United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Hi, I have a friend who is a child life specialist at a local children's hospital. She asked me if we ever had services from one at TCH. I had never really thought about it. Have any of you encountered a Child Life Specialist while at TCH? Just wondering what kinds of services they provided and if you thought it helped your child. My friend found a phone number for them at TCH, thought I might call and find out what services they provide - just wondered if anyone had first-hand experience.
Thanks,
Sheri and Joshua

I looked on the TCH website and found this information about the Child Life Staff...

http://www.texaschildrenshospital.org/C ... e/Main.htm

This was our experience....

When Maia had mod quad they came around with some crafts for her to do from her bed.

A woman was also there in the splinting room blowing bubbles and had books and such.

same thing for her next surgery. They kind of help out to make your child's stay a little more fun or help with distraction techniques when something has to be done.

They were really nice women. I'd call on them again next time.

We were just at TCH last week and our 11 yr. old son had surgery. We requested a child life specialist prior to the surgery. She gave him (and us) a tour of the surgical area (holding room and a room just outside the OR that has surgical equipment in it.) She showed him the IV and explained that it would be put in after he was asleep. She also showed him the mask that they use to administer the sleep-inducing gas and she let him smell all the flavors that they use to cover the gas smell. He picked peppermint.

I think it was very helpful not only to him but to Mom and Dad. I suppose what they do is determined by the age of the child as well as that particlular child's needs. It's worth it to ask.

Good luck!
Sharon

It was our experience that they would be most helpful for an older child but they seem to irritate katie for her three surgeries (5.5 months, 11.5 months and 16 months) But I saw them help a child about 3 or 4 that could not speak English.

Our experience with Michaela was wonderful.Heidi gave Michaela a tour of all the places she would go on surgery day, the waiting room,the play room waiting for surgery, picked out what she could ride to the operating room, showed her the masks the doctors and nurses would be wearing and gave her one, let her pick out what flavor sleepy air she'd get and just really made a connection with Michaela. Michaela is 5. On the day of surgery, Heidi, the child life specialist we had, came to the toy room and talked with Michaela and noticed how nervous she was getting and helped her calm down a little. She put a doctors mask and surgical cap and ID bracelet like Michaelas on her baby doll she was taking with her into surgery and wrapped baby doll like an eggroll in Michaela's favorite blanket and then walked with us to the operating room area when it was time.When we had to leave her at those doors,she was being clingy, so Heidi put on her mask and went with her to the operating room and helped her get her sleepy air. Michaela reported to me that Heidi gave her sleepy air and they operated on her sitting up!LOL Also during the initial consult she gave Michaela a coloring book/photo album to fill out. After surgery Heidi showed up several times in the recovery room to check on us and Michaela. I would definitely use this service if your child is over the age of 3.Michaela still talks about Heidi! If you get to meet her she looks exactly like SNOW WHITE at Disney world. We teased her that if she didn't work at TCH that could be her next job! LOL

just wanted to let you all know -if you haven't already seen in- that there is a great virtual tour of TCH on the web http://www.texaschildrenshospital.org
it's on the bottom right side....

you can see the O.R. - was so surprised to see it and to see that it had windows!

and they have the clinic waiting room and a patient room and the 16th floor and more!

They did such an excellent job with this!