Sunrise Children’s Hospital Child Life Services
Hospitalization, medical procedures, illness, and pain are often fearful for children of all ages. Support and assistance to help patients and their families deal with these stresses is provided through Child Life Services.
Child Life Specialists provide therapeutic play opportunities, incorporating actual medical equipment, to help children gain a sense of control in the hospital environment. Using play, education and self-expression, specialists promote psychosocial well-being and optimum development. They also provide developmentally appropriate teaching and preparation regarding medical and surgical procedures. Our specialists will also assist patients and families in identifying and using coping mechanisms to reduce the stress related to hospitalization.
Surgery is an unfamiliar experience for children’s teens and their families. Child Life Services offers a preparation program free of charge. The program is designed to familiarize the child and family with the anticipated surgical experience, thereby reducing anxiety. When children have an accurate understanding of what to expect that are less anxious, more willing to cooperate and have less difficulty at home before and after the procedure.
Child Life Services also tends to the needs of each child’s family through educational and support services, including:
- Sibling support, to help them understand a brother’s or sister’s illness
- Special events and holiday celebrations
- Sibling preparation for visitation to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit
- Child development information and programming.
- Support or distraction for children undergoing anxiety provoking procedures
As trained professionals, each specialist holds a bachelor’s or master’s degree in the areas of child life, child development, or a related field. Specialists are also professionally certified by the Certifying Commission of the Child Life Council.
Child Life Services can be contacted at (702) 731-8961
;){kind=link}