Working with adolescents can be challenging inside and outside of the hospital setting. Understanding the development of the adolescent brain, both anatomically and psychologically, can provide a child life specialist greater insight into assessing teens and creating effective interventions to implement in daily practice.

The hospital experience is often times stress provoking for children and their families. In this presentation, the family systems and stress theories as well as the ABC-X stress management model will be explored. Through discussion and case studies participants will work through examples of how to incorporate these theories and model into their daily practice.

​DOMAIN: Assessment; 1.5 PDU's - This presentation will shed light on the parental beliefs and behaviors regarding youth self management of cystic fibrosis and transition to adulthood.

The role of child life specialists requires current information about the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) patient population and their families.  

This case study explores ongoing assessments and collaboration between child life and music therapy while promoted positive coping and psychosocial outcomes for an adolescent patient with a complex condition. The presentation will include information about the types of assessments, the interdisciplinary plan of care, interventions to address the patient’s psychosocial and developmental issues, and specific patient outcomes.

DOMAIN: Assessment; 1.5 PDU's - Strength-based practice is a theoretical approach originally developed and employed in the field of social work.

It is often thought that many children need to be sedated in order to obtain clear diagnostic images for medical purposes. This presentation will identify strategies on how to provide coping mechanisms to prepare select candidates for long scans without sedation.

​As the field of child life grows more competitive, academic programs desire to establish innovative, collaborative partnerships in an effort to address student educational needs. SUGGESTED DOMAIN: Assessment

DOMAIN: Assessment; 1 PDU - ​Presenters will describe how they advocated for, created, implemented and expanded an MRI non-sedation program.

In order to reduce stress and promote positive coping, early and ongoing assessment of the patient and family’s needs is vital. Child life specialists have the opportunity to enhance the family's experience by completing assessment phone calls prior to planned medical events. SUGGESTED DOMAIN: Assessment