Grounding and Tips to Support a Child’s Understanding of a Serious Diagnosis (in themselves, a sibling, a classmate etc.)

As caregivers, we want to meet our children where they are with what they need in ways that are appropriate, honest, and truly supportive. This can feel tricky and even scary in the face of a serious diagnosis – whether it is the child themselves who is sick or a sibling or cousin or classmate. Caregivers are often asking tough questions of themselves: is my child too young to hear this information, is this the right moment, how do I start a hard conversation with my child, will my child even understand? This presentation and conversation will give you tools and strategies and reassure you that regardless of the type of diagnosis, or how young the child is, or if the child has a developmental delay, that you can build the foundation for a trusted, safe space and relationship where they can repeatedly share what they are wondering or worrying about.

Child Life Specialists are particularly skilled at working with children and creating environments for their expression of worries and giving them a framework for understanding. This event featured a specialist from Child Core Family Support, a resource that empowers caregivers and provides information, education, and tools to help their child through a medical journey. Watch this event to learn how to navigate diagnosis conversations with children and how to use developmentally appropriate language, concrete tools, and play to support their understanding and learning.