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Child Life: The New Generation

Article from Light Spinner Quarterly Magazine for Child Life Specialists (March 2011 Issue)

©Sarah Mendivel

If you asked the average adult how they feel about hospitals, you’d likely get the same reaction of fear, disgust, or disdain. Ever wonder where that reaction comes from? They were once scared children, hospitalized for a tonsillectomy, broken bone, or other serious aliment. It shouldn’t be a mystery, then, to find that these adults have children with similar fears of medical procedures. What if we supported an entire generation of children through scary medical procedures? What if ever child had a ChildLife Specialist to explain why they you are in the hospital, what was about to happen, and then process your emotional and physical state afterwards. My guess is that in 20 years, when those children grew into adults who were asked the same questions about hospitals, their reaction would be far less inclined to the dramatic, and more neutral. We can all think of a time we wish we had a Child Life Specialist at our side.

To understand the Child Life of today, a brief glimpse at its history is prescribed. During the early 20^th century, in an age where so little was known about the psychological effects of the hospitalization of children, a catalyst of empathy was derived. In 1938, Emma Plank, an Austrian-born educator and former pupil of Anna Freud, relocated to the United States from Vienna. She pursued a Master’s degree in child development at prestigious Mills College before moving to Cleveland, Ohio in 1951. Plank studiously assumed the role of director at the Children’s House of University Hospital, which would later be named Hanna Perkins School.

Meanwhile, Nobel Laureate Dr. Frederick C. Robbins was administering a children’s TB unit at the City Hospital’s Toomey Pavilion in Cleveland. The Toomey Pavilion, a building dedicated to the treatment of contagious disease, was serving dozens of children in need of inpatient and outpatient services. Dr. Robbins took note of the interminable desolation that these hospitalized children were appointed to, and thought it would benefit them to recruit someone that could galvanize their environment. So, in 1955, Dr. Robbins extended an invitation to Emma Plank to City Hospital (now MetroHealth) to participate in the landmark creation of a “Child Life” program. After seeing the success of providing child-friendly developmental, emotional, and psychological support to hospitalized children, Plank’s practices began to spread. During her practices, she authored Working With Children in Hospitals in 1962, and co-founded the Association for the Care of Children’s Health (ACCH) in 1965. Plank continued to lead the Child Life program at City hospital until 1972.

During the 1970’s, a Child Life committee and task force were created to actualize professional standards and accreditation for budding Specialists to adhere to. By now, Child Life practices had spread nationwide, and into the borders of Canada. In 1982, the Child Life Council was born, and with it, over 200 members boasted a partnership. Since then, the field has abounded into 3,000 plus members, contrived professional credentialing, has been recognized by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and has begun to reach into atmospheres outside of the hospital. For such a young field, the augmentation of accomplishment has been impressive.

Today, Child Life Specialists come into practice destined by a standardization of professional requirements, and a unique sense of duty. Beyond the required degree of a Child Life related field (psychology, child development, etc.), a 480 hour clinical internship, and certification, a Specialist is hoped to retain a list of specialized internal ingredients. Resiliency, adaptability, empathy, optimism and patience are anticipated affections of an ideal candidate.  The responsibilities of a modern day Specialists have flourished into an anthology of roles; including that of an educator, counselor, advocate, and amateur medical transcriber. “You play a different role in each department you cover,” remarked Kimberly Grettum, Certified Child Life Specialist of Sunrise Children’s Hospital in Nevada, “Each unit has its own personality and needs. It makes everyday a special kind of experience.” Ultimately, a Specialist’s chief occupation is to lessen a child’s anxiety and apprehension about the hospital by providing support and education to the patient and his/her family. This is essentially realized by varying methods of play therapy, sibling support, comfort in grief, and a re-energizing of the family spirit.

So, who makes up this charismatic group of Child Life Specialists? In a 2008 survey conducted by the Child Life Council, it was determined that the average age of a Child Life Specialist was 31 years old and made upwards of $40,000 a year.

The current generation of Child Life Specialists has become a global one. With programs now blooming in Japan and Norway, it is no surprise that the average Specialist is willing to sometimes move thousands of miles away in pursuit of their dream position.  The insurgence of technology has also constituted new customs in the field. Betsy Tran, a California based certified Child Life Specialist, notes that a major difference in the newer generation of Specialists is their use of interventions, “ Specialist coming into the field now-a-days may be able to relate to a child differently than before,” she observes, “for instance, my favorite distraction tool is the iPad!” An iPad was inconceivable during the 1950’s, informing us that the culture of children has inevitably transformed since the time of Emma Plank, and arousing  the demand that Child Life change with it. Sarah Mendivel, MS, Child Life, has started the first child life specialist magazine this year!

