CHILD LIFE SPECIALISTS (CLS)

What is a Child Life Specialist?

A Child Life Specialist is a paediatric health care professional who is especially trained to help children and their families manage stressful healthcare experiences and understand medical and various procedures. Child Life Specialists are experts in child development, who promote effective coping through play, preparation, education, and self-expression activities.

Child Life Specialists focus on the psychosocial needs of children, collaborating with parents and other member of the team to:

  • Ease a child's fear and anxiety with therapeutic and recreational play activities
  • Encourage understanding and cooperation by providing non-medical preparation and support for children undergoing tests, surgeries, and other medical procedures
  • Advocate for family-centered care
  • Engage and energize children and families by co-ordinating special events, entertainment, and activities
  • Consider the needs of siblings or other children who may also affected by a child's illness or trauma
  • Orientation tours to patient and family.
  • Support families confronting grief and bereavement issues
  • Provide education and resources for parents and members of the interdisciplinary team
  
   
   

TOP 10
REASONS TO CALL A
CHILD LIFE SPECIALIST

  1. Child / Patient needs preparation for invasive procedure.
  2. Child / Patient is having difficulty coping with a necessary procedure, i.e., crying, fighting or hiding.
  3. Child / Patient exhibits oppositional behavior, refusing to co-operate without anger or hostility.
  4. Child / Patient or siblings express specific fears to staff, needing follow up.
  5. Child / Patient is perceived by staff as withdrawn.
  6. Child / Patient is having difficulty taking meds.
  7. Child / Patient admitted having recently experienced traumatic loss or has a chronic illness (developmental delay).
  8. Child / Patient newly diagnosed with chronic illness.
  9. Child / Patient admitted for injuries resulting from traumatic accident, i.e., MVA, fire, etc.
  10. Child / Patient whose injuries or diagnosis has resulted from suspected child abuse.
  
   
   
   
عشرة أسباب لاستدعاء المساعدة
من أخصائية حياة الطفل
 
   
  1. عند احتياج الطفل / المريض الى تهيئة واستعداد نفسي لإجراء الفحوصات الطبية .
  2. عند رفض الطفل / المريض لإجراء الفحوصات الطبية الضرورية والتي قد تجعله ، يبكي ، يقاوم أو يختبئ .
  3. عندما يظهر الطفل / المريض السلوك الرافض والغير متعاون حتى ولو كان بدون غضب وعدوانية .
  4. عندما يظهر الطفل / المريض أو أحد أقربائه مخاوفه تجاه الفريق الطبي ، يستدعي ذلك المتابعة .
  5. عند ملاحظة الفريق الطبي بشعور الطفل / المريض بالانطواء والعزله.
  6. رفض الطفل / المريض تناول الأودية .
  7. عندما يتزامن دخول الطفل / المريض المستشفى مع فقدانه لشخص عزيز عليه أو يكون مصاباً بأحد الأمراض المزمنه .
  8. عند تشخيص الحالة المرضية للطفل / المريض بأنها مرض مزمن .
  9. عند دخول الطفل / المريض للمستشفى نتيجه إصابته برضوض وأذى ناجم عن تعرضه لحادث مؤلم مثل ( حادث تصادم أو حريق .... الخ ) .
  10. عند تشخيص الحالة المرضية للطفل / المريض نتيجه احتمال تعرضه لسوء معاملة أو لإضطهاد.
 
   
   
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