northsidepediatrics

Northside Pediatrics' Vaccine Statement

Tue, 06 Jan 2026 23:04:45 GMT

We are sure you have seen the confusing news regarding administrators at the CDC changing the recommended vaccines for children in the U.S. We want to be 100% clear - the science around the safety, benefit, and importance of these vaccinations recommended for our children has not changed.

At Northside Pediatrics, we will continue to follow the evidence-based, expert recommendations as we always have, and our vaccine policy will remain the same. By requiring the American Academy of Pediatrics vaccine schedule for our patients, we know we'll be furthering that mission we've had since our inception as a pediatric practice in 1982 - to offer the best care for your kids. Read on for more details.

We are sure you have seen the confusing news this week regarding administrators at the CDC changing the recommended vaccines for children in the U.S. This included the CDC no longer universally recommending kids be vaccinated against hepatitis A, hepatitis B, rotavirus, meningitis (ACWY and B strains), influenza, COVID-19 and RSV. CDC officials are suggesting these vaccines only be considered in certain groups deemed "high risk", or after discussion with a healthcare provider as part of "shared decision making" process.

We want to be 100% clear - the science around the safety, benefit, and importance of these vaccinations recommended for our children has not changed. All children are "high risk" for these conditions and serve to benefit from the protection afforded by these and all vaccines that have been recommended to this point in the U.S. The CDC's decision to change the schedule was haphazardly made by looking at other countries' recommended vaccine schedules and arbitrarily going with a country (Denmark's) who has less recommended vaccines. The idea that Denmark’s lack of recommendation for certain vaccines should guide the United States vaccine schedule, does not make clinical sense for the United States population.

Please know that while vaccine recommendations are largely similar from one developed country to the next, there are and should be differences between countries. The United States is clearly not Denmark. We're not Japan. We're also not Sierra Leone. Each part of the world has varying levels of and varieties of disease threats due to differences in population demographics, government structures, healthcare accessibility, healthcare costs, vaccine availability, and vaccine delivery mechanisms. With the help of local infectious disease experts (including doctors, scientists, and public health professionals), each country has built their own, evidence-based recommended vaccine schedule catered to that country's challenges with battling particular diseases. The United States has been no different, consistently reviewing and updating the recommended U.S. vaccine schedule each year.

Unfortunately, this week's CDC recommendations are a departure from sound, evidence-based guidance by medical experts. Instead, those who are not experts on matters relating to infectious disease threats, public health matters, and the health of children decided to come together and make a reckless decision that will leave our children vulnerable to infections that are still a threat to all children in the U.S. Seeing the news this last year of a giant increase in the cases of measles in unvaccinated populations and deaths from influenza in the last month and RSV sadly prove this.

At Northside Pediatrics, we will continue to follow the evidence-based, expert recommendations as we always have and our vaccine policy will remain the same. Like all similarly minded pediatricians wanting to do the best to keep our patients and families healthy, we will follow the American Academy of Pediatrics recommended vaccine schedule and will not accept this week's recommended changes by the CDC. By requiring the American Academy of Pediatrics vaccine schedule for our patients, we know we'll be furthering that mission we've had since our inception as a pediatric practice in 1982 - to offer the best care for your kids.

We hope this information clarifies the confusion that the CDC announcement has created. In case you are also wondering, this news is not expected to cause any disruption to insurance coverage of any vaccines. Please know that we are here if you still have any questions or concerns - call us, message us through Klara (our two-way texting platform), or chat with us in person. Thank you for entrusting us with the care of your kids!

Food Assistance Resources

Thu, 11 Dec 2025 12:38:31 GMT

National food assistance resources available in the U.S. during the ongoing government shutdown, especially for those affected by the suspension of SNAP (food stamp) benefits:

�� Major National Food Assistance Resources

1. Feeding America www.feedingamerica.org

What they do : Operate a nationwide network of food banks and pantries.
How to get help : Use their Food Bank Locator to find local assistance.
Special efforts : Their Community Response Campaign is ramping up to meet increased demand during the shutdown.

2. USDA National Hunger Hotline

Phone : 1-866-3-HUNGRY (1-866-348-6479)
Services : Connects callers with emergency food providers, government assistance programs, and social services.

