Services

Hearing Vision

Hearing Testing: We currently can test your child’s hearing two ways. We use an OAE device (Oto-Acoustic-Emissions) that tests electronically how the ear system hears as well as a pure tone and/or voice tone machine to manually test the hearing. In the event of failure with one method, we usually will confirm with the alternative hearing testing.

Vision: We test your child’s vision either using a SNELLEN chart, or a Titmus testing device to get a rough idea of vision. For those under ten (10) years of age, we also test for amblyopia using a VEP computerized screening method (Visual Evoked Potential). This helps us pick up severe myopia in the infant or toddler, or a major difference in vision between the two eyes.

Nutritional

Dr Feinstein is a Diplomat of the American Board of Bariatric Physicians, specializing in weight loss management. He is certified by the ABBP to treat obesity, and all of its complications relating to being overweight. Both Maria Murry, our Nutritionist and Dr. Feinstein work together to help our patients to get on track towards a healthier lifestyle. Please feel free to ask any question, and contact us at bariatrics@kids-care.com.

We are enrolling only those patients who have a strong desire to change their lifestyles. Weight Loss requires hard work, anchored with family support.
If you and/or your child are ready to make a commitment, we are here to help!
First, you must discuss with your child the benefits of losing weight, and developing a healthy lifestyle. When both your child, and the whole family desire the change, then we are ready to help.

Our program requires everyone to participate in the medical, nutritional and exercise aspects of the program. No exceptions. When you are ready to make the commitment, Our approach involves the following:

Initial Consultation
Understanding about being overweight
Medical Evaluation
Nutritional Guidance
Exercise Programs
Behavioral Counseling

Take your BMI (calculated from above), and plot it on this graph. If your child is over the 85th percentile, then they are considered overweight, and at risk of medical complications relating to weight.

There are multiple reasons for this. As we see and read daily on TV and magazines, the medical problems resulting from obesity are catastrophic. It is estimated that almost 40% of children who are overweight will have present medical troubles directly related to their weight. By taking charge now, you can lower your child's risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, etc; and at the same time, give your child confidence that will improve his school and social relationships.

The medical evaluation at Kids Care is somewhat different than the general physical you receive for the annual assessment. We look more specifically at the issues that being overweight and obese can cause, with focused physical, and laboratory evaluations.
Some of the specific areas we explore will be Thyroid function, cardiac functions, cholesterol metabolism, sugar and insulin relationships, and hormonal balances in females.

In the event that there are problems in any of these areas, we will discuss further investigations.
After the medical and laboratory evaluation is complete, you will then be advanced to the next step.

Nutritional support is the mainstay of any weight loss and maintenance program. You will meet in consultation with our Nutritionist, Maria Murray, RD, C.D.N.; to discuss your current status, and then together, a nutritional plan will be created. Diet plans can include complete meal replacements, partial meal replacements, high protein/low calorie plans, low and very low calorie plans, as well as maintenance strategies. All of these approaches will be customized for your needs.

You are now ready for the next step in the program.

Your Exercise Program

You cannot lose it and keep it off unless you move it more. That is why we believe in the using it to lose it© plan. Exercise should not be a chore, but become a part of your lifestyle. Walking is the safest as well as highly effective in getting you started towards a healthy lifestyle. You don't need expensive equipment, or costly enrollment fees.

Walking. You don't need to buy expensive equipment, or join a gym. We will start you with just walking!! Brisk walking, for at least 30-45 minutes a few times a week helps:

keep your metabolic rate up
increase your cardiovascular fitness
increase your body’s ability to use insulin
lower your glucose level
lower your cholesterol
raise your good cholesterols (HDL)
helps you keep the weight off
to make you FEEL BETTER!

Behavioral Support

Since you have decided to make long term lifestyle changes, we feel that additional support and counseling is beneficial to keep you focused. You may be asked to consult with a counselor as an adjunct to this program. More information will be offered after the initial evaluation.

Please call the office to set up an initial consultation. Click here for office information

Sports/School/Annual Physicals

One of the most important visits your child makes with us is the yearly physical examination. This is the core of pediatrics, extremely essential in that it gives us an opportunity to update what is going on with your child. Growth, development, social issues, mental issues, pubertal progress, etc., are all part of the process. Part of the yearly exam includes:

A physical examination of all body systems
Vision/hearing screening
Screening for anemia, diabetes, kidney problems
Vital signs, growth evaluations
Cardiac screening (with ekg’s especially for sports physicals)
Immunization updates
Depression/drug surveys

When to schedule: We try to schedule the appointment around your child’s birthday. This is often not possible due to school/sport schedules. Some deadlines include:

Kindergarten exams must usually be completed by the spring previous to entrance of school
Sports Physicals usually have to be done before August for the following terms
College exams have to be done by June before entrance

August and the first few weeks of September are usually crunch time. Please try to schedule your appointment in advance as this time of year is when EVERYONE needs to come in ASAP.

