| Home | Pediatrics at AAMCChild Life SpecialistA trip to the emergency room or a hospital stay can be scary for a child. That's why AAMC recently implemented its Child Life Department, with a specialist on staff in our Pediatric Unit dedicated to interacting with the patients, helping them cope with the stress and uncertainly of illness, injury and hospitalization.What is a Child Life Specialist?A child life specialist is a trained professional, credentialed by the Child Life Council, who works to ensure that life remains as normal as possible for children in the health care setting. A trip to the hospital can overwhelm a child's natural ability to cope and heal. This can lead to feelings of fear, confusion and isolation. In addition, it can affect a child's future attitude toward medical care.These specialists promote effective coping through play, self-expression activities, and age-appropriate medical education. As advocates of family-centered care, child life specialists work in partnership with parents, doctors, nurses, social workers and others to meet the unique emotional, developmental and cultural needs of each child and family. Services provided by Child Life Specialists include:
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