3. No Kid Hungry

Focus : Ensures children have access to meals, especially when school meal programs are disrupted.
Website : www.nokidhungry.org

4. Mercy Chefs

Special Program : “Feed the Force” – provides meals to military families affected by SNAP cuts.
Website : www.mercychefs.com

 5. Atlanta Community Food Bank - www.acfb.org

�� How to Find Local Help

Feeding America’s Zip Code Tool : Find food near you www.feedingamerica.org
State SNAP Agencies : Many states are offering emergency food programs or directing residents to local food banks. SNAP Benefits Government Shutdown: Full list of what states are doing to help families | FOX 5 DC
Community Fridges & Pantries : Check local Facebook groups or mutual aid networks for nearby free food resources.

�� Additional Support Options

Flashfood App: Offers discounted groceries nearing expiration. Flashfood | The app for grocery's best kept deals
Local School Meal Programs: Many schools continue to offer free meals to children even during closures or funding gaps.

�� If You’re in Immediate Need

Call 211: This is a free, confidential service that helps people across North America find local resources.
Visit a local food pantry: Many are expanding hours and services during the shutdown. Find local food banks at www.feedingamerica.org

Top Doctors Again!

Thu, 11 Dec 2025 12:23:47 GMT

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Both Atlanta Top Docs and Castle Connolly Top Doctors are "peer-nominated, and thoroughly vetted by a physician-led research team. These doctors are best-in-class health care providers, embodying excellence in clinical care as well as interpersonal skills." Thank you for trusting us with caring for your child - we consider it an honor and privilege to deliver top notch care to each and every patient. While we believe every doc at our office is a top doc, congratulations to those who were specifically named this year! Check out their bios to learn a little more about their training and special interests.

Dr. Amy Hardin
Dr. Natalie Metzig
Dr. Tiji Philip
Dr. Adele Goodloe
Dr. Kate McGlamry

Dr. Hardin advocates for vaccines at the ACIP meeting

Thu, 11 Dec 2025 12:19:49 GMT

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Time for a Check Up!

Thu, 11 Dec 2025 12:04:19 GMT

Check up season is here! If it has been more than 12 months without a check up, your child is due for a well visit. You can always call our office if you are not sure when your child’s last check-up was completed. We have noticed many parents think their kids have already had check-ups when they actually were just in for (a lot of) sick visits only.

Well child checks are packed full of important information. During these visits, we make sure kids are growing well, reaching developmental milestones, maintaining healthy habits and doing well in school. We also answer questions both you and your kids may have, fill out sports/camp/pre-K/kindergarten/college forms, complete a comprehensive physical exam, make sure everyone is up to date on their vaccines and much, much more. We are unable to refill medicines or sign sports physicals without having a current well child check in the past 12 months.

We love seeing you and your kids every year for these very important well check visits! We pride ourselves on being the best pediatricians in the metro Atlanta area and provide thorough, thoughtful care each and ever visit. We are accepting new patients as well. Families come from all over to see us -including Brookhaven, Dunwoody, East and West Cobb, Marietta, Kennesaw, Woodstock, Holly Springs, Canton, Waleska and Jasper.

Give us a call at our Woodstock or Sandy Springs offices to get your well child visit scheduled. Our June, July and August schedules are now open and filling fast!

Reading Lists for Tricky Topics

Thu, 11 Dec 2025 11:58:03 GMT

As parents, our lives are filled with tricky topics - from picky eating to puberty - each developmental phase can bring a new challenge to overcome. We would love to share this book list to help you navigate these obstacles! From A to Z, there is something for everyone here - anxiety, ADHD, babysitting, body boundaries, bullying, divorce, empathy, grief, puberty, parenting, starting kindergarten, and strong-willed kids.

Flu, COVID-19 and RSV Immunization Info

Thu, 11 Dec 2025 11:49:34 GMT

Hello NSP families and friends!

We hope you've had an enjoyable summer and are easing into back-to-school season. While we are all looking forward to our kids getting back to learning, we know this will bring the inevitable - all the school germs, ugh! Our families often ask us how to best prevent their kids from getting sick – and we have a great answer – get vaccinated!

