All of us experience pain at some point. We understand that it is unpleasant both physically and emotionally, and we want to address it as quickly and as fully as we can.

It can be difficult to understand what your child is experiencing, especially if they are unable to verbally communicate or have trouble describing their pain experience. Seeing them in distress can make you feel anxious and fearful.

Trust your instinct as a parent. When you identify triggers for your child’s irritability, record what you have learned so that you remember next time and can share the information with the care team. Use photos and video to capture who your child is when they are well and having a good day. Sharing these will allow the team to see how your child behaves when comfortable and thus understand that irritable behavior means something unusual is occurring and needs attention. When you are feeling uncertain, find a trusted clinician who knows your child and can take the time to listen to your concerns and observe your child exhibiting the behaviors that are worrying you.