Frequently Asked Questions

Play therapy allows children to express their feelings and fears through play. It helps them understand and process their medical experiences, reducing anxiety and promoting emotional healing. These services aim to address the emotional, social, and behavioral aspects of a child's well-being.

Emotional support in pediatric care is essential because it helps children and their families cope with the emotional impact of illness, hospitalization, or medical procedures. It provides a sense of comfort, security, and understanding during challenging times.

Child life specialists create a child-friendly hospital environment by offering emotional support, play activities, and age-appropriate explanations of medical procedures. They help reduce anxiety and promote a sense of normalcy for not only the paediatric patients but also the family.

Psychological therapy can benefit adolescents by providing a safe and supportive environment to discuss and manage issues such as academic stress, peer pressure, identity development, and mental health concerns. It equips them with coping strategies and emotional skills. Therapy can also be individual, family, and/or group.

A child psychologist plays a crucial role in paediatric support by assessing and addressing the emotional and behavioral needs of children. They provide therapy and interventions to help children cope with various challenges, such as adjustment, stress, anxiety, depression, and developmental issues.

Child life specialists are responsible for providing mental health support to children and Families by educating, preparing, and supporting them through their hospitalisation, difficult tests, and procedures related to chronic or acute illness. Child life specialists also support the special needs of children and their families and devise plans that provide children and families with opportunities to engage in normal play and leisure pursuits that encourage expansion, progress, achievement, and fulfillment. The specialists also provide emotional and psychological support to families to help them provide a more positive atmosphere for their child during their hospitalisation, whether long-term, frequent visits, or short duration. There is also provision for psychological counseling, assessments, and psychotherapies for the children and their families in case of any requirement. Communication with interdisciplinary team members Supervision and training for child life students

Preparation for tests, procedures, and surgery Procedural support and distraction Psychological support for family and siblings (even extended family) Support through play Emotional support Bereavement, trauma, and grief support Patient Advocacy Art therapy and play therapy as a mode of communication and interaction Psychological support and therapy depending on the case scenario. Assessment and screening for psychological support.

In an era where various gadgets are used to distract and occupy children, Child Life Services at Aster CMI aims not only to ease the child’s stress quotient, but also add a human touch in interacting, understanding, and distracting the child where required. This ensures a normal hospital experience with reduced PTSD. The rise in mental health awareness has driven healthcare industries to strive for a parallel balance between physical health and mental health well-being. Keeping this prerogative in mind, developing a Child Life Service at Aster CMI is an effective strategy for creating future generations to have a humane approach. Child Life Services in an Indian setting has a deeper emotional Quotient. Family, society, and culture have a profound impact on child-rearing, and this requires sensitivity while attending to the needs of the families.

Child life specialists (CLS) help to reduce the stress and anxiety of children and families due to experiences related to healthcare and hospitalization. They promote effective coping through education, preparation, and play. They also understand the different development stages of children.

Yes, there are specialized services and facilities that cater to individuals living with any kind of dementia or Alzheimer’s and their family members who are coping with care giver stress. These services often provide specialized memory care programs, safe environments, and activities tailored to the needs of these individuals.