am Moving, I am

Learning” program “My Little World, Vol 1 – A Day In

Pre School” is a music-based educational tool designed to

engage children and early care educators in activities that provide academic enrichment, cultural diversity and physical activity Preschool teachers at the Next Door Foundation will be trained to implement this program with their students, and BCDI-Milwaukee will support those efforts by hosting two parent engagement events focused on helping parents learn how to choose healthy foods, manage their time and promote physical activity Wanda Montgomery, President of BCDI-Milwaukee says, “BCDI-Milwaukee is excited about the opportunity

to partner with Next Door Foundation and Walmart to impact the health and fitness of African American children and their families through this project.” Working together, community partners in the Metcalfe community are showing how to move towards a safer, healthier and stronger community for the kids and families who need it most.

For more information about the Next Door Foundation, please visit their website at www.nextdoormil.org or contact Sunny Peete at Speete@nextdoormil.org To learn more about BCDI-Milwaukee, email Carmen Ray

at Carmenray@msn.com or call (414) 841-4464. 

“On the Ground In…” is a new feature in Child Health Talk that will focus on programs making a difference in improving the health of our children and families in communities across America To nominate a program that is achieving great outcomes

in your neighborhood or city, please call (202) 833-2220 or email moreinfo@nbcdi.org, subject line “On the Ground.”

A Community That Gets It: On the Ground in…Milwaukee, Wisconsin, continued from page 5

H ere are some of the fruits and vegetables

that will be in season this Winter.

Although most farmers’ markets are

finished for the year, you can still find fresh fruits

and vegetables to bring to your table And when

you can’t find them fresh at your grocery store, feel

free to use canned or frozen fruits and vegetables

that you can pick up at your corner stores.

Let your child help you prepare the food for your

family – they can mix, stir and measure, which helps

builds their skills in math You can also talk with

them while you’re getting dinner ready – that helps

build their literacy skills This way, you’ll be feeding

their minds and their bodies!

Happy healthy eating! 

Beets Bright-red beets are sometimes called “nature’s candy.” Cut off the ends, and you can boil or

roast them and eat them plain or in a salad with other vegetables

Belgian Endive A little tangy, endives should be smooth and white, with little yellow tips at the end They are

excellent when braised, in soups, and added to salads

Broccoli You can eat broccoli year round, but it’s best during winter Steam, roast, or sauté these “little

trees” – and feel free to add a little bit of cheese at the end

Brussels Sprouts You may think you hate Brussels sprouts, but try them roasted in the oven with garlic and olive oil

and you might just change your mind!

Cabbage There’s no better time than winter time to eat your greens! They grow best in cooler climates,

so make them like your mother did – or maybe try a new way

Carrots Always good raw or chopped up in a salad, carrots can also be cooked plain or with ginger or

horseradish to spice them up They’re good for your heart and your eyes!

Cauliflower It might sound crazy, but mashed cauliflower is a great and healthy substitute for mashed potatoes

Make it the same way, and your family will be sure to enjoy!

Clementines Clementines are small oranges – very sweet, usually seedless, and easy to eat They’re only

available during the winter, so grab a box and enjoy ‘em while you can

Grapefruit Grapefruit makes for a great snack or part of a healthy breakfast If you remove the white stuff

under the skin, they’re actually sweet – not sour at all!

Kale Kale is one of the world’s healthiest vegetables – as long as you cook it right! Just sauté the kale

with onions and garlic and then add a little broth for tenderness Easy!

Persimmon Delicious, but not well-known, this fruit is available only in winter It looks like a tomato & comes

in Fuyu & Hachiya varieties Cut out the core & seeds to eat it raw!

Winter Squash There are hundreds of ways to eat winter squash – which includes acorn & butternut squash

You can mash them, roast them, bake them or make them into soup – enjoy!

What’s In Season for Winter?

T he holidays have passed, but that doesn’t mean

that tough financial times are over Nationally, unemployment is hovering around 9.8 percent – but in the black community, unemployment rates are

closer to 16 percent, and are even higher for black men.

If you or a family member is out of a job, it can be hard to

know whether to talk with your kids about your situation,

or what to say when you do The fact that you’re worried,

stressed and tired doesn’t make it any easier.

But your kids are feeling that stress too, whether or not

they know exactly what’s going on And while you don’t

have to give them all the details, it is important to talk

with them, in ways that are appropriate for their age.

Here are a few ideas to help you deal with the subject of

the economy, money and unemployment in your family:1

Be Open

Kids know more than you think they do They might have heard you talking on the phone, or they’re finding things out from their friends Before you tell them what you think they need to hear, find out what they already know You might say, “There’s been a lot of talk about jobs and money lately Is anyone at school talking about that? What do they say? Do you have any questions for me?”

If they do have questions, Diane Levin, Ph.D., professor of education at Wheelock College, suggests that you do your best to explain clearly, honestly and simply the impact of the economy or your job loss on your family, focusing on the listening to the concerns they raise.

“HOW COME YOU DON’T HAVE A JOB?”

