How do kids adjust to and cope with chronic illnesses?
The way children react to diagnosis with a chronic illness depends on several factors, including the child’s personality, the specific illness, and their family. One big factor is the child’s developmental stage. Kids’ understandings of illness and their coping strategies change as they grow older. Here’s some information about how kids adjust at different stages: • Infants and Toddlers are beginning to develop trust and an overall sense of security. They generally have very little understanding of their illness. They experience pain, restriction of motion, and separation from parents as challenges to developing trust and security. Parents can help by being present for painful procedures, staying with their children (when possible) during hospitalizations, and holding, soothing, and interacting with their baby as much as possible. • Preschool Children are beginning to develop a sense of independence. They may understand what it means to get sick, but they may not understand the cause a
