Parenting Children with Health Issues and Special Needs Archives - Association for the Wellbeing of Children in Healthcare

Our Stripy Baby – review

1 December, 202015 February, 2016 by AWCH

Written by Gillian Shields and illustrated by Paula Metcalf
Macmillan children’s books, 2006. ISBN 1405022108.

Our stripy baby, written for young children, is essentially a story about embracing differences.

Get ready for a splash of colour and an imaginative tale about a family of made-up creatures with spots – the Moon family. There’s daddy Moon, mummy Moon, Zara Moon and soon to be born, baby Moon. Young readers are taken on a journey with this endearing family and Zara can’t wait for the arrival of the new baby. She tells friend Molly, “our baby will be just like your brother Max”.

“One, two, three, four”, there are now four family members but there is something wrong. Zara faces strong feelings of disappointment, sadness and even anger. Zara wants to know why baby Zack has stripes not spots. She wants to take him back.

Mummy Moon is reassuring, “He’s our baby”, and Daddy Moon affirms, “He’s got a lovely smile”. Zara is sad and cuddles Mummy Moon. Why is her brother different? At the park Zara thinks people might stare and so she doesn’t even want to play. Attempts to change Zack by wrapping him in a long spotty scarf lead to frustration. Mummy Moon and Daddy Moon explain he is beautiful. They don’t want to change Zack. He is just different.

“One, two, three, four”, there are now four happy people in the Moon family. The story finishes with reassurance and a new beginning. Zara discovers more about Zack and finds a way to show she’s sorry. She draws something that looks like Zack’s beautiful stripes – a rainbow.

I recently read Our stripy baby to a group of young children at story time, they clearly enjoyed the warm illustrations and comforting family theme. This picture book features an engaging mix of single and two page illustrations filled with colour, humour and gentle expression. Children found it fun to count with repetition “one, two, three, four” and look for the Moon family. Among the group were two children who didn’t have long to wait for a new baby in their families and so the child care teacher had much to chat about with the children afterwards.

Keeping Kids’ Needs in the Picture – resource

17 December, 20203 June, 2015 by AWCH

When it comes to medical imaging why won’t kids just smile for the camera? Children have trouble staying still at the best of times and when feeling unwell, unfamiliar experiences can become especially daunting. Their parents are often anxious too, about their child’s health and radiation risks. As children can have increased risks from radiation exposure so it’s important that scans are completed with a minimum number of takes. So how do we get kids to comply?

Paediatric hospitals have the benefit of staff who are trained and experienced with kids. Many employ Child Life Therapists specifically to prepare children for procedures like scans and help them to develop coping strategies. University trained Child Life Therapists have extensive knowledge of both child development and medical procedures. This places them in a unique position to bring the two together as harmoniously as possible.

But what about the non-paediatric facilities where staff are trained for, and treat, mostly adults? In 2012 The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists approved a new policy on Paediatric Imaging to guide those clinicians in how to limit radiation, trauma and possible pain to children in their care. It is also recommended reading for parents wanting to understand the options for children but please note the ages mentioned are a guide only. Younger children have achieved successful scans without sedation and appropriate preparation. For further research read here: Minimising the use of anaesthesia / sedation in paediatric imaging and radiotherapy : The role of play therapy and patient education or if you want quick information, see our tips below …

When your child needs a scan: How you can navigate these potential pitfalls.

1) RADIATION:

Check with the doctor: is the scan necessary? Is it need immediately? Are there any alternatives with less radiation?

If booking with a private radiology practice for a non-urgent scan, ask if Radiography staff have experience with children. How, specifically, do they help kids with scans? If you don’t feel assured of a child friendly approach, then shop around (if possible).

2) INJECTIONS:

Check in advance whether the scan requires an injection of contrast. This will allow you to prepare your child for every aspect of their treatment.
If yes, then request a numbing cream such as Emla or LMX4 be used.
Is your child needle phobic? Discreetly let the staff know. If child life therapists are not available, try distracting your child with a book, game, or reassuring words.

