Child Life Services
Child Life Services at Niswonger Children’s
Child life specialists at Niswonger Children’s Hospital are certified professionals who:
- Help prepare children for procedures
- Help them express fear or anxiety related to their hospital experience
- Provide opportunities for normal growth and development through play
The Child Life Services team is committed to making the hospital experience as positive as possible – for both patients and families.
Education, preparation & support
Our Child Life Services providers and team offer:
- Activities and explanations children can understand, including therapeutic play and interventions and medical play – to promote coping skills and foster continued growth and development
- Procedure and surgery preparation and support, as well as coping education and pain management before, during and after stressful events such as IV starts, blood draws, MRIs or surgery
- Advocacy for family-centered care through family and sibling support, including sibling visits for long-term or critically ill patients
- Coordinated holiday celebrations
- Visits from community groups
- Pet therapy and special visitor events
- Education on growth, development and reactions to hospitalizations
- Support and preparation to return to school after an extended hospital stay or a change in physical appearance