The child life specialist helps relieve anxiety and 压力 associated with illness for the child and the family through education, 玩, and imagery while in the emergency department. Child life services are endorsed by the American Academy of 儿科 (AAP).

The following quote is from the AAP policy on Child Life 服务:

"The child life specialist focuses on the strengths and well-being of children while promoting their optimal development and minimizing the adverse effects of children's experiences in health care or other potentially 压力ful settings."
儿科 卷. 118, No. 二六年十月四日

Child life specialists use 玩 and developmentally appropriate communication to help your child cope with 压力ful events in the following ways:

• Education for you and your child about what to expect for any necessary procedures (blood draws, 针, x射线), including teaching you ways to help your child cope with pain, 压力, 或焦虑.
• Instruction for your child on coping techniques and providing opportunity for rehearsal.
• Instruction of non-pharmacological pain management techniques, including visual guided imagery, progressive muscle relaxation, breathing exercises, 分散注意力, 和转移.
• Therapeutic 玩 activities that encourage expression of emotion and promote a sense of mastery.

For more information, please visit Child Life Program.