As you know, vaccinations are a critical way to give our immune system a "heads up" to prepare for bad germs. We recommend all eligible infants and children receive the influenza and COVID-19 vaccinations. All infants 8 months and under should also receive Beyfortus (Nirsevimab), the RSV-preventative monoclonal antibody immunization. We know there is a lot of information out there about these immunizations. We put it all together into an easy-to-read summary and graph detailing eligibility, age requirements and dosage schedules for each immunization!

For influenza, we recommend annual influenza vaccination for all kids 6 months and older. If your child is less than 8 years old and is receiving their first flu vaccine or has not received two doses of flu vaccine in the past, they will need one additional flu booster dose a month later to be fully protected this season. To ensure full protection before flu season starts, we recommend getting your flu vaccinations no later than October 31st. Again, this year, we will offer both injectable and Flumist nasal spray vaccines.

For COVID-19 , we recommend all kids 6 months and older receive an updated 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine. Children 4 years and younger require two COVID-19 shots the first season they get vaccinated. We will only be offering the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at our office this year. The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines can now be mixed and matched. Like the flu vaccine, a new formulation of the COVID-19 vaccine is being made with the most up to date serotypes added, which will be available in early fall. This is when we will start offering it again in our offices.

For RSV, we recommend Beyfortus (or nirsevimab) for all infants and select children during RSV season, which is October 1st through March 31st. Beyfortus is a monoclonal antibody given as a single dose injection at the start of RSV season and will provide babies with antibodies to fight against RSV throughout the full season. Beyfortus is recommended for all babies younger than 8 months of age by the start of RSV season, which is Oct 1st. Rarely, very medically complex children ages 8 months through 19 months old who are at increased risk for severe RSV disease and entering their second RSV season may be eligible to receive a 2nd Beyfortus injection. Please reach out if you think your medically complex child is eligible.

As you can see, there are lots of ways to protect your family from these upcoming illnesses. To quote George Washington (nope...wasn't Kirby Smart or Nick Saban), "The best defense is a good offense." We are excited to help you get your defensive plan in place for the fall!

Sincerely,

Northside Pediatrics’ Providers

Drs. Hardin, Metzig, and Philip named as Atlanta's Top Doctors!

Thu, 11 Dec 2025 10:07:22 GMT

We are excited to announce that three of our physicians have been selected as Atlanta Magazine's 2024 Top Doctors - Dr. Amy Hardin, and Dr. Natalie Metzig, Dr. Tiji Philp . Our entire team at Northside Pediatrics proudly provides the best care for kids in the greater Atlanta area. Thank you for recognizing the dedication and passion our doctors share with their patients everyday!

Congratulations to Northside Peds' 2024 Top Doctors!

Thu, 11 Dec 2025 09:51:33 GMT

Drs. Kate McGlamry, Natalie Metzig, Tiji Philip and Adele Goodloe were named as Atlanta's Top Doctors for 2024! Castle Connolly Top Doctors are "peer-nominated, and thoroughly vetted by a physician-led research team. These doctors are best-in-class healthcare providers, embodying excellence in clinical care as well as interpersonal skills." Our Northside Pediatrics teams loves taking care of kids, and it shows everyday. Read on to learn more about what makes our doctors the best.

Join us for Walk with a Doc!

Thu, 11 Dec 2025 09:33:53 GMT

It may be hot outside, but we would love to go on a walk with you! Come enjoy nature and a fun park - join us for July's Walk with a Doc, hosted by Dr. Amy Hardin . All ages are welcome - from infants in strollers, to toddlers, teens, parents and grandparents - and everyone in between! The walk will be at Woodstock's Patriot's Park on Sunday, July 9th at 1:00 pm. If weather looks threatening, please check our Facebook (Northside Pediatrics, PC) page to see if this event has to be canceled. If there is just a light drizzle, we will put our raincoats on and walk!

At Walk with a Doc, one of your favorite Northside Peds Docs will be there to host each month. Walks begin with a brief discussion on a current health topic and then families can enjoy a healthy walk and conversation. Bring your entire family – strollers, wagons, scooters, and bikes are welcome! And did we mention there will be fun prizes for the kids?

A few days prior to each walk, we will send out an email with when and where the walk will take place. We will be holding these events in both the Woodstock and Sandy Springs area over the course of the year. We hope you can join us for a walk in the near future. You can learn more about the Walk with a Doc mission here !

