Child Life

Child Life Services is part of our pediatric patient team, helping our patients and their families cope with the stresses of illness.

Reducing fear and anxiety in children, adolescents and teens is the job of the child life specialist at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance. Child life specialists participate in each child's health care team. They help children cope with the stresses of illness by using medical play and explaining treatment and procedures in language appropriate to their age and development. They also teach other family members the coping skills they may need to care for a sick child. In addition, they assess the responses and needs of children and their families to their treatment experience.

Since the physical limitations and emotional stress of illness can disrupt a child's normal social growth and development, child life specialists strive to provide children with as many normal life experiences as possible during treatment. Child life specialists act as children's advocates, helping them maintain contact with their friends back home and celebrating the milestones of childhood.

To learn more about Child Life Services, call (206) 288-7621, or e-mail childlife@seattlecca.org