What’s New Around Campus

New features coming to local private high schools. Read More  Read More

When Sharing Isn’t Caring

Modern parents walk a fine line between singing kids’ praises on social media and invading their privacy. Read More  Read More

Brushing Up

Smile! More than 70 of Greater Orlando’s best dentists, as selected by our readers. Read More  Read More

Greater Orlando’s Healthy Future

Medical advancements available at local hospitals open a world of exciting possibilities. Read More  Read More

Best Doctors

The health care world is constantly changing, and in Greater Orlando, it’s one of the fastest growing industries as local providers seek to stay on the cutting edge of the field. That means local doctors have to stay ahead of the curve so they don’t get left behind. That’s good news for Central Floridians, who regularly seek out the best medical care they can find. In order... Read More

Medically Speaking…

Doctors provide insight into their world. Dr. Julie Wei Pediatric Otolaryngology “I wish I could tell myself early on to not be so self-assured. Early in a physician/surgeon’s practice, one is naturally focused on one’s abilities and believes that we can ‘fix’ anything. The longer I practice and more experience I have, I am much more humbled by all the factors that influence... Read More

Class Is in Session: Public High School Report Card 2016

KIDS AT THE BUS STOP, teachers prepping lesson plans, lockers stuffed with books, athletic teams hitting the practice field. It can only mean one thing: The return of the school year is upon us. But how much do you really know about your child’s school and its approach to academics? In Greater Orlando, there are numerous high schools that not only prepare students for the upcoming... Read More

Today’s Hot College Majors

GOING TO COLLEGE entails lots of decision making. Community college or a four-year university? In or out of state? Private or public? And perhaps most grueling of all: What to major in? If local colleges are any barometer, degree programs that focus on business and health seem to be the most sought-after by local incoming freshmen. “We’ve seen a lot of our students indicate... Read More

The SAT’s New Look

IN MARCH, the College Board, a nonprofit organization that helps more than 7 million students prepare for the transition to college each year through various programs and services, officially launched the redesigned SAT. “The College Board is redesigning the SAT to focus on the few things that evidence shows matter most for college and career readiness,” says Zach Goldberg,... Read More

Comfortable in Your Own Skin

May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month, which might not mean much to you—until you consider how widespread the disease really is. “Skin cancer rates are skyrocketing, both in the U.S., where more than 3.5 million skin cancers are diagnosed annually, and around the world,” says Dr. Michael Steppie, president and medical director of the Orlando-based Associates in Dermatology. “In... Read More

Learning the Hard Way

For children and adults alike, a learning disability presents a serious challenge—and regardless of whether you realize it, someone in your family could be coping with one right now, no matter how smart, strong, stable or supported he or she might be. “Learning disabilities are more common than many people think,” says Dr. Charlene Messenger, a school psychologist since 1978... Read More

Gifted in Greater Orlando

Gifted: We’ve all heard the term. Perhaps we even fall into that category or know people who do. And of course, parents often suspect their child is gifted long before it’s confirmed. “I knew Lexi was different than other children at a very early age,” says Kristy M. (last name withheld by request), referring to her daughter who attends Orange County’s Lake Sybelia Elementary... Read More

Two Decades of Success: Autism Society of Greater Orlando

ASGO’s 20th anniversary celebration featured an Autism Art exhibit. April is National Autism Awareness Month—but as far as the Autism Society of Greater Orlando (ASGO) is concerned, autism awareness and acceptance deserve to be promoted all year long. They’ve also been working toward that goal for two decades, having celebrated their 20th anniversary in March. “It seems... Read More

Sick of the Zika

As infection rates rapidly increase across the globe, the Zika virus is raising alarms in the medical community—not for its symptoms but for its link to congenital microcephaly, miscarriages and other adverse fetal outcomes for pregnant women. Orlando physicians, as well as the entire medical community, are on high alert for signs of the virus, yet they advocate calm, as there’s... Read More

Should Toys Talk to Kids?

Move over imaginary friend—having a toy that can actually talk is a childhood dream come true. Adults have been trying to bring that fantasy to life ever since Thomas Edison installed miniature, handcranked phonographs in porcelain dolls. Over the years, manufacturers have experimented with toys that say prerecorded phrases or tell entire stories when a child pulls a string or... Read More

9 Natural Ways to Boost Your Child’s Immune System

Flu season has cleared up, but chances of catching a common cold still remain elevated during springtime when compared to summer months. So, what can you do? Try simple, natural strategies to help keep your family healthy and strong. These tips can also help the body fight illness more efficiently. Eat the colors of the rainbow Fruits and vegetables get their color from naturally... Read More

Tricks to Solve 6 Common Kitchen Design Dilemmas

When renovating a kitchen, homeowners can find themselves facing challenging design dilemmas. “When redesigning or refreshing a kitchen, the goal is to create a space that is hardworking yet beautiful,” says Nate Berkus, renowned celebrity designer and artistic advisor to LG Studio. “Look for items that really represent who you are and your design personality, and you’ll... Read More

Helping Your Overweight Child

The percentage of overweight children in the U.S. is growing at an alarming rate, with 1-in-3 kids now considered overweight or obese. From fast food to electronics, quick and easy is the new normal for many people; and preventing your kids from becoming overweight might mean changing the way your family eats, exercises, and spends time together. Helping kids adopt healthy lifestyles... Read More

Helping Kids Get Enough Sleep in a 24/7 World

For growing children, adequate sleep may be every bit as important as nutritious food and daily exercise. Yet, ever since Edison flipped on the first electric light, experts have been worrying about whether any of us are getting enough sleep! Now researchers are warning that online amusements, especially social media, are sabotaging sleep. Not long ago, the New York Times ran an... Read More

Don’t Miss a Beat in Seeking Treatment

Do you know the warning signs of a heart attack? In a survey reported by the CDC, 92% of respondents recognized chest pain as a symptom of a heart attack. However, only 27% were aware of all major symptoms ─ chest pain or discomfort; upper body pain or discomfort in the arms, back, neck, jaw, or upper stomach; shortness of breath, nausea, lightheadedness, or cold sweats ─ and... Read More

Supporting Adolescent Romantic Relationships

Your daughter’s latest crush has thick black hair and a brown belt in Aikido. Enamored of his vegetarian lifestyle and Eastern interests, she’s talking tofu and downloading anime movies by the gigabyte. You? Not so impressed.  Learning from Love “Although many parents would like pre-teens to participate in supervised group activities, school dances, and trips to the mall... Read More