July's Walk with a Doc

Hosted by Dr. Amy Hardin

Sunday, July 9th at 1:00 pm

Patriot's Park (Located about 5 min from our Woodstock office)

1485 Kellogg Creek Rd, Acworth, GA 30102

Northside Pediatrics' Spring Updates

Thu, 11 Dec 2025 09:27:18 GMT

We have some exciting information on changes that are happening in both of our offices as we move back towards our pre-COVID days. Can you believe it has been 3 years? It’s been a bit of a blur for us too, but all your lovely kids (and *all* those new babies!) have truly helped us find joy over the years.

First! We are resuming using the waiting rooms beginning Wednesday, April 5th . You no longer need to call from the parking lot and wait in your car. Upon arrival, please proceed directly to the waiting room. The clinical staff will call you back from the waiting room and collect information in the rooms, just like we did in the past. We hope that this will continue to reduce wait times and expedite your visit. The waiting room is divided into sick and well sides. We ask that you help with infection control by keeping your children on the appropriate side. We also request that if your child has a fever or cough, he or she wears a mask while they are in the office.

Due to the decreasing numbers of COVID and changing federal guidelines, our friends at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA), Northside and WellStar have now relaxed masking guidelines, so we will be doing the same. As of Monday, April 3rd, masks will no longer be required at Northside Pediatrics for patients. We strongly encourage mask wearing for all those who desire to do so, as well as any patient with fever or cough (as mentioned above). Additionally, the providers and staff will continue wearing masks, in accordance with recommendations from CHOA.

Our June schedule is now open for those much desired teenage, sports and camp physicals. July schedule will be opening by mid-April. Call soon to book your children’s summer check-ups! If it has been more than 12 months, your child is due for a well visit. Please remember, in order to receive medications refills or signed sports/camp forms, a well check must have been completed in the past 12 months. Also, please check your school requirements for sports physicals, as some private schools have restrictions on dates for check-ups.

Stay tuned for our spring Walk with a Doc dates! March’s WWAD had a nice big crowd up at Patriot’s Park in Woodstock. April and May will be back down in the Sandy Springs area with Drs. Thompson and Estroff. June’s WWAD will be back up in Woodstock with Dr Hardin. We sure do love seeing your smiling faces enjoying the outdoors!

Spring is an awesome time to recommit to exercise as a family. Parks, playgrounds, biking trails, gardens to walk through and mountains to climb... Georgia has it all! Check out the All-Trails App for some off-the-beaten path places to go and get outside with your kids. You may see your favorite doc, nurse practitioner, medical assistant or front office staff member out there too!

Stay healthy this spring!

Sincerely,

The Northside Pediatric Providers

Northside Peds Introduces Klara - A Simplified Telemedicine Platform!

Thu, 11 Dec 2025 09:21:29 GMT

Did you know that Northside Pediatircs offers telemedicine visits on a daily basis? With Klara, our new telemedicine platform, it is incredibly easy to join your visit on any device with a camera, microphone and internet. Read on for more information about telemedicine visits at Northside Peds.

NSP Welcomes Nurse Practitioner Meredith Gillig, CPNP

Thu, 11 Dec 2025 09:16:36 GMT

Meredith Gillig, MSN, CPNP, a Dual Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, attended the University of Mississippi for her undergraduate education and obtained a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science. She subsequently completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from University of Tennessee in Memphis. She started her nursing career at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital specializing in pediatric oncology and continued to practice as a nurse in oncology throughout graduate school. She obtained a dual Master of Science in Nursing in both Pediatric Primary Care and Pediatric Acute Care from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Meredith began her Nurse Practitioner career in Cumming, GA at a small private pediatric practice. She is a current member of the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners and the American Association of Nurse Practitioners.

Meredith's special interests include pediatric mental health awareness and management as well as caring for children with chronic medical conditions requiring multidisciplinary needs.

During her free time, you might find Meredith spending time and traveling with her husband, playing with her puppy Ridge, gardening, or painting.

