There are many human services professionals who work within the child welfare system to help improve the lives of those involved in that system. One such professional that assists children and families in some of their most difficult times are Certified Child Life Specialists. Certified Child Life Specialists are professionals who strive to reduce the negative impacts for children and families caused by trauma in different settings. Their training and education come from educational courses, practicums, and internships all focusing on development specific risks and interventions that will reduce the negative impacts of trauma caused by illness and hospitalization. After the appropriate courses and field experience are completed, the individual must take a board-certified exam to become a Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS). Child Life Specialists strive to reduce the adverse effects caused by hospitalization, illness, medical procedures, and bereavement by providing developmentally appropriate education and preparation to the child and family. This includes diagnosis education, information about specific upcoming medical procedures, addressing common misconceptions surrounding health care experiences, and overall education of what the child and family can expect during procedures. Preparation includes providing information about what sensations to expect for procedures, as well as engaging in role play or medical play to rehearse the procedure to ensure the child and family are aware of what to expect in terms of what they see, hear, feel, smell, and taste. Preparation can also include discussing and preparing a child and their family to deal with the death of a loved one. All these experiences can be extremely traumatic for children. Child Life Specialists also serve as interdisciplinary team members, providing updates to the child’s medical team on the child and family’s psychosocial concerns related to hospitalization or their illness. Child Life Specialists are trained to use specific developmentally appropriate honest, non-threatening language with children. By doing this, a Child Life Specialist can clear up misconceptions of the experience and hopefully reduce anxiety related to the uncertainty of what to expect. For medication or procedures that may cause a burning sensation, a Child Life Specialist may inform the child that it will feel warm, rather than burn. Child Life in hospitals and clinic settings typically have more interventions based on patient diagnosis education and supporting the child through medical procedures that can be traumatic. These procedures include, but are not limited to, port accesses for hematology and oncology patients, sutures, casting, x-rays, and irrigation of wounds for children in the emergency department, and support during blood draws. Child Life Specialists also act as a voice for the child during medical situations and procedures, advocating for the least restrictive environment and tactics to minimize the negative impacts on a child’s development.
Child Life Specialists can be found in most areas of hospitals, within children’s advocacy centers, other specialty clinics, pediatric hospice care, and a variety of other unique settings. For children who have been abused or neglected, there is a time when child welfare and Child Life can intersect. Children who are victims of abuse or neglect can become involved with the child welfare system. The child may need a forensic interview and exam. Child Life Specialists are sometimes available at Child Advocacy Centers to provide support to the child during that time. A Child Life Specialist can assist by educating the child on what to expect during the interview and exam, as well as offer age-appropriate procedural support during the physical exam. Before and after the interview and exam, the Child Life Specialist may engage the child in conversation and activities that allow time for emotional expression surrounding the appointment or event that led to the need for an advocacy center visit. These are tasks that a Child Life Specialist would perform in other settings as well to prepare a child for what to expect. Unfortunately, Child Life Specialists are not available at every hospital, clinic, or advocacy center that serves children. Child Life Specialists are a wonderful resource for children, families, as well as medical and child welfare professionals as they assist with the delicate navigation of potentially traumatic situations.
Post written by: Jamie Tilley
Comments (0)