Michelle A. Lodeserto, BA, BS, CCLS

It seemed like such a long road ahead of me when I realized I was called to pursue child life. Now 2 years later, I am pleased to announce that I have completed this degree and recently PASSED my certification exam making me an official certified child life specialist (CCLS). Not to mention I had a baby within those 2 years as well!! It is an honor to have this title. I am considered a pediatric healthcare professional trained in child development with a specific focus of the psychosocial and developmental needs of children in a hospital setting. The American Academy of Pediatrics affirms that child life is an "essential component of quality pediatric health care". I pray that God will use me to glorify him in this field as it is a privlege to work with children and their families during some of the hardest times of their lives.

What is Child Life?

By: Steve Slowinski, former Child Life Intern at Connecticut Children's Medical Center

What I'm not:

A nurse.

A doctor.

A social worker.

A "Keeper of the Toys"

A magical "make-this-child-not-cry person"
Only someone there to play with the kids.

I'm not superfluous.

What I am:

I am a teacher,

A helping hand,

A support,

An advocate,

An active listener,

A therapeutic touch,

And a child development specialist

Every single day.

I am an OR prep-er,

An IV teacher,

A de-coder of PICC, VCUG, MRI and NG

An alternate focusing provider,

An inpatient support,

And a guide and a voice for siblings

All in the same day.

I am calm despite cancer, CAT scans and catheters.

I am strong in the face of syncope,

sickle cell, and surgery.

Children can't always do these things for themselves.

That's why I'm here.

I am deliberate in all of my actions and words

Because I use the language of children

And it has power.

I am flexible and go where I'm needed

Because children can't always be flexible

About when they're going to break.

I am not here to merely play with children,

give them toys, and distract them

I am a Child Life Specialist.

When children say they can't, I tell them they can.

Top 10 reason's to call a Child Life Specialist

10. Child/ Patient needs preparation for an invasive procedure.

9. Child/ Patient is having difficulty coping with a necessary procedure, i.e., crying or fighting.

8. Child/ Patient exhibits oppositional behavior, refusing to cooperate without anger or hostility.

7. Child/ Patient or siblings express specific fears to staff, needing follow up.

6. Child/ Patient is perceived by staff as withdrawn.

5. Child/ Patient is having difficulty taking meds.

4. Child/ Patient admitted having recently experienced traumatic loss or has a chronic illness (developmental delay).

3. Child/ Patient is newly diagnosed with a chronic illness.

2. Child/ Patient is admitted for injuries resulting from a traumatic accident, i.e., MVA, fire, etc.
1. Child/ Patient whose injuries or diagnosis has resulted from suspected child abuse.

www.childlife.org
P.S. Pictures of my brothers wedding to come!!