Traumatic, life-changing injury like burns impact children physically, mentally and emotionally. Families are also affected.

At Ranken Jordan, pediatric psychologists are always available to help children and their families. Psychologists can identify and treat depression, anxiety, and behavioral concerns. They also provide caregiver support and help children and families cope with injuries and manage stress.

If you or your child feel overwhelmed, anxious, scared, guilty, helpless, or upset, notify a team member. We can help you talk to your child about their injury, prepare for return to the community,  develop a good home routine, manage challenging behaviors, and talk to others about your child’s injury.

In addition, our certified child life specialists are a key part of the burn team. They create a schedule and routine for your child as well as provide coping strategies, distraction and support during burn care.

Through age-appropriate explanations and preparations such as medical play, a child life specialist helps children understand and prepare for procedures and during their stay.

With a focus on families, Ranken Jordan offers several resources to support and educate siblings through our Patient and Family Engagement Liaison (PFEL) and our child life specialists.

We take siblings and parents into account through every step of the journey. For example, we prepare siblings for their visit to the hospital, help explain their sibling’s injury, and help them to understand what life may be like at home. In addition, we help children and their families learn how to plan in new and adaptive ways if needed.

We encourage caregivers to maintain a normal routine at home as much as possible, including sending siblings to school and other activities. Our team can answer questions and provide age-appropriate information about your child’s injury to reduce anxiety.