Northside Pediatrics' 40th anniversary

Thu, 11 Dec 2025 09:12:00 GMT

This year we are celebrating Northside Pediatrics' 40th anniversary! We have lots of fun planned for our staff and families. Check out a super treat, a video with special guest stars, Drs Levine, Brown and Winner, discussing the early years of NSP. Keep an eye on our Facebook Page (Facebook.com/NorthsidePediatrics) for fun contests (e.g. which NSP family is the largest one, who has been coming here longest, which family gave us a new pediatrician?), and if you’re in the office, there will be some great NSP swag for your families. We hope you will help us celebrate our wonderful staff and 40 years of providing the best care for your kids.

Welcome Dr. Estroff and Dr. Thompson

Thu, 11 Dec 2025 09:08:01 GMT

We are excited to announce Dr. Brandon Estroff and Dr. Mary Thompson will be joining Northside Pediatrics this summer! They both come to us via Emory, and will be joining the Northside Pediatrics team in July and August. We know that you will find them as wonderful as we do. Please help us in welcoming them to the team.

NSP Accepts BCBS/ Anthem Insurance

Thu, 11 Dec 2025 09:02:06 GMT

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Hello Northside Peds family,

We have heard from our families about the stress related to recent local insurance issues. We wanted to make sure you know that Northside Pediatrics is not affiliated with Northside Hospital system, but rather is an independent private practice. The ongoing dispute between Northside Hospital and insurance networks (such as Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield) does NOT affect Northside Pediatrics or our patients. Northside Pediatrics DOES accept Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield. We know that the similar names of our practice and the hospital have been confusing, and we hope this clarification alleviates any concerns.

Additionally, we are excited to see new patients again. We love meeting your neighbors, friends and family. If you know anyone looking for a great pediatrician office, please send them our way! We always appreciate your kind words and referrals. New patients looking for more information about Northside Pediatrics can check out our website as well.

Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions. We are here to help.

Sincerely,

Northside Pediatrics

Park Pick-up Project

Thu, 11 Dec 2025 08:58:04 GMT

Do you and your family enjoy being outside? Are you looking for a fun community service project to do with your family? If so check out Dr. Goodloe's autumn Walk With a Doc event !

What to Ask at a Meet and Greet by Dr. Goodloe

Thu, 11 Dec 2025 08:53:55 GMT

You’ve spent nine long months doing everything just right – from daily vitamins to nursery colors to prenatal yoga (ok, not all of us… certainly not me) – and baby’s due date is coming up fast! But in this time of preparation, have you thought about who is going to guide you through these next 18 years? Who is going to be your pediatrician? Not only do you want someone with exceptional medical knowledge, but you also need someone who connects with you, shares your ideas on caring for kids, and has a welcoming, convenient office. Sound impossible to find? Fortunately, most offices offer parents a time to meet the pediatricians on staff and tour the office.

Questions to ask you pediatrician during your meet and greet visit should cover a wide range of topics, including training, pediatric philosophy, and office logistics. Here are a few of my recommendations to make the most of your time.

Get Personal!

These questions help you understand your prospective pediatrician’s training and experience. Newly trained physicians will be up to date on the latest practices and will likely be in practice for many years to come, allowing for continuity of care for your child. Older physicians will have years of experience under their belt, which can be very valuable. Being board certified means that your pediatrician continues to engage in further pediatric education and passes recurrent tests covering this material.

How long have you been a doctor, and how long have you been in this practice?
Are you board certified?
What medical or parenting topics do you have extra experience in?

Philosophy of Care

While you certainly can’t cover every major child-rearing topic, this question will help you decide if your beliefs and preferences jive with those of your prospective pediatrician.

What are your thoughts on vaccinations, breastfeeding, sleep, nutrition, discipline, etc.?

Logistics

Many families are surprised by the number of doctor visits they make in the first year of life (seven well child check ups alone!). Make sure you understand how the practice handles appointments, phone calls, and after hour care and that it is a good fit for your family.

Who does newborn rounds in the hospital?
How do I schedule a well visit, and how far out will these be scheduled?
How do I schedule a sick visit, and are these same-day appointments?
Who sees my child for their well visits? Sick visits? The same doctor each time or a different one?
Do you offer early, late, and weekend appointments?
Can I reach a provider if my child has an emergency after hours?
Which tests are done on site (blood tests, throat cultures)? Which tests are done off-site (x-rays) and where?

Observations

Pay attention to your surroundings throughout your visit. Ask yourself these questions after the visit:

Was there both a sick child space and a well child space?
How was the pediatrician’s interaction with you throughout the visit?
What was your initial reaction to the pediatrician’s nurse and other staff?

