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The Pediatric Gastroenterology Program, part of Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital at NYU Langone, hosts events and workshops to help children—and their families—adapt to living with gastrointestinal conditions, such as celiac disease. Our free events are held periodically throughout the year and are open to children 6 to 11 years old and their families.
Children 3 to 7 years old, as well as their siblings and caregivers, are invited to join the Silly Yak Club, a supportive program for children adjusting to life with celiac disease. We play games, read books, create artwork, and enjoy lots of gluten-free snacks. Prizes are available as well, and everyone receives an official Silly Yak Club membership card.
Our fifth-annual Family Education Day was also our first event hosted entirely online. Participants learned how to make pizza using a rice crust and attended multiple expert panels. Speakers included members of the Pediatric Gastroenterology Program care team, including senior social worker Monique Armstrong, MSW, LCSW; child life specialist Alyssa Pettingill, MS, CCLS; registered dietitian Ayelet Goldhaber, MS, RD; and pediatric gastroenterologist Bridget D. Kiernan, MD. Juliana Kennedy, MD, an NYU Grossman School of Medicine second-year resident, also joined the discussion. Presentations included the following:
During our fourth annual Family Education Day, children and their families joined us for activities that included hands-on taste-testing, a Jeopardy-style education competition, and a nutritional support session for caregivers. Presentations included the following:
Children and their families joined us for our third annual Family Education Day. Some of the day’s events included hands-on cooking demonstrations, educational games, and a support session for caregivers. Presentations included the following:
The Silly Yak Club celebrated fall by playing games and making gluten-free candied apples, fall wreaths, and more.
The Silly Yak Club celebrated its second birthday to wrap up summer with cupcakes, ice cream, and s’mores.
Children participated in our own version of summer camp fun. We served S’Mac dinner, made summer camp crafts, and put together special fire-free, gluten-free s’mores.
Children and their families joined us for our second annual Family Education Day. Events included educational children’s activities, including a cooking class and a hands-on science fair, a provider self-care demonstration for parents and caregivers, and personal stories of parent transitions before, during, and after diagnosis. Guest speakers included Ivor Hill, MD, section chief of pediatric gastroenterology, hepatology, and nutrition and director of the Celiac Disease Center at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, and Theresa Morelli of the Sylvia Center. Watch Dr. Hill's presentation.
Children and their families joined us in February for games, gluten-free snacks, and tons of Silly Yak fun.
Families learned how to create delicious and easy-to-make gluten-free meals. Our cooking classes are run by the Pediatric Celiac Disease and Gluten-Related Disorders Program in collaboration with Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital’s Robinson Family S.Q.U.A.S.H. (Smart choices, Quality ingredients, Unique, Appetizing, Simple, and Healthy) Program, and the Sylvia Center.
Children and their families joined us on September 18, 2016, for our first Family Education Day. Events included educational children’s activities, including cooking demonstrations and crafts, a provider self-care demonstration for parents and caregivers, and personal stories of parent transitions before, during, and after diagnosis. Presentations included the following: