Wellstar Child Life Specialists
About Us
- What is a Child Life Specialist?
- The Healing Power of Play
- Education
- Preparation
- Support for Patients and Family
- Grief and Bereavement Support
- Grief Resources
What is a Child Life Specialist?
A Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) is a healthcare professional who helps children, teens, and families understand and cope with injury, illness, hospitalization, or death and loss. Their goal is to help reduce anxiety, fear, pain, and misconceptions pertaining to medical experiences. Often through play, child life specialists enable children to explore, learn, and develop effective coping skills for facing challenging events.
What education does a Child Life Specialist need?
To become a Certified Child Life Specialist, a candidate needs extensive education and training. A four-year undergraduate degree is required. Some candidates graduate with a degree in child life while others graduate with a degree in education, psychology, human development, or a related field of study. Some child life specialists decide to further their education and obtain a master’s degree. These two-year programs provide specialized, in-depth education pertaining to the profession.Each candidate must be certified by the Association of Child Life Professionals. In addition to completing a 600-hour internship or fellowship, candidates must pass the Child Life Professionals examination in order to become certified.
The Healing Power of Play
Play is the work of children [Piaget]. It is how they process events and learn about and relate to the world. Play is especially important in the healthcare setting. Child life specialists utilize play to:- Encourage normal development and positive coping throughout healthcare experiences
- Help children understand and feel more comfortable with medical procedures and environments
- Enable children to process and reflect on prior medical experiences
- Provide choices and a sense of control for children
Education
Child life specialists are a helpful resource for caregivers and parents who are interested in learning more about how children develop, respond to challenges, and cope with stress.
Preparation
- Reduce anxiety
- Develop trust in caregivers and staff
- Identify stressors and develop coping methods
- Give choices and a sense of control over what will happen
Child life specialists help children understand not only the sequence of events but also – more specifically – what children will feel, see, hear, taste and smell. During preparation, child life specialists provide information based upon the child’s level of development, often using pictures and medical manipulatives to promote understanding. Talking openly and honestly to children using words they understand can make the healthcare experience easier to manage, and it can also provide opportunities for children to express fears or concerns.
Support for Patients and Family
Throughout preparation, child life specialists also help children and their families develop positive coping skills and establish plans and techniques for facing challenging events. Coping strategies are unique to each child and family but may include strategies such as:For Parents
- Stating honestly how something may feel without minimizing it
- Informing staff of important facts about your child
- Remaining positive, calm, and supportive toward your child
- Providing your presence/full attention and offering specific praise before, during, and after a procedure
- Utilizing comfort positioning so that your child can always see and touch you
- Preparing yourself for the upcoming procedure
For Children
- Distraction: refocusing your child’s attention to an activity they find interest in
- Imagery: asking your child to close their eyes and recall a positive place or memory
- Breathing: encouraging your child to take slow, deep breaths
- Comfort: bringing along your child’s favorite blanket or stuffed animal to hold before, during, or after the procedure
For Children of Adult Patients
Child life specialists are available to help children and teens learn about their loved one’s illness, injury, or treatment. Having a parent, grandparent, or other adult family member in the hospital can be a confusing and challenging change in a child’s life. Child life specialists can work with caregivers to educate their children and teens through kid-friendly language, books, and hands-on teaching materials. At Wellstar, there are designated child life specialists with additional training to support children of adult patients.Grief & Bereavement Support
A child who is old enough to love is old enough to grieve. Though children’s understanding of death and ways of coping are different from adults, it is still important that they receive support. Child life specialists are trained in how children understand and respond to the death of a loved one. They provide guidance on talking to children about a loved one who has died or is nearing the end of their life. Using play, art, and developmentally appropriate language, child life specialists help children and teens learn about the death, express emotions, and create keepsakes in memory of their loved one. Specific services include:- Guidance and resources for caregivers to help support children and teens who are grieving
- Preparation for children and teens who are visiting a loved one who is dying
- Strategies for children and teens to express and manage their emotions in healthy ways
- Legacy building through family artwork or remembrance projects
- Connection with additional grief support resources in their community
Helping Children Deal with Grief
Camp Tranquility and Camp Dogwood are one-day events for children and adults who have experienced the loss of a loved one. These events are sponsored by Wellstar Community Hospice.Camp Tranquility
Camp Tranquility is a one-day community workshop for individuals and families who have experienced the loss of a loved one. Adults and campers six years of age and older participate in sessions designed to aid in healthy grief expression. For more information, contact us at (470) 245-9959 or email [email protected]. At Camp Tranquility, participants build community with others experiencing similar losses while learning:- Age-specific strategies for processing grief
- Self-care and stress reduction
- Parenting through loss
- Talking to children about death and grief
- Activities for family healing over time
Camp Dogwood
Camp Dogwood is a free, one day event for children who are entering First to Seventh Grade from Troup, Coweta, Heard, Meriwether and Harris counties who have experienced the loss of a loved one. Created in 1997 as an outreach of West Georgia Hospice, it now serves up to 60 children each summer with the help of about 80 volunteers. Through art, games and stories, campers will be helped to:- Realize that all people grieve
- Discover healthy ways to deal with grief
- Find positive ways of remembering their loved one
- Learn healthy coping skills while enjoying fun activities
More Resources
- Camp Kesem - programs and services for children who have a parent with a cancer diagnosis or have lost a parent to cancer
- Camp Erin - bereavement program for youth grieving the death of a significant person in their lives
- Kate’s Club - bereavement programs for children, adolescents, and young adults
- Association of Child Life Professionals
For Reading
Services & Resources
- Opportunities for play & growth and development in the healthcare setting
- Healthcare education for children and families
- Procedural and surgical preparation and support
- Strategies for coping with stressful situations
- Advocacy that promotes emotional safety for children, teens and families
- Support of siblings during their brother's or sister’s hospitalization
- Illness education and coping support for children & teens whose loved one is hospitalized
- Grief and bereavement support
- Consultative support for parents/caregivers on child development, responses to and strategies for managing stress and trauma
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Highlights
Think PINK: Raise Your Breast Cancer IQ
P: Prevention
The best way to detect breast cancer early is by staying connected with your healthcare provider and keeping up with regular visits and screenings, including mammograms.Who should get screened, and when?
Annual mammograms are recommended starting at age 40. Women with additional risk factors or a family history should speak with their provider about starting screenings earlier.I: Information
Research and learn as much as you can about breast cancer. Knowing the signs and symptoms could save your life.What are the symptoms of breast cancer?
Some symptoms may be spotted early. Knowing what to look and feel for can help catch breast cancer before it progresses:- Lump in the breast or underarm
- Breast swelling or thickening
- Redness or flaking skin on the breast
- Nipple discharge other than breast milk
- Change in breast size or shape
- Pain in any area of the breast
N: Next steps
When a mammogram result is flagged for follow-up care, it can feel scary. At Wellstar, you don’t have to face the process alone. Our Comprehensive Breast Health Program offers complimentary concierge services, automatically enrolling patients with abnormal mammogram results. Dedicated nurse navigators guide you through each step of the diagnostic process—helping with scheduling, answering questions and supporting your physical and emotional well-being. If you are diagnosed with breast cancer, it’s important to partner with your care team to plan your treatment.What happens after a breast cancer diagnosis?
- Schedule a follow-up visit. Meet with your healthcare provider to ask questions about your diagnosis and treatment options.
- Consult with specialists. At Wellstar, breast surgeons and oncologists work as part of an integrated team to recommend treatment tailored to your condition. Patients also have access to advanced imaging, leading facilities and experts in surgery, radiology, pathology and oncology.
- Explore STAT Clinic. At the Breast Cancer STAT Clinic at Wellstar North Fulton Medical Center, a full team—including a breast surgeon, medical oncologist, radiation oncologist, genetic counselor and nurse navigator—meets with you in one place on the same day. Together, they create a personalized treatment plan before you leave, helping reduce the time from diagnosis to treatment from months to just two weeks. This patient-centered model brings the specialists to you, ensuring the most seamless, supportive experience possible.
K: Knowledge
Knowing your personal health, family history and risk factors helps your care team determine if you may be at increased risk of developing breast cancer. For women ages 24 to 39, Wellstar has partnered with Gabbi to offer a personalized, virtual breast cancer risk assessment. The program provides next-day virtual visits with specialists, coordinated imaging at Wellstar and 24/7 concierge support.What are the risk factors for breast cancer?
