Abstract
Hospitalization is an unpleasant experience, and children with disabilities feel even more unsafe and confused, aggravating their level of anxiety and frustration, manifesting in negative behaviors. The most urgent need for a child with disability in the clinical setting and for the medical staff is to find a common ground that could facilitate communicational process, the comprehensiveness of care, the expression of what and how the child feels to be able to identify ways to describe their pain level and the sensations, to accept the treatment, and to explain the disease and the condition from which the child suffers. It is within a well-structured therapeutic play intervention that children with disabilities are more likely to reduce the anxiety that arises from threatening experiences. The lack of play can delay recovery, aggravate the symptoms, also can result in emotional withdrawal, diverse negative and regressive behaviors, tantrum episodes, and disrupted sleep patterns.
TopChildren With Disabilities, Needs And Priorities In Taking Care Of Their Health And Life-Quality
Children with disabilities are children that have difficulties and require individualized support in several areas:
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Cognitive (e.g., children with an intellectual disability)
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Learning (e.g., specific learning disorders)
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Communication and interaction (e.g., children with autism)
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Sensory (e.g., visually impaired, hearing-impaired children)
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Physical (e.g., cerebral palsy)
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Social, emotional, and behavioral (e.g., ADHD)
A child can have difficulties in different areas, mentioned above. For example, a child with autism can have cognitive difficulties, challenges with social and communication skills, and disruptive behaviors. Therefore, children with disabilities can have more than one type of deficit or difficulty. It is necessary to gather complete information about children’s needs, and data about the most urgent need or primary needs.
Some general characteristics of children with disabilities:
Key Terms in this Chapter
Disability: Physical or mental condition that limits the participation or involvement of a person in all areas of life, and the participation restrictions he or she experiences.
Safe Environment: A secure and barriers-free environment that is stimulating, supportive, and inclusive.
Health: A state of complete physical, mental, spiritual, and social well-being.
Well-Being: Good physical and mental condition, a state of satisfaction in one’s life, meaningful and rewarding social support and relationships, and having a purposeful life.
Life Quality: First used by John Galbraith in his book, The Society of Abundance, was originally associated with public health, environmental protection, and urban development. When talking about the quality of life of children with disability, it is implied to provide all necessary conditions (physical, socioeconomic, emotional, and cultural) for the child to develop and learn. The child with a disability should be able to have a fulfilling life as any other child, to feel valuable, and important, to learn, to play, to receive the care and the services available to become as autonomous and independent as possible, to be able to contribute to the society as well, and to maximize through education his potential and resources.
Play Therapy: A method of psychotherapeutic intervention on children and adults using play, games, and other ludic activities.
Therapeutic Play Programs: Specific programs used by hospitals to make the hospital experience more pleasant.
Play: A simulation of reality that can help children explore their world and build knowledge.