Coping Strategies for Siblings
1. Seek out information with them and share age appropriate information on a continuing basis
2. Give them an outlet separate from the ill child and family as a means of distraction and source of
esteem
3. Talk to them get them to express their emotions, let them know their thoughts and suggestions are
valued
4. Thought stopping, the forced substitution of positive thoughts for negative ones
5. Help them develop empathy: ability to assume the perspective of another
6. Praise them often
7. Let teachers know what is happening so they can be understanding and helpful
8. Spend special one on one time with them
THE CHILD
The impact of a chronic illness on the child varies with the child’s developmental stage.
In early childhood, the child will have concerns about separation from loved ones and fears about Various
procedures. Carers whether professional or not need to be especially sensitive to these issues. We as
parents need to be particularly sensitive to the pain and indignity involved in various procedures with
children and endeavour to overcome these factors as much as possible.
Adolescent patients can often be difficult to work with. Patience is needed and rigid schedules should be
avoided as much as possible. Parents may need to work with what a child is prepared to do, even if this is
not the ideal management. For Instance the specific low (or no) fat diet is far from ideal, parents,
dietitians, general practitioners and others need to work within the framework of that particular child's
preferences.
Youth with chronic conditions often need to acquire new coping skills as they learn how to manage their
condition more independently. Meanwhile, parents and other family caregivers need to assume a less
active role in the day to day management of the condition and learn new supervisory skills. Roles between
providers, youth, and family caregivers also change during the adolescent years as providers work more
directly with adolescents and have less interaction with family caregivers.
School presents a number of problems for children with chronic disease. Teachers are not necessarily well
informed about the care of sick children. These factors can lead to mismanagement of the child. Other
children may stigmatise a child with a chronic illness. This may lead to bullying, isolation and emotional
problems with children. Irregular attendance at school may mean that the teacher needs to give the child
more personalised attention. This may not be seen to be possible or appropriate by every teacher. The
resulting poor academic performance may further stigmatise the child. We as parents need to educate the
teachers and get them on board as part of the overall team that cares for our child.
1. Seek out information with them and share age appropriate information on a continuing basis
2. Give them an outlet separate from the ill child and family as a means of distraction and source of
esteem
3. Talk to them get them to express their emotions, let them know their thoughts and suggestions are
valued
4. Thought stopping, the forced substitution of positive thoughts for negative ones
5. Help them develop empathy: ability to assume the perspective of another
6. Praise them often
7. Let teachers know what is happening so they can be understanding and helpful
8. Spend special one on one time with them
THE CHILD
The impact of a chronic illness on the child varies with the child’s developmental stage.
In early childhood, the child will have concerns about separation from loved ones and fears about Various
procedures. Carers whether professional or not need to be especially sensitive to these issues. We as
parents need to be particularly sensitive to the pain and indignity involved in various procedures with
children and endeavour to overcome these factors as much as possible.
Adolescent patients can often be difficult to work with. Patience is needed and rigid schedules should be
avoided as much as possible. Parents may need to work with what a child is prepared to do, even if this is
not the ideal management. For Instance the specific low (or no) fat diet is far from ideal, parents,
dietitians, general practitioners and others need to work within the framework of that particular child's
preferences.
Youth with chronic conditions often need to acquire new coping skills as they learn how to manage their
condition more independently. Meanwhile, parents and other family caregivers need to assume a less
active role in the day to day management of the condition and learn new supervisory skills. Roles between
providers, youth, and family caregivers also change during the adolescent years as providers work more
directly with adolescents and have less interaction with family caregivers.
School presents a number of problems for children with chronic disease. Teachers are not necessarily well
informed about the care of sick children. These factors can lead to mismanagement of the child. Other
children may stigmatise a child with a chronic illness. This may lead to bullying, isolation and emotional
problems with children. Irregular attendance at school may mean that the teacher needs to give the child
more personalised attention. This may not be seen to be possible or appropriate by every teacher. The
resulting poor academic performance may further stigmatise the child. We as parents need to educate the
teachers and get them on board as part of the overall team that cares for our child.
Little Leakers
THE EFFECTS OF A CHRONIC ILLNESS IN THE FAMILY
