Advertise on podcast: Your Child's Brain

Dr. Theresa Nguyen, pediatrician and host of the "Practical Parenting" podcast, joins Dr. Brad Schlaggar this month to talk about the state of youth mental health. Recent research reveals that kids are more anxious or depressed than previously reported and are even considering suicide more frequently than parents might know. Dr. Nguyen and Dr. Schlagger share advice for talking about these tough topics with the children in your lives.

September is Childhood Cancer Month. On this episode of Your Child's Brain, Dr. Brad Schlaggar is joined by Drs. Stacy Suskauer and Rachel Peterson to discuss advances in the treatment and research of pediatric brain cancer, one of the most common types of cancer in children. They also discuss a new program at Kennedy Krieger that is designed to connect pediatric brain cancer patients to resources and help support their cognitive and physical health during and after treatment.

What is neurofibromatosis? On this month’s episode of Your Child’s Brain, Dr. Brad Schlaggar talks with neurologists Dr. Stephanie Morris and Dr. Jaishri Blakeley about this rare disease which affects about 1 in 2,500 individuals. They discuss what neurofibromatosis is, how it affects the body, and the ways it’s being treated at a new Kennedy Krieger clinic for pediatric patients, an extension of a world-class neurofibromatosis center at Johns Hopkins Medicine.

On this month’s episode of Your Child’s Brain, we mark the fifth anniversary of the podcast. Dr. Ali Fatemi, Kennedy Krieger’s chief medical officer, joins host Dr. Brad Schlaggar to celebrate and reflect on these past five years. More than 95 experts have appeared on the show to share information on a wide variety of topics, including autism, epilepsy, stroke, sickle cell disease, post-cancer recovery, mental health conditions, and more. They’ve talked about education, advocacy, research, and clinical care, and they’ve been joined by patients, students, and families, who have shared their perspectives, too. Tune in to hear this retrospective—and what’s on the horizon in the care and treatment of children with neurodevelopmental conditions.

It is now estimated that more than 20 percent of American children and teens have at least one mental, behavioral, or emotional health condition. Among the most common of these mental health challenges are anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder (or OCD). In this episode, Dr. Joe McGuire, director of psychology for the Developmental Behavioral Health Program at Kennedy Krieger, discusses cognitive behavior therapy and other non-pharmacological ways that children are being treated for anxiety, OCD and other conditions—and to good success. Dr. Brad Schlaggar, president and CEO of Kennedy Krieger, is the episode host.

Just like adult neurologists, pediatric neurologists take care of conditions and diseases involving the nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord, nerves, and muscles. They do so in the context of development, from preterm newborns throughout childhood and adolescence into adulthood. On this month’s episode of Your Child’s Brain, we highlight the field of pediatric neurology, including why right now is such an exciting time for the field. Our host, Dr. Brad Schlaggar, president and CEO of Kennedy Krieger, is joined by Dr. Brenda Banwell, a pediatric neurologist, director of the Department of Pediatrics at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, and co-director of the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center.

About 1% of all children in the U.S. have multiple significant and chronic health problems, or what’s known as “medical complexity.” Kennedy Krieger happens to be a leading treatment center for children whose medical complexities affect the brain, spinal cord, nerves, or muscles. In this episode, Dr. Michelle Melicosta, associate chief medical officer, explains what medical complexity is. Listeners also meet Eleftheria Tzortzakaki, the mother of a young patient with acute flaccid myelitis, a condition that is both rare and complex. As always, Dr. Brad Schlaggar, president and CEO, serves as host.

Listen in as our host, Dr. Brad Schlaggar, president and CEO of Kennedy Krieger, talks with neurologist Dr. Connie Smith-Hicks, an expert on SYNGAP1-related disorder. They discuss this diagnosis as well as ground-breaking, collaborative research into this rare disease and brain function.

February is Rare Disease Month, a time to shine a bright light on the work that goes into identifying, treating, and, ultimately, finding the cures for rare diseases. Join Dr. Brad Schlaggar, president and CEO of Kennedy Krieger, as he discusses research around rare disease with Dr. Jacqueline Harris, a pediatric neurologist and an international leader in the study of Kabuki syndrome. Also on the show is Kimberly Maxfield, who shares her perspective as the parent of Noah, a preschooler with Kabuki syndrome.

A stroke happens when blood flow to part of the brain is disrupted—either because a blood vessel gets blocked or because it breaks and causes bleeding. Many people think strokes only happen to adults, but children—even newborns—can have strokes too. Unfortunately, awareness is low, and strokes in kids are often misdiagnosed, which can lead to dangerous delays in treatment. Just like in adults, recognizing the signs quickly can make a big difference in recovery and outcomes for kids. Join Dr. Brad Schlaggar, president and CEO of Kennedy Krieger Institute, along with Drs. Ryan Felling, Laura Malone, and Richard Boada, as they talk about what families need to know about strokes in children.

Raising a child with a disability is a journey marked by love, resilience, and hope,but it also brings complex challenges that can feel overwhelming. Parents are navigating unfamiliar systems, advocating fiercely for services, and making critical decisions,all without a roadmap. We are pleased to provide families with a new resource and roadmap. Join Dr. Brad Schlaggar, president and CEO of Kennedy Krieger Institute and his guests Dr. Mary Leppert and Maureen van Stone, as they discuss the Maryland Guide for Families of Children with Disabilities.

Early childhood is an important stage of life for brain development. As a child learns new information, engages in social interaction, and goes through their daily routine, their brain responds with neuroplasticity, a process that allows it to change, adapt, and reorganize. Listen to Dr. Brad Schlaggar, president and CEO of Kennedy Krieger Institute and his guests, Drs. Joanna Burton and Gwendolyn Gerner, as they discuss neuroplasticity in early childhood and its role in brain development and learning.

For children, social interaction isn’t just play—it’s brain-building. When children connect, share, and empathize, they are also strengthening the neural pathways that shape emotional intelligence, communication, cooperation, and lifelong learning. Join Brad Schlaggar, president and CEO of Kennedy Krieger Institute and his guests Drs. Maya Opendak and Tomomi Karigo as they discuss the development of our brains’ neural systems for social and emotional behavior, and the factors that can interrupt that development.

Parenting is one of the most important jobs—but most parents don’t get formal training. Many rely on what they learned growing up and figure things out along the way. While that works for some, others may struggle—especially when faced with challenging behaviors or uncertainty about how to support their child. Join Dr. Brad Schlaggar, president and CEO of Kennedy Krieger, along with Dr. Debbie Gross and Amie Bettencourt, as they explore the Chicago Parent Program—a proven, innovative approach that helps parents build skills and support their children’s mental health and well-being.

As students get ready to go back to school soon, Kennedy Krieger President and CEO Dr. Brad Schlaggar and his guest, Dr. Nancy Grasmick, former superintendent of schools for the state of Maryland, discuss educating students with neurodevelopmental concerns, the importance of training teachers to meet the needs of those students and what can be done to improve the educational outcomes of all students.