Child Life Program at Good Samaritan Hospital: Helping Children Cope

What is the Child Life Program at Good Samaritan Hospital?

We know the hospital can be a scary place for a child. Medical procedures and physician visits can make anyone uneasy. At Catholic Health, we believe anxiety, stress and fear don’t have to be a part of your child’s medical care. For you or them.

The Child Life Program at Good Samaritan Hospital in West Islip provides a wide range of services focused on helping children cope with the physical and emotional challenges caused by illness, hospitalization, accident or injury.

Our specially trained child life specialists offer inpatient and outpatient care designed to meet the unique needs of children and their families. We know play and laughter are great healers. We use age-appropriate language, developmental play and activities to answer questions, explain the unfamiliar and offer support to enhance healing and promote recovery.

What is a child life specialist?

Child life specialists at Catholic Health are certified by the Association of Child Life Professionals. Our team has the expertise and experience to help your child build the coping skills they need to navigate their health journey successfully.

We feature play-based, family-centered care that includes:

• Age-appropriate language
• Creative-arts therapy
• Developmental play
• Distraction techniques
• Relaxation techniques

What services does the child life program provide?

Our team of child life specialists helps your child address the unique emotional and physical impact that illness, injury and hospitalization have on their life. We prepare children for procedures, exams and surgery through developmental play to minimize discomfort and help them better understand their care. We know how comforting it can be to have someone to lean on. We offer support and assistance coping during both inpatient and outpatient procedures.

Our inpatient program includes a playroom and therapeutic garden that is open seven days a week for children who are medically cleared by the treatment team.

When your child is hospitalized, our team offers a wide range of services, including medical play, art programs, horticulture, music groups, developmental play and a school tutor. For children who cannot leave their room, we also offer bedside care.

Services for children needing outpatient care include diagnostic testing, ongoing care for chronic illness or assistance adapting to their health challenges. We provide materials with developmentally appropriate language examples and preparation tips. When staff is available, we meet with you and your family to answer questions and address any concerns.

We know illness and injury touch every aspect of a child’s life. Our goal is to provide the best possible experience for every child we meet. Our specialists address their concerns with patience and compassion, including:

• Alternate forms of pain relief that don’t require medication
• Fears and concerns about chronic illness or the threat of death
• Preparation for diagnosis and treatment procedures
• Reoccurring hospital admissions
• Sibling issues
• Special needs and developmental issues related to upcoming surgery or hospitalization

When should parents and caregivers access the Child Life Program?

Child Life services are available across the spectrum of care. All children scheduled for hospital admission, inpatient or outpatient surgery, or procedures requiring sedation meet with a child life specialist as soon as they enter the hospital.

For both inpatient and outpatient services, we can be an invaluable resource. We can help if your child:

• Expresses fear and stress or has siblings that express concern about upcoming care
• Experiences traumatic loss
• Has special needs, developmental delays or is on the autism spectrum
• Is having difficulty coping with a necessary procedure
• Needs preparation for an invasive procedure
• Receives a diagnosis of chronic illness

With the Child Life Program you and your child will experience:

• Improved sense of mastery and control
• Increased comfort and understanding during procedures
• Instruction on coping and pain management techniques
• Less anxiety for children and parents
• Less discomfort and pain
• Reduced need for sedation

How can parents and caregivers access the Child Life Program?

Our team is there when you need us. If you bring your child to the emergency room, you’ll be greeted by a child life specialist from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. If you need our assistance outside of those hours, we are available on an emergency basis.

If you are scheduling an outpatient procedure or surgery, contact the Child Life Program offices at (631) 376-3717 to arrange care or get more information on how we can help you and your family cope.

Explore pediatric services at Catholic Health.