3) SEDATION:

There are instances where it’s necessary to sedate children, either to avoid pain or because zero movement can occur.

Check the necessity for sedation, which type, and the risks associated.
Prepare your child for having that type of sedation
If general anaesthetic will be used, prepare your child for an overnight hospital stay.

4) BREATH HOLDS:

Is your child required to perform breath holds for their scan? These are generally needed for abdominal and chest scans. Learning this skill in advance of scanning helps the radiographer get the pictures they need. This means less retakes and less radiation.
Take the time to coach your child in breath holding in advance. Try to make it fun by doing it in the bath or pool, using counting games and blowing bubbles.

5) WAITING LISTS:

Non-urgent scans at paediatric hospitals may involve waiting lists. If you’d like the scan sooner ask your referring doctor if it can be done by another hospital or clinic. Consider your options in consultation with them.

For further assistance with preparing children for scans and injections, or appropriate distraction techniques during those procedures, contact Child Life Therapy at your child’s hospital. If attending a private clinic you can consult a Child Life Therapist in private practice.

Blog written by: Renee Campbell

Renee Campbell is a university trained, registered Child Life Therapist with the Australian Child Life Therapy Association (ACLTA) and a member of the ACLTA Certification Committee.

Renee has over 7 years’ experience as a Child Life Therapist (formerly Play Therapist) at the Sydney Children’s Hospital Randwick (SCH) where she helped establish their MRI Play Therapy program. In that time she conducted research into children’s coping in medical imaging and helped children as young as 4yrs old to have their scans without anaesthetic.

Currently, Renee remains employed at SCH part-time in the Medical Day Unit assisting children and adolescents to cope with invasive procedures. She also has a private practicehelping children with healthcare needs and parents of newborns with sleep guidance.

Extreme parenting: parenting your child with a chronic illness

20 October, 20207 November, 2013 by AWCH

By Sharon Dempsey
London, Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2008. ISBN 9781843106197.

Written in a thoughtful and calm manner, Extreme parenting is a book that will support parents and families of children living with chronic illness. The book aims to identify areas of common concern to families and to develop an approach that will encourage children to develop and lead a full life. Parents who read Extreme parenting will gain insight into the author Sharon Dempsey’s experience of parenting her young son Owen through hospitalisations, returning to school, family life, medical necessities and home care. Quotes from other parents who have children with chronic illnesses also add depth and a personal dimension. Although written in a British context, the experiences are also relevant to Australian families. Communication strategies and advocacy are common themes throughout the book.

Extended families and close friends will find this book helpful in developing an understanding of what supportive care means. People genuinely wanting to help can gain insight into areas where they may be able to assist, depending on the needs of the family. It was thought provoking to read about how helping the siblings and parents in daily life will also benefit the child who has a chronic illness.

The section on schooling is important. It draws attention to the role school plays in academic learning as well as social interaction and friendships. Children need understanding and to feel like they are included. A child who is chronically ill and has repeated hospitalisations may experience fear and anxiety on return to school. Teachers and students who are prepared and understand about the child’s illness are in a better position to make returning to school a more positive experience for everyone. Dempsey gives examples as to why teachers may be reluctant to have a child with a chronic illness in their class. She also draws on her family’s experience to provide examples of how Owen’s teachers and friends enabled Owen to feel part of his school life even when away from school. Parents can advocate for their child and foster understanding within the school by providing information and updates.

Medical professionals who read Extreme parenting will be able to think about the child within the context of their family as well as the role parents play in doing the best for their child within the healthcare environment and at home. The aim is to help parents do the best job they can so that the child is given the best possible care. Some of the psychological issues facing families and the role of the child in participation in treatment decisions is considered. Adolescents, in particular, will benefit from taking part in decisions about treatment and care plans. Special considerations regarding privacy, peers etc. are also relevant to adolescent development and hospital care.

For families who have a child with a terminal illness, there is a section on hospice or palliative care. This chapter is written in a compassionate and supportive manner.