Pediatrician Meet and Greets at Northside Pediatrics

At Northside Pediatrics, we offer group prenatal visits at our offices several times a month. These visits are free of charge and have no obligations attached. We would love to go over all these questions with you and help you decide if our practice is right for your family.

Call the front office to schedule your visit now.

Learning about ADHD

Thu, 11 Dec 2025 08:42:36 GMT

ADHD – A four letter word

At some point in your parenting career, you have probably heard of ADHD. These four letters bring out a variety of emotions in people – from relief at finally identifying a cause for school and home-life difficulties, to frustration of everyday coping with ADHD, even to skepticism at the validity of the diagnosis. At the end of this article series, you should have a better understanding of what these 4 letters mean and how to help your child if you think he or she struggles with ADHD.

Break it down

ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and comes in three different flavors: predominantly inattentive, predominantly hyperactive and combined type. Let’s talk about what characteristics we notice in kids with ADHD.

Inattention may look like missed details, careless mistakes, poor listening skills, forgetfulness, extreme difficulty staying organized, and inability to follow a sequence of instructions.
Hyperactivity is often more obvious. Children often fidget and squirm when they are supposed to sit still, whether it be in a classroom, a dinner table or at the movie theatre. Turn-waiting is very difficult. During conversation, they blurt out their thoughts or inappropriately interrupt others. Often these people will express that they feel like there is a motor going in their head that is in non-stop motion.
Impulsivity is another trait often associated with ADHD. Those affected act without thinking. They make decisions both important and not important without considering the consequences. A child may do something they know to be wrong or inappropriate but later say “I couldn’t help it!”

What causes ADHD?

Even after many years of research, there is no definitive cause of ADHD. From a chemical standpoint, those with ADHD may have differences in dopamine and/or norepinephrine metabolism. Research also suggests the actual connections in the brain are different in this population.

Myths and misbeliefs

ADHD is not about intelligence . Standardized testing often reveals that the child in question has an above average or even superior IQ.
ADHD is not caused by diet. There is conclusive evidence that ADHD is not related to food intake (i.e. sugar or chocolate) or a vitamin deficiency.
ADHD is not a reflection of parenting skills. ADHD is not caused by an overly strict or overly lax parent. Now clearly some parental personalities can adjust to an ADHD child personality better than others, but it is not the cause of the condition!

Next time we will discuss how ADHD is diagnosed , so stay tuned.

Diagnosing ADHD

Thu, 11 Dec 2025 08:25:07 GMT

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Unfortunately, there isn’t an easy blood test or throat swab to diagnose ADHD!!! (I promise you – we wish there was). The ADHD diagnosis is made through detailed patient and parent interviews and in-depth subjective and objective testing. Additionally, ADHD-like symptoms may be caused by or occur in conjunction with other conditions such as anxiety or depression. These conditions need to be evaluated for and ruled out as well.

ADHD symptoms must be INTERFERING with the child’s life in at least 2 different environments.

At school, ADHD can present as major behavior problems or significant academic struggles. Teachers may note difficulty with sitting during circle time or comment on “spacing out.” Many times, children rush through work or forget many questions on a worksheet. They may frequently overlook the questions on the back of a piece of paper or simply always forget to bring home the necessary materials to do homework. While all children occasionally have these behaviors, ADHD causes a distinct and consistent behavior pattern that prohibits academic progress.

Socially, a child may have difficulty making or keeping friends because they act impulsively, constantly interrupt others, or can never wait their turn.
At home, a child may be completely unable to sit at the dinner table for an age-appropriate amount of time. They may never be able to follow 3 step directions their parents ask of them.

What’s next?

So, if a teacher (or several teachers), parent, school counselor, or our older patients feels like there may be an attention, hyperactivity, or impulsivity issue, we are here to help. We first determine if there is enough concern to investigate further, then we use a combination of resources to decide if symptoms truly are ADHD.

