Being a teenager is hard work -- even more so when you're receiving help for a mental health diagnosis while stuck in the hospital! This webinar will review typical adolescent development and explore how healthcare admissions for mental health treatment can impact adolescents. Developmental theory, psychiatric literature, and child life assessment will be discussed. Suggested Domain: Assessment 1.0 PDU

Child life specialists use developmental theories to assess patients and plan interventions daily. However, as a profession, we have yet to explore the history of developmental theories and examine why the most commonly used theories were created by “Old White Men.” This webinar will allow viewers to learn about child development through the lens of black theorists, who provide richer insight into the developmental processes and challenges of black youth. Understanding developmental frameworks from perspectives of BIPOC scholars who have studied child development in black and minority youth will allow child life specialists to better assess the needs of black children and their families who are hospitalized or facing other crises. Furthermore, when child life specialists can broaden their assessment skills, the planning and implementation of appropriate interventions and the ability to form meaningful, trusting, therapeutic relationships with families of color will become an additional skill set that specialists can offer in the healthcare field.

This presentation will revisit literature of child life theoretical framework and practice to distinguish the defining qualities and goals of medical play, psychosocial preparation, distraction, and planned alternative focus. Discussion will include considerations for assessment of individual situations to encourage developmentally appropriate care and help identify clear rationale behind choices made. In addition, reviewing seminal writings and comparing them with current literature, practice, and more recent understanding of brain development will aim to support student supervisors and academicians as they teach students, perpetuating clarity and confidence in the work of a child life specialist. The author will discuss the fine, but important, difference between operationalized definitions of concepts often used in research settings and reconciling those definitions with individuals in everyday practice. Experiences of the author on a multidisciplinary research team and within the context of teaching students in the classroom and in clinical training will provide examples for attendees to consider and discuss. Finally, professional conversation regarding perspectives, experiences, and challenges will be prompted to encourage professional growth, understanding, and reflection surrounding these concepts. Suggested Domain: Assessment

Read this Focus article and earn .5 PDUs. This is a free resource for members and $15 for non-members. Once you've read the article, you will need to complete your quiz in order to access the certificate of completion through the professional development platform. Participants should maintain a copy of their certificate of attendance for their records. Suggested Domain: Assessment

Depression and anxiety impact 1 in 5 pregnant and postpartum women. This presentation will provide education on maternal mood disorders with a focus on postpartum depression and anxiety. We will discuss assessment, resources available and a brief overview of treatment options. We will consider how maternal mood disorders affect the whole family and explore ways child life specialists and all medical professionals can help. Suggested Domain: Assessment 1.5 PDUs

Transition readiness has quickly risen to the top of many healthcare organizations’ strategic aims. In order to facilitate a smooth transition to adult care, a systematic, yet individualized approach is necessary. Research clearly demonstrates the detrimental effects of unpreparedness for adult care, including higher incidences of missed appointments and delayed care--failure to manage their chronic condition, in turn, leads to increased emergency room visits, hospital admissions, and surgical procedures. In order to mitigate the risk for these detrimental outcomes, this webinar will give attendees the tools to design a transition program for any chronic illness, complete with outlined goals, readiness assessments, and targeted interventions to ensure patients are confident, knowledgeable, and proficient consumers of healthcare. Recommended Exam Domain: Assessment