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, persons unemployed for a year or more rose exponentially from 645,000 in 2007 to 4.5 million in 2010. In a field that is already highly competitive to enter into, the current recession hasn’t made for a promising boost in Child Life jobs. Due to Child Life being a “non-billable” field, it is usually at the unfortunate forefront of hospital cut backs. Because of a lack in positions, many certified Specialists have pursued careers in alternative fields, such as nursing or therapy. Bernadette Pelayo, C.C.L.S. , C.I.M.T. works as an licensed occupational therapist at Gallagher Pediatric Therapy in Fullerton, CA. She explains,” I use my knowledge of Child Life to educate children according to their developmental level while I'm treating them.” She credits her studies,” I have a better understanding of how important education and parental support can be when treating a child. It takes the support of the whole team to benefit a child's well-being.”

With the struggle of maintaining sizable teams, and managing limited budgets, Child Life Specialists can often incur the infamous “burnout”.  Many programs exist with the generous aid of grants and donations. Despite the red tape and monetary insufficiencies, a young field continues to thrive by continuously stating their value in health care.

With an unceasing interest by prospective students, Child Life is rapidly becoming the new “it” field. “There is nothing more rewarding than knowing you made that family’s life just a tiny bit easier by validating and supporting them through their experiences,” shares Tina Aguilera, C.C.L.S.. As the field matures, a standardization of care is anticipated. At present, an extensive list of work forces and committees has been formed by the Child Life Council to ensure such commands are met. Pelayo comments, “The hope for the future is to spend more time participating in meaningful interventions, and less time advocating for our existence.” This reverie may be closer to a reality, as the new generation of passionately curious and energetic Specialists defines what is already an astonishingly necessary field. For more information, visit LightSpinnerQuarterly.org

Occupational Therapy Jobs: Profile of a Profession

Occupational Therapist – by Sarah Mendivel

Occupational therapy is a therapeutic discipline that promotes physical, developmental, and cognitive health by employing treatments that improve a patient’s everyday activities, or, occupation. Occupational therapists concentrate largely on an individual’s sensory system [link] and use of fine motor skills, such as writing [link]. OT’s work in a multitude of environments and with all age groups, including infants to senior citizens.

To become an occupational therapist, a master’s degree is required Occupational Therapy. Occupational Therapists need to be licensed in the state they practice and may be certified through the National Board for Certifying Occupational Therapy. Course work for Occupational Therapists usually include research methods, evidence-based practices, assistive technology, and early intervention.

In 2010, the median salary for a licensed Occupational Therapist was $77,320 a year (www.bls.gov). Employment of occupational therapists in medical, rehabilitation, and early intervention settings is expected to increase 33 percent from 2010 to 2020.

Speech-Language Pathologist Jobs: Profile of a Profession

Speech-Language Therapist – by Sarah Mendivel

Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs), or Speech Therapists, treat and diagnose swallowing and communication disorders in patients of all ages.  Speech Therapists are skilled experts in the physical and cognitive system of communication and feeding (e.g. ears, esophagus, attention, memory). A speech therapist can be involved with the evaluation, treatment, and counseling of speech and feeding disorders.

Speech-Language Pathologists often require a master’s degree in speech therapy and state licensing through the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Graduates may work in the hospital, rehabilitation, or early intervention environment.

In 2010, the median salary for a Speech-Language Pathologist was $66,920 per year (www.bls.gov). There is an expected employment growth of 23 percent from 2010 to 2020

Physical Therapy Jobs: Profile of a Profession

Physical Therapist – by Sarah Mendivel

Physical Therapists are experts in the evaluation and treatment of impairments and disabilities of mobility. Physical Therapists also aid in pain management of chronic and acute sufferers. PTs work in a myriad of environments including nursing homes, the hospital, rehabilitation clinics, and early intervention.

Becoming a Physical Therapist requires, at minimum, a master’s degree in physical therapy and state licensing through the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE). Common course work may include anatomy & physiology, kinesiology, and exercise physiology.

In 2010, the median salary for a Speech-Language Pathologist was $76,310 per year (www.bls.gov). The field of physical therapy has an expected employment growth of 39 percent from 2010 to 2020.

Blog Post:

Physical Therapy in the Pediatric Hospital Setting: Ideas to Get Moving - by Sarah Mendivel

When kiddos are hospitalized for any amount of time, they can suffer from decreased endurance. Children are used to being busy bees around their homes. They often climb furniture, run around the yard, and play at the park.

Hospitalized children are confined to their beds and lack exposure to their daily routines. A physical therapist can help a child’s body obtain the coveted activity it craves. Infuse floor games or sing a melody that involves a child to move their arms in order to participate.

Decreased strength and breathing issues can also be caused by prolonged bed time. Lying flat in bed all day can cause the lungs to collect fluid (pneumonia). Physical therapists have a natural knack for inspiring movement, which can benefit children far beyond the smile they flash when dancing around in bed.