Behavioral/Developmental Services

So much of what we do involves involves behavior and development. Some of our focus in these areas include:

Depression Screening:

We formally screen all teenagers for depression with the simple PHQ-9 survey. Your child will fill this out on the computer at the time of their annual exam. This is confidential, and no one sees it but the providers. If we feel that the questionnaire reveals a concern, we will discuss it directly with the teenager, and then the parent. We take this part of the exam seriously as suicide in teenagers is a growing problem.

In the event that there is a concern, we will refer you as needed. Often, for mild issues, we may decide to treat directly.

Smoking/Drug/Alcohol Screening:

We will ask your teenager to take a questionnaire relating to smoking/drug and alcohol use. This is confidential, and we try to develop a relationship with your child where they feel safe in this regard.

Often we are asked to perform drug testing on teenagers. If there is a concern, we prefer to discuss it directly with your child versus testing before discussion. Please be advised that we can test, but the results may be deemed confidential where we cannot discuss it with the parent without permission.

Sexual Activity Screening:

One of the most controversial issues that parents must face is the topic of sexual behaviors of their children. We screen for this issue in all teenagers. We are concerned about dangerous behaviors that teenagers participate in. This information is ABSOLUTELY CONFIDENTIAL and we will NOT share the information with anyone, including the parent.

Sexually Transmitted disease Screening:

We test all teenagers for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea. The results are ABSOLUTELY CONFIDENTIAL and we will NOT share the information with the parent. This policy is often very difficult for parents to understand, but we are protected by New York State Law in this matter. Our most important consideration is your child, and we will do what we have to insure THEIR health and safety. We do recommend that your child discuss these issues with their parent.

Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD and ADHD:

We deliver complete care regarding the testing and treatment of children with suspected or confirmed ADD/ADHD. Please see Forms for reading and questionairres. If interested, please read below:

A.D.H.D

Take my hand and come with me,
I want to teach you about ADHD.
I need you to know, I want to explain,
I have a very different brain.
Sights, sounds, and thoughts collide.
What to do first? I can't decide.

Please understand I'm not to blame,
I just can't process things the same.
Take my hand and walk with me,
Let me show you about ADHD.
I try to behave, I want to be good,
But I sometimes forget to do as I should.

Walk with me and wear my shoes,
You'll see its not the way I'd choose.
I do know what I'm supposed to do,
But my brain is slow getting the message through.

Take my hand and talk with me,
I want to tell you about ADHD.
I rarely think before I talk,
I often run when I should walk.
It's hard to get my school work done,
My thoughts are outside having fun.
I never know just where to start,
I think with my feelings and see with my heart.

Take my hand and stand by me,
I need you to know about ADHD.
It's hard to explain but I want you to know,
I can't help letting my feelings show.
Sometimes I'm angry, jealous, or sad.
I feel overwhelmed, frustrated, and mad.
I can't concentrate and I lose all my stuff.
I try really hard but it's never enough.

Take my hand and learn with me,
We need to know more about ADHD.
I worry a lot about getting things wrong,
Everything I do takes twice as long.
Everyday is exhausting for me...
Looking through the fog of ADHD.
I'm often so misunderstood,
I would change in a heartbeat if I could.

Take my hand and listen to me,
I want to share a secret about ADHD.
I want you to know there is more to me.
I'm not defined by it, you see.
I'm sensitive, kind and lots of fun.
I'm blamed for things I haven't done.
I'm the loyalist friend you'll ever know,
I just need a chance to let it show.

Take my hand and look at me,
Just forget about the ADHD.
I have real feelings just like you.
The love in my heart is just as true.
I may have a brain that can never rest,
But please understand I'm trying my best.
I want you to know, I need you to see,
I'm more than the label, I am still me!!!!

~Author Unknown

Urgent Mental Health Services

We have partnered with Northwell Health to offer our patients immediate urgent care for acute mental health issues. If you need an evaluation these services are available:

The Pediatric Behavioral Health Urgent Care Center provides walk-in evaluations and treatment to assist children and adolescents (ages 5-17) and their families experiencing a behavioral health crisis.

Location:

Cohen Children's Medical Center of New York
269-01 76th Avenue,
New Hyde Park, New York 11040
Phone: 917-480- 4495
Hours: Monday-Friday 10 am-4pm

For those who are 18 and older, then the Behavioral Health Crisis Center with walk in service is available Monday-Friday 9am-7pm:

Behavioral Health Crisis Center
75-59 263rd Street
Glen Oaks, NY 11004
Tel: (718) 470-8300
Fax: (718/516) 470-3629