About Complex Child



Complex Child is a monthly online magazine written by parents of children with special healthcare needs and disabilities.  It is intended to provide medical information, along with personal experiences, in simple language that other parents can understand.  Articles are on a wide variety of topics ranging from basic information on medical conditions and treatments to advice on how to beat insurance company denials. 

Complex Child E-Magazine was founded in 2008 by Susan Agrawal, a parent of a child with complex medical needs.  There seemed to be a great need among parents to have a body of information about complex medical issues in language without medical jargon.

We recognize that parents usually know best when it comes to children with complex medical needs or disabilities.  At Complex Child, we are trying to assemble the collective knowledge of parents to help each other through this journey.  It is our hope that the articles published here will help parents give their children the best possible quality of life and medical care. 

About the Editor

Susan Agrawal, the editor of Complex Child, is the parent of Karuna, a child with many special medical needs.  Karuna is diagnosed with cerebral palsy secondary to hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, dysautonomia and autoimmune disease, and has many other diagnoses, including pancreatitis, dysmotility, GERD, visceral hyperalgesia, laryngomalacia and other respiratory issues, visual impairment, neurogenic bladder and voiding dysfunction, vision impairment, and orthopedic issues.  She has a GJ tube, a central line, is 100% TPN (IV nutrition) dependent, is on oxygen, and caths and uses a foley at night.

Susan holds a PhD in musicology and used to serve on the faculty of a top research university in the Chicago area.  She currently cares for Karuna and her typically developing children Sameer and Neena.


About the Assistant Editor

Shannon Gonsalves is blessed to be the mother of two wonderful children, Hannah (6) and Caleb (3).  She originally came searching for information and support on children with complex medical needs due to Caleb's ongoing medical issues.  He was born premature and had a difficult NICU stay after birth.  Caleb has struggled with on-going feeding difficulties and GI conditions since birth.  At 17 months of age, a NG tube was placed and he finally began to grow at an almost typical rate.  After eight months of the NG tube, it became very clear that he had no desire to eat and the decision to place a G-tube was made.  Since December of 2006, Caleb has been tube fed and is finally thriving!  He has been diagnosed with GERD, Dysphasia (two phases) with penetration and suspected aspiration, Dysmotility of his esophagus, stomach and colon, oral and feeding aversion, and Sensory Processing Disorder.  Caleb also has some developmental delays and struggles with chronic visceral pain.  
 
Shannon holds a BA in childhood development and has her K-8 teaching certificate.  She currently teaches 6th grade students on a half-time basis, sharing her classroom with another teacher.  Shannon enjoys working half-time, giving her the opportunity to be home more often.  Hannah is currently a lively typically developing kindergartner and Caleb is at the developmental pre-school.  When she's not caring for her children, she enjoys hosting several forums on a parent support site for families of children with special needs.