Report cards and any standardized testing are important to assess how the child’s behavior interferes with achievement.
Vanderbilt Surveys are questionnaires with approximately 30 questions focused on easily observed behaviors and the degree of interference. Both teachers and parents complete these forms. They are not diagnostic but help guide the process.
Psychoeducational testing is an in-depth test performed by a specially trained psychologist to evaluate the student. During this several hours test, the student is asked to perform many different tasks that help determine where their strengths and weaknesses lie. This is usually considered the “gold-standard” test. This test can also diagnose learning differences like processing problems, dyslexia, and math issues along with emotional problems such as depression, anxiety, and obsessive –compulsive disorder. Unfortunately, it is often very difficult to convince the schools to provide this testing due to limited resources in the school systems. We have a list of many people in the community who provide this testing, but if it isn’t covered by insurance, which it usually is not, it can cost $1500-$3000.
PEDIA IQ test , a condensed psychoeducational test at a lesser cost, is now being offered at Northside Pediatrics for 6 to 16 year olds. It is very good at picking up children with ADHD but may not be as sensitive at identifying learning disorders, so we need to be selective in determining which children are best suited to use this evaluation. Please talk to your provider to see if your child may be a candidate for this test.

Once all the data is gathered, a consult (45-60 minute appointment) should be scheduled. We will help explain the results of any evaluations and what the proper course of action might be. We may refer you to a specialist if conditions like depression or anxiety are uncovered. Also, we tend to use a specialist in children in Kindergarten or younger. Kids under 6 can be diagnosed with ADHD but the evaluation and management is different than that of older kids. Make sure to talk to your pediatrician if you are worried about ADHD for you toddler or preschooler.

Next time we will discuss ADHD management and medications, so make sure to check back in soon!

Treating ADHD Together

Thu, 11 Dec 2025 08:16:08 GMT

ADHD treatment includes both environmental changes and sometimes medications. Optimizing the school and home environment is critical to helping kids with ADHD. For example, placing a child in the front of the classroom, using agendas or checklists, and posting visual schedules at home can make a big difference. We will also help advocate for your child if they need special instruction or more time to complete tests.

We do not recommend any special vitamins or diets as there is no scientific evidence to support these in treating ADHD. We are happy to discuss any other ideas that parents have questions about, but keep in mind we want to keep your children safe, so unless there is evidence to support the use we don’t usually recommend “experimental” ideas.

What about medications?

If non-pharmacologic interventions don’t work, we are able to discuss medicine for ADHD as long the child doesn’t have co-existing issues that need medicine like depression, anxiety or OCD. Many ADHD medicines have been around more than 50 years, have been thoroughly studied and are safe and effective. Stimulants, (such as Ritalin, Adderall, Concerta, and Vyvanse …to name just a few) are often the first line of treatment. We always start with the very lowest dose and slowly work our way up until it is effective. The most common side effects are poor appetite at lunch and sometimes difficulty falling asleep. Most patients take one pill in the morning and that’s it for the day. Sometimes we must use short acting pills for certain patients, or if a teenager needs it to help them concentrate later in the day for things like driving or night time homework.

If a patient doesn’t like how they feel or a parent feels like their child’s personality has changed in any way at all, we would try a different medicine. Through proper communication with parents and teachers, we can usually find the correct dose within 3-6 weeks. We continually follow the patient’s progress with “med check” appointments, where we monitor vital signs like weight and height and discuss the child’s progress.

There are multiple studies that show ADHD medicines are non-addictive and DO NOT cause other drug use. In fact, studies show that teenagers whose ADHD is treated are LESS LIKELY to experiment with drug use—which makes total sense since they will be less impulsive!! Also, teens with untreated ADHD often have more motor vehicle accidents. When appropriate, treating ADHD symptoms allows children to better get along with friends, siblings and parents.

Sum It All Up

Treating ADHD, whether through environmental adjustments or medications, will help a child improve their self-esteem and success at school, home and social spheres. All the providers of Northside Pediatrics want to help your child be healthy and successful in everything they do, so if you have any concerns regarding your child, please contact us.

Your Child's First Test by Dr. Allie Hill

Thu, 11 Dec 2025 08:04:21 GMT

The birth of your baby is such an exciting time – full of great anticipation as well as the inevitable worry about the health of your child! While physical problems will be evident on a first exam, other disorders require special testing to discover. So before your newborn leaves the hospital, he/she will have Newborn Screening (NBS) test performed. This testing is done after 24 hours of life. Sometimes you will hear it referred to as a Metabolic Screening Test (MST) or a PKU test, which was the first test in the program.

The Georgia Newborn Screening Program includes testing for 31 disorders. Testing babies in the first couple days of life allows your provider to discover these problems before your baby becomes ill and before any damage can be done.

Types of Screening

There are three main components of the program: blood screening, hearing screening and critical congenital heart disease testing.

Blood screening

The blood tests will look for 29 different disorders (see below for complete list) including hormone disorders, problems with processing nutrients (metabolic disorders), hemoglobin abnormalities and other inherited conditions. The disorders included are:

Beta Ketothiolase (BKT) • Cobalamin A and B Deficiency (Cbl A,B ) • Glutaric Acidemia type I • 3OH 3-CH3 Glutaric Aciduria (HMG) • Isovaleric Acidemia (IVA) • 3 Methylcrotonyl-Co A Carboxylase Deficiency (3MCC) • Multiple Carboxylase Deficiency • Methylmalonic Acidemia (MMA) • Propionic Acidemia • Carnitine Uptake Defect • Long Chain 3 hydroxyl acyl-CoA dehydrogenase Deficiency • Medium Chain acylCoA dehydrogenase Deficiency • Trifunctional Protein Deficiency • Very Long chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase Deficiency • Argininosuccinic Acidemia • Citrullinemia • Homocystinuria • Maple Syrup Urine Disease • Phenylketonuria • Tyrosinemia • Sickle Cell Disease • Sickle SC Disease • Sickle Beta Thalassemia • Biotinidase • Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia • Congenital Hypothyroidism • Cystic Fibrosis • Galactosemia

If a screen is positive, then confirmatory testing is done before a definite diagnosis is made. By discovering the disorders early, prompt treatment can begin with a medication or diet modification and/or referral to the appropriate specialist for ongoing management.

Hearing screening

The hearing screen is done on all newborns before leaving the hospital. Hearing loss is present in 3 in 1000 newborns. By detecting hearing loss at birth, interventions can be done to maximize a child’s speech and communication development. Sometimes an infant will not pass the initial hearing test due to fluid that may be present at birth. Babies who do not initially pass will have their hearing repeated in two weeks and most will pass at that time.

Heart screening

The final component of the newborn screen is testing for critical congenital heart disease . This is simply a test of their oxygen level with a light sensor placed on a toe or finger. While this won’t detect all congenital heart disease, it will pick up many of the most critical conditions that need intervention in the first week of life.

Together these three tests can detect uncommon but generally treatable conditions and allow early treatment to begin. This prompt treatment will provide the best possible outcome for your newborn.

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Northside Pediatrics' Vaccine Statement

We are sure you have seen the confusing news regarding administrators at the CDC changing the recommended vaccines for children in the U.S. We want to be 100% clear - the science around the safety, benefit, and importance of these vaccinations recommended for our children has not changed.

Food Assistance Resources

Top Doctors Again!

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Dr. Hardin advocates for vaccines at the ACIP meeting

Time for a Check Up!

Reading Lists for Tricky Topics

Flu, COVID-19 and RSV Immunization Info

Drs. Hardin, Metzig, and Philip named as Atlanta's Top Doctors!

Congratulations to Northside Peds' 2024 Top Doctors!

Join us for Walk with a Doc!

July's Walk with a Doc

Hosted by Dr. Amy Hardin

Sunday, July 9th at 1:00 pm

Patriot's Park (Located about 5 min from our Woodstock office)

1485 Kellogg Creek Rd, Acworth, GA 30102

Northside Pediatrics' Spring Updates

Northside Peds Introduces Klara - A Simplified Telemedicine Platform!

NSP Welcomes Nurse Practitioner Meredith Gillig, CPNP

Northside Pediatrics' 40th anniversary

Welcome Dr. Estroff and Dr. Thompson

NSP Accepts BCBS/ Anthem Insurance

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Park Pick-up Project

What to Ask at a Meet and Greet by Dr. Goodloe

Learning about ADHD

ADHD – A four letter word

Break it down

What causes ADHD?

Myths and misbeliefs

Diagnosing ADHD

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What’s next?

Treating ADHD Together

What about medications?

Sum It All Up

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Your Child's First Test by Dr. Allie Hill