The pediatric emergency medicine program at American Family Children's Hospital is staffed by two Child Life specialists. Child Life specialists are trained professionals with backgrounds in child life, child development, therapeutic recreation and psychology.

 

 

As an integral component of the pediatric emergency medicine program, Child Life specialists use their skills to keep children calm and parents informed in potentially difficult, traumatic situations. They help patients cope with hospitalization, diagnosis and treatment by using play, procedure preparation and support, and other elements of distraction to promote a positive hospital experience and maintain a sense of normality.

 

 

Child Life specialist Lisa Peck, who works exclusively for the pediatric emergency medicine program, says her work requires a variety of skills.

 

“There are never two situations that are the same,” Peck says. “We take all the information in – their age, why they’re there – and provide age-appropriate explanations of what their experience is going to be.”

Fellow Child Life specialist Amanda Shedeed says the her goal is to provide a more comfortable patient experience.

“A lot of times this is their first time in the hospital, so there are a lot of unknowns,” she says. “We often times use teaching tools or medical play to help make these unknowns more familiar. When children are admitted from the Emergency Department it can be an added stress for them and their families. The kids feel a lot better when they find out it’s a special place made just for them.”