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Child Life Specialists
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Child Life Program Inpatient Care |
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Social, Emotional & Developmental Support
The child life specialist in St. John's Pediatric Department plans activities, in the
play areas and at the bedside, to meet each child's individual needs. She encourages
children to continue normal play through activities and materials provided throughout
the hospital stay.
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Medical Play & Education
By using medical equipment, specially designed dolls, books and videos, the child life specialist helps children and teens become familiar with medical procedures and hospital routines during their stay. Medical play allows children to work through their anxiety, help clear up misconceptions, gain a sense of control and become better prepared for procedures. Children may do medical play to prepare for an I.V. start, diabetic injection, chemotherapy and drawing blood.
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Shadow Buddies are special dolls used to help children learn about their illness or injury and its treatment. They were created with the idea that children undergoing serious surgery or treatment need a "friend" that is just like them. Buddies have various diagnoses, such as asthma, diabetes, and cancer.
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Procedural Support |
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The child life specialist helps nursing staff by providing support to the child and family during a procedure or test. This support involves educating the child before the procedure in an age-appropriate manner and then helping to both relax and distract the child during the procedure.
Blowing bubbles, squeezing stress balls or magic pillows, magic wands, puppets, music, counting, deep breathing and guided imagery are used. These techniques help children and teens understand and cope with procedures while maintaining a sense of control. |
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Infant Stimulation
A child life specialist is available to provide stimulation and materials for even our littlest patients. She will develop daily developmental stimulation sessions for infants who are hospitalized for a long period. Mobiles, music and rattles are also available for parents to use.
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Massage Therapy
Massage therapy can both relax and ease pain in children. Our massage therapist is a licensed professional providing hand, feet, or back massages to the inpatient pediatric patients.
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Pet Therapy
The Pet Therapy Program takes advantage of the positive effects animals have on the emotional, social, and physical well being of children. Only specially trained and veterinarian-approved adult dogs are used for pet therapy.
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Sibling Support
As a part of the family-centered care offered at St. John's Children's Hospital, the child life program includes
services to siblings and family members. The pediatric child life specialist can spend time with other children
in the family to help them understand why their sister or brother is in the hospital. She can also arrange a visit
when a brother or sister is hospitalized in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.
Siblings of patients are given opportunities to express emotions using developmentally appropriate equipment and books, therapeutic art activities and use of hospital play areas.
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Special Events
Special programs are planned throughout the year to provide entertainment, as well as distraction,
from the daily hospital routine. These special programs are often held in the play areas, or may be
brought to each child's hospital room. In addition to pet therapy, these events include holiday
celebrations and performances by magicians, clowns and other special visitors.
For more information, call (217) 544-6464, ext. 44965.
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