11 | Child Life Specialists in the ED with Madison Matthews, CCLS

In this episode, Toni welcomes Madison Matthews, a Certified Child Life Specialist, to discuss the vital role child life specialists play in pediatric care. Madison explains her background and qualifications, the core principles of child life, and their impact on reducing the need for anesthesia, lowering healthcare costs, and minimizing PTSD and anxiety for young patients. The discussion covers Madison's experiences, including her approach to preparing children for procedures, working with families during traumatic events, and facilitating conversations about serious diagnoses and bereavement. The episode highlights the importance of child life specialists and provides tips for integrating child life techniques in settings without these professionals. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 00:08 Meet Madison Matthews: Certified Child Life Specialist 00:50 Understanding the Role of a Child Life Specialist 02:30 Impact of Child Life Specialists in Healthcare 04:57 Personal Experiences and Challenges 08:33 Theories and Techniques in Child Life 10:28 Practical Applications and Coping Strategies 17:52 Understanding Children's Anxiety in Medical Settings 18:23 Discussing a Brain Tumor Diagnosis with a Child 20:35 Supporting Families During Trauma Situations 22:33 Facilitating Bereavement Conversations 27:59 Emerging Technologies in Child Life 29:11 Implementing Child Life Techniques in Community Settings 34:44 Final Thoughts on Child Life Services NEXT Month: Cheryl Fabor and June Bryant, FNP, from the Dysautonomia Project will be joining us to discuss dysautonomia. This is a condition being seen more commonly in the ED and diagnosis is often delayed for years due to lack of provider recognition. Don't miss this episode!