What is a Child Life Specialist?
Child Life Specialists are healthcare professionals who use developmentally appropriate and evidence-based practices that include therapeutic play, preparation and education to help children and families navigate the impacts of illness, injury, disability, trauma, the death of a loved one, or hospitalization.
Benefits
of using a
Child Life
Specialist
from Child Core childcorefamilysupport.com
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child is prepared and educated on what to expect during a medial appointment or procedure
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reduced trauma, fear, or anxiety child or family members have about the medical experience
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medical jargon is broken down to age-appropriate levels for child and family members
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parents learn their child's developmental needs and develop positive parenting strategies
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child learns to advocate for themselves in medical settings
Toys as Tools: Helping kids Cope with Medical Experiences
Sami Rundo, CCLS
Nationwide Children's Hospital - Ohio
Child Life Program at Hennepin Healthcare (Minnesota)
Alyson Weiss, CCLS
Katie O'Hearn, CCLS
Sara Snuggerud, CCLS
Child Life Standards & Guidelines
From the Association of Child Life Professionals
"Children today confront a wide variety of stressful and potentially traumatic events that may overwhelm their natural ability to cope and heal. Difficult or unexpected experiences, such as chronic illness, hospitalization, the death of a loved one, or the aftermath of violent acts or natural disasters are upsetting for everyone involved. Children are particularly vulnerable, and parents or other responsible adults may feel unsure of their ability to help children to successfully understand and manage these experiences.
Because children process information from the world around them much differently than adults, they have distinct needs for managing the effects of stress and trauma. Without the assistance of a professional who understands their unique perspective, children of all ages may experience emotions such as fear, shame, confusion and loneliness, which can inhibit their natural development, and have lasting negative effects on their wellbeing.
Child life specialists are trained professionals with expertise in helping children and their families overcome life’s most challenging events, and the importance of their services has been well documented. The following are just a few resources highlighting the need for child life services in hospitals and a variety of other settings."
Read about pediatric patient and family outcomes: The Value of Certified Child Life Specialists