Talking with kids about the economy,

money & unemployment

Make Age-Appropriate Explanations

All kids need to be reassured that they are safe and

supported, but there are different ways to talk about the

economy for different ages Here are some options:

• Ages 0-4

Very young children aren’t ready for detailed

explanations, but they do need other forms of

reassurance, especially if they detect stress and

anxiety at home Extra hugs and attention can make

even the youngest feel more secure in tough times.

• Ages 5-9

Children this age can’t put the pieces of a problem

together, so it’s especially important to give them

step-by-step explanations of any changes For example,

“Mom (or Dad) lost her job because they didn’t have

enough money to pay me anymore, but I am working

hard to find a new one We may need to make some

changes, but you will still go to the same school and

sleep in your own bed and keep your toys.”

• Ages 10-13

Older children are more aware of the news and ready

for more details, but not so many that you create

unnecessary anxiety Be positive but realistic in your

explanations For example, “You’ve seen the news

about the economic problems in our town and across

the country I’m working very hard to get us through

this, so I may have to work some extra hours at the

office, which means you’re going to have to help out

more too We’re all in this together.”

Watch Your Words

Children are quick to overhear and misunderstand

statements like “We’re going to the poor house,” or “I

spent my last dime on that car repair,” so watch what you

say around them If you need to spend less, move to

another house or apartment, or change your hours, be

very specific about what it will mean for your family.

Include Your Children

While you shouldn’t put added stress on children, you should enlist them as helpers in saving money Doing so will give them a measure of control and help to relieve anxiety Here’s how:

• Let them clip coupons for frequently-purchased grocery items or ask them to research local trips in place of a more elaborate vacation.

• Encourage them to make a list of things they can do

to save money, like recycling drawing paper or drinking water instead of more expensive sports drinks or juice boxes.

• Ask them to collect rarely-used toys and other household items for a garage sale.

• Remind them to borrow books and movies from the public library rather than purchasing them at a book

or video store.

Small gestures will make them feel more in control and part of the solution for their family.

Maintain a Routine

If you do need to move to a smaller home, sell your car,

or make other financial adjustments, do your best to maintain your child’s regular routine, including mealtimes and bed times.

You also might want to set up a regular time to connect with your child Try to set aside 30 minutes each day to play a game, read stories, go to the playground, or eat a meal together This will help you to see when your child

is stressed out, and will help you all to stay connected.

It doesn’t cost anything – and may be just what you both need to face lean days ahead.

See Your Situation As An Opportunity

The silver lining in this economic crisis is the opportunity for families to reassess their values and reconsider what really matters Regardless of the impact the economy or your unemployment may have on your family finances, this

is an ideal time to talk to children about what you value.

As Michelle Singletary says, “Use this trying time to teach your children by example to recognize their limitations and that there is no shame in having financial limitations By discussing with them that money is tight, you are admitting that at times you can't do or get what you want You are teaching them you can't spend what you don’t have.”2

These are important, invaluable lessons for our children to learn – and for us, as adults, to remember. 

1 Adapted from PBS Parents Retrieved from: http://www.pbs.org/parents/special/

article-finance-makingsense.html

2 Singletary, Michelle “If Christmas Money’s Tight, Talk It Over.” Retrieved from:

http://finance.townhall.com/columnists/MichelleSingletary/2008/11/30/if_christmas_

moneys_tight,_talk_it_over/

BETWEEN THE COVERS

Ages 4-8

*Birtha, Becky, illustrator *Nicole Tadgell (2010), Lucky Beans, Albert Whitman & Company Beans were

the frequent source of food for Birtha’s family during the depression of the 1930s Birtha uses his

“bean” knowledge to estimate the number of beans in a jar and thus wins a sewing machine for his mother Ages: 4-8

*Bryan, Ashley (2010), All Things Bright and Beautiful,

Atheneum The beauty of nature and children worldwide

is depicted in this version of a famous seventeenth century hymn Ages: 4-8

Grigsby, Susan, illustrator *Nicole

Tadgell (2010), In the Garden with

Dr Carver, Albert Whitman &

Company Dr Carver’s visit to an Alabama elementary school in the early 1900s initiates today’s often heard lessons about planting and eating healthy foods Ages: 4-8

*Jordon Doloris, illustrator *James Ransome (2010),

Baby Blessing, Simon and Schuster The joy and love of

a family is expressed for their baby from his birth to his first day of school Birth - Age 6

Culturally Responsive Literature for Young Hands and Minds

Dr Toni S Walters Ph.D – Oakland University

Dr Vivian G Johnson, Ph.D – Marygrove College

Dr Jonella A Mongo Ph.D – Consultant Ashelin Currie – Doctoral Student – Oakland University

National Black Child Development

40th Conference with NAEYC

Anaheim, CA, November 4-6, 2010

T his issue of Child Health Talk features the 2010 bibliography from the

Between the Covers session at NBCDI’s 40th anniversary conference.

Between the Covers has appeared in NBCDI’s Child Health Talk for 10

years, with the purpose of highlighting and focusing on literature for children by

African American authors and illustrators As tradition has it, the conference

workshop bibliography shares information on books that have been published in

the past year.