Find at the end of each chapter Action points that will review the main themes and direct readers into action. These pointers are helpful reminders and make organising easier. Contact organisations, reference and bibliography lists at the back, not only show the book is well researched but guide readers to other interesting resources.

Extreme parenting is a book written to benefit families with a child with a chronic illness. As growing numbers of families find themselves meeting challenges addressed in this book, our communities will gain much needed awareness by reading this book and others like it.

Reviewed by Jillian Rattray
AWCH Librarian
November, 2013

My friend with Autism

21 October, 202030 April, 2013 by AWCH

My friend with Autism

Enhanced edition with free CD of coloring pages

Written by Beverly Bishop, illustrated by Craig Bishop

Future Horizons, Texas, 2011.

My friend with autism is written in a friendly tone and there are bright illustrations throughout. It is essentially written for school children to encourage better understanding and knowledge of peers with autism. The story is narrated from a child’s perspective and begins with “I have a friend with autism. He is good at many things”. The friend with autism is described in a positive manner and the theme of friendship is developed.

The book addresses sensory sensitivity, communication differences, playtime and provides children with an example of what this might be like for a child with autism.

The setting is at school and teachers who have this book at hand can read it to develop student understanding through the example of the narrator, “I can help him by showing him how well I sit quietly”.

Adults will be able to refer to the section at the end of the book with page-by-page notes and helpful thumbprint illustrations for further information and overview.

Find also 18 symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder, 10 Quick strategies for helping a child with Autism and Recommended reading, with thumbprints of book covers. The accompanying CD contains additional colouring pages of material from the book.

Review by:

Jillian Rattray

AWCH Librarian

April 2013

Book Review: Extraordinary Parenting

21 October, 202028 February, 2013 by AWCH

‘Extraordinary Parenting’ is a helpful manual written for parents who have children with chronic physical or medical conditions. The book is set out in a readable format with clearly presented information. You will find simple illustrations, photographs and a bibliography. In addition, it is written in an Australian context.

Ordinary children are faced with extraordinary circumstances and in the book parents are given psychosocial information to support their children. Topics covered are varied and range from looking at a child’s psychological and emotional world to experiences such as hospitalisation, medication taking, sleep overs and camps or life in the school playground. Extraordinary parenting encompasses child development stages and age appropriate information for up to early teens. There is an emphasis on raising awareness of what a child and family may be experiencing whilst looking at important emotions such as anxiety, self-perception and depression. Parents are encouraged to focus on their “best intentions” rather being caught up in guilt. Find an abundance of practical information, for example throughout the manual at the end of each chapter, readers will find the heading “Psychological protection : what you can do”. Children and families can build understanding and develop skills for good self-esteem and resilience.

The author draws on her experience of over 20 years from working children, adolescents and adults in the fields of psychology, social work and literature. Dr Bruce works in private practice at the Emotional Health Centre, Cheltenham, Victoria. Extraordinary parenting can be viewed online in chapter format and/or purchased at: http://www.emotionalhealthcentre.com.au/page.php?id=557

The AWCH library holds two copies and both are available for loan.



Extraordinary parenting : protecting self-esteem and minimising depressive outcomes in pre-adolescent children who have significant medical or physical conditions (Cover title: Extraordinary parenting : a manual for parents of children aged 0-12 with chronic physical or medical conditions). Emotional Health Centre, Cheltenham, VIC. 2007, 168 p. ISBN 9780980420609. By Dr Elizabeth J. Bruce PhD, edited by Dr Cynthia L. Schultz, illustrations by Colin Bruce Subjects: Chronic diseases in children – Psychological aspects. Chronically ill children – Family relationships. Chronically ill children – Education. Chronic disease – In infancy & childhood.

Review by:

Jillian Rattray

AWCH Librarian

Our Stripy Baby – review

Keeping Kids’ Needs in the Picture – resource

Extreme parenting: parenting your child with a chronic illness

My friend with Autism

Book Review: Extraordinary Parenting

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