All babies and toddlers thrive on games, love and fun. This is a crucial development phase. This series of articles about the health and development of birth to 2 year olds living with PWS provides ideas and guidance for families and professionals.

New diagnosis feelings

Parents write about themselves and what they did

Welcoming a new baby

A brief overview of things to consider, including financial assistance

Feeding and weaning your baby

Establishing good early feeding habits, feeding techniques and aids, when to wean your baby.

Healthcare in PWS birth-2 years

A brief synopsis regarding potential health risks for infants living with PWS.

Developing your child’s potential 0-2 years

Enjoying time with your new baby, play, child care, hydrotherapy.

Dental tips

Brushing teeth, sticky saliva, the tooth fairy, enamel erosion, oral/motor stimulation and choosing a dentist.

Vision & care for the eyes

Strabismus (squint), astigmatism and eye infections (conjunctivitis, blepharitis): Cause and treatment.

Speech and Language in PWS

Developing communication, signing and the role of speech and language therapists.

Information for GP’s

An overview of characteristics of PWS, with health care risk and recommendations.

Recommended hospital admission policy

Royal Prince Alfred Hospital recommended admission policy for people living with PWS.

Information for hospitals and emergency department staff

Gastric diagnosis complexities, medication metabalisation, body composition, body temperature abnormalities, high pain threshold.

Meeting the NDIS

Learn about getting funding from the NDIS at different ages and and other interactions.

Information for grandparents

Supporting the person and other family members, finding out, sweet treats, exercise, respite opportunities.

Information for brothers and sisters

What is PWS, why is my sibling different – the good and the bad, how can I help, is it OK to feel annoyed sometimes?

Telling your child about PWS

When to start telling your child about living with PWS, sexuality, relationships, body changes.

Coming to terms with the diagnosis

Understanding your emotional response to a diagnosis of PWS, a ‘different’ journey, expressing your feelings.

Growth hormone therapy for children living with PWS

Benefits and side effects of growth hormone treatment, when to start GH treatment, sleep aponea.

Information for preschool and day care staff

Characteristics and health risks, developmental milestones, routines and environmental modification in childcare and creche settings.

Sensory Integration Therapy for PWS

Explanation of the sensory issues common to PWS, then a dive into sensory integration therapy.

PWS and Communication

A video by speech and language therapist Hayley Arnott about communication issues in children and adults, with ideas for helping.