How We Can Help

Blood Draws and Immunizations

Child life specialists are trained to support children and families during medical procedures, such as blood draws and immunizations. Their goal is to reduce the child’s anxiety, promote coping, and ensure a more positive experience. Using techniques such as preparation using child friendly language, medical play to promote autonomy, distraction, comfort positions, pain management, and post-procedure support to address any misconceptions.

Medical and Dental Clinics

Child life in medical and dental offices refers to the use of specialized strategies and interventions aimed at reducing anxiety and stress for children during appointments or procedures. The goal is to help ensure a positive experience for the child and to help them feel more comfortable in a potentially intimidating or unfamiliar environment. By creating positive experiences in these settings specialists help to develop a sense of trust and mastery within the healthcare system.

Therapeutic and Rehabilitation Settings

In settings like rehabilitation centers, child life specialists help children adjust to physical rehabilitation, chronic illness, or injury recovery. They use play and creative interventions to normalize the medical experience, reduce anxiety, and encourage active participation in therapy sessions. The goal is to make the process as stress free as possible, helping children regain their independence and confidence.

Within the Home Environment

Child life specialists play a critical role in supporting children and families within the home environment, particularly for children facing chronic illness, medical procedures, end-of-life care, or emotional distress due to trauma or family challenges. Child life also places a focus on providing sibling support to ensure that all children are receiving the support they need. The flexibility of child life services can make a significant difference in a child’s ability to cope with difficult situations in a familiar and often less stressful environment.

Diverse Learning Abilities and ASD

Child life for children with autism and diverse learning abilities is a tailored, child-centered approach that helps reduce stress, fosters emotional well-being, and promotes communication and coping skills. By focusing on sensory needs, emotional regulation, and family-centered care, child life specialists ensure that children with autism or other developmental differences receive the support they need to thrive in challenging medical or social settings. This approach not only benefits the child but also supports families and healthcare teams in providing the best possible care.

Schools and Educational Environments

Child life specialists are increasingly being integrated into schools to support children dealing with grief, bullying, behavioural challenges, or academic stress. By offering both one on one sessions and group activities, they can help children navigate difficult emotions, enhance social skills, and build resilience in the classroom. Child life specialists also help to support children transitioning to or from school due to illness, injury, or life change.

Community Based Settings

In community centres, recreational programs, or after school initiatives, child life specialists can provide emotional support and guidance for children facing life transitions or trauma. Through therapeutic activities, one on one and group play, specialists can help children develop coping skills, improve emotional regulation, promote autonomy, and foster a sense of community.

Hospice and End of Life

Child life specialists work with children and their families in healthcare settings, including hospice and end-of-life care, to help children understand, cope with, and find meaning during what can be a very difficult time. The role of child life in hospice and end-of-life care is multifaceted and focused on providing emotional support, helping children process complex feelings, and maintaining a sense of normalcy and dignity for both the child and their family.

Foster Care and Adoption Settings

The field of child life in foster care and adoption settings is incredibly valuable in helping children and families navigate the complex emotional landscape of trauma, loss, and new beginnings. Through therapeutic play, emotional support, attachment-building strategies, and family education, child life specialists support children as they heal, adapt, and ultimately thrive in their new environments.

Judicial Settings

Child life specialists are increasingly being recognized for their ability to support children in judicial or court settings, particularly in cases involving child abuse, custody disputes, and other legal proceedings where children may be directly or indirectly involved. Child life specialists use their expertise in emotional support, communication, and coping strategies to add incredible value in the context of the justice system.