What is the Role of a Child Life Specialist

A child life specialist is a certified professional who works with children and their families to reduce the stress and anxiety of being in the hospital. One of the most important roles of a child life specialist is teaching a child about their diagnosis in a way the child can understand. Child life specialists also explain methods and medical terms, provide emotional support during procedures, and make sure children are on track developmentally. Some of the ways a child life specialist can support you and your child are:

• Getting ready for tests or procedures.
• Coping and distraction.
• Behavioral Interventions (e.g., reward good behavior; prevent negative behavior).
• Family support, including support for brothers and sisters.
• “Play” that fits your child’s level of understanding.
• Therapeutic play (e.g., role-playing and storytelling).
• Medical play (e.g., playing doctor with dolls, using syringes in water play, or letting children play with medical equipment).
• Support for grief and loss.

How can a child life specialist help my child?

When your child is sick, their normal activities and relationships are disrupted. This can lead to fear and stress. Child life specialists use techniques called therapeutic interventions to help reduce stress and anxiety for your child. They also help by giving your child opportunities for normal day-to-day activities. Some examples are:

• Patient stories/scrapbooking.
• Video diaries.
• Photo projects.
• Self-esteem building.
• Sticker charts for behavior.
• Deep breathing.
• Giving choices.
• Letting the child have some control over the situation.

How can you support your child?

Before and During Tests or Procedures

When you are supporting your child before or during a test or procedure, it is important to be honest, positive, and encouraging. Pay attention to how your child reacts and reassure them. Children do well when their feelings have been acknowledged. Speaking in a calm and quiet voice is helpful.

Getting your child ready for what to expect in the hospital or clinic is important because it:

• Lowers fear and anxiety.
• Clears up misconceptions.
• Builds trust between you, your child, and the medical team.
• Gives your child a sense of control because they are a part of their care.

Using Language Your Child Can Understand

When talking with your child, it is important to know how easily language can be misinterpreted. Child life specialists are trained to not use certain words or to make clear how the words are used in the medical field. This helps your child have a better sense of medical terms and what they mean. Some examples of these words are:

• Shot or IV.
• Put to sleep.
• Dye.
• Burning.
• Pain medicine.
• Taking blood.
• Flush.

Connecting with Your Child

Child life specialists use a friendly approach to try and connect with your child by learning their interests and by being consistent. Many of the techniques that child life specialists use depend on a child’s age or developmental level. You can take cues from them to help support your child when they are not around.

Future of Child Life Specialists

Child life specialists are largely found in children’s hospitals. As the field grows, child life specialists may become available in all medical settings that involve children. Having a child life specialist can help the whole team to meet the emotional, developmental, and cultural needs of children and their families.