- Age. Risk increases as women get older.
- Family history. Having a relative with breast cancer—or a male relative with prostate cancer—can increase risk.
- Previous radiation therapy. Radiation to the chest for other cancers or lymphomas may increase risk.
- Past diagnosis. A previous breast cancer diagnosis raises the likelihood of recurrence.
Highlights
Make Breast Health Your Habit
When it comes to diagnosing breast cancer, time is of the essence.
That’s why Wellstar uses state-of-the-art imaging technology to help identify cancer sooner, so we can treat it faster. Getting a screening mammogram can save your life, so don’t delay.
“The earlier we detect a breast cancer, the better we are able to treat it,” said Wellstar Chief of Women’s Health Dr. Paula Greaves.
With several imaging centers offering mammography, it's easy to find one that's convenient to you.
Who should get screened?
If you do not have any risk factors that increase your chance of developing breast cancer, you should start annual screening mammograms at age 40.
If you’re at higher risk for breast cancer, your provider may recommend you start screenings earlier and can help you create a personalized plan.
“Being female at birth gives you a 1 in 8 chance of developing breast cancer, but there are other components that can increase that risk,” Dr. Greaves said.
You may be at higher risk of developing breast cancer if:
- You have a family history of breast cancer. If any of your relatives have had breast cancer, talk to your provider about starting screenings earlier. Find out how old your relatives were when they were diagnosed with breast cancer and begin screenings when you are seven to 10 years younger than their age of diagnosis.
- You have had previous radiotherapy treatment in the chest area. Previous radiotherapy for other cancers or lymphomas can also raise the potential for breast cancer development.
- You have had breast cancer before. A previous breast cancer diagnosis often means a patient is more likely to develop breast cancer again.
Call (678) 581-5900 to schedule your mammogram. You can also ask your Wellstar care team to put your mammogram order in MyChart and you'll be able to schedule the test online. Find a mammography location near you.
What should I expect when I get a mammogram?
A mammogram uses low dose X-rays to examine the breast for abnormalities and signs of cancer. Wellstar offers 3D mammograms, which provide a series of detailed images of the breast, allowing healthcare teams to better evaluate breast tissue layer by layer. In these images, fine details are more visible as compared to 2D mammograms and are no longer hidden by overlapping tissue.
The mammography unit is a rectangular box that houses the X-ray tubes and special accessories so that only the breasts are exposed to radiation. Attached to the unit is a device that holds and compresses the breast and positions it so images can be taken from several angles.
The technologist is with you throughout the procedure and will ensure that the necessary images have been taken before completing the exam.
Once you have completed a mammogram, you may resume your normal, everyday activities.
If your screening mammogram results are normal, your next mammogram will be the following year, unless your care team recommends more frequent screenings due to family history or other risk factors. If you notice any changes such as a lump, sore spot or a difference in the appearance of the skin, contact your clinician.
What if I receive abnormal screening mammogram results?
When a mammogram result is flagged for follow-up care, it can be scary and intimidating for patients and their loved ones—but at Wellstar, you won’t have to navigate your health journey alone.
As you search for answers about your breast health, the Wellstar Comprehensive Breast Health Program and its complimentary concierge services will make your experience more seamless with a tailored care plan, advocacy for your physical and emotional well-being, dedicated team members for scheduling appointments and education about your care options. Our team of experts will stay by your side through the entire diagnostic process, offering personalized counsel at every step.
For more information on our Comprehensive Breast Health Program, call (470) 610-1910 or email [email protected]. Learn more about our personalized breast care at wellstar.org/breasthealth.
What are some symptoms of breast cancer?
In addition to yearly mammograms, your doctor may recommend you conduct monthly breast self-exams to look for any changes. Signs of breast cancer can include:
- Lump development in the breast or underarm
- Breast swelling or development of thickness
- Redness and/or skin flaking around the breast
- Discharge other than breast milk from the nipple
- Any change in the size or the shape of the breast
- Pain in any area of the breast
If you notice any of these symptoms, reach out to your doctor and schedule an appointment to evaluate your breast health.
Your Wellstar care team will support you at every step of your breast health journey, from screening mammograms to follow-up care.
Highlights