USA Child Life Program
The medical care of children is special in that part of the healing process involves simultaneously addressing the physical and emotional needs of the young patient. Our staff creates an environment that is both child-friendly and family-focused. The Child Life program, a special play therapy program designed to help children cope with hospitalization, serves as an example of this commitment.

Making the hospital a positive experience for our patients is our ultimate goal. The importance of play is paramount to children. In fact, children view play similar to the way adults approach work. Play allows children to express their feelings, promoting a sense of mastery and facilitating coping. Opportunities for play are age-appropriate and are available to patients seven days a week.

Medical play and preparation are important aspects of our Child Life Program. Medical Supplies, along with teaching dolls and puppets, are utilized to help prepare children for upcoming procedures.
The staff share explanations with children about procedures on a level they are able to understand. Through these experiences, misconceptions or concerns the child has about their treatment can be addressed.

For patients who are scheduled for surgery, a Child Life Specialist can accompany the child to the operating room to provide comfort and support. Our objective is to decrease anxiety, reduce any depression and aggressing that a patient may be experiencing.

Another goal of the Child Life Specialist is to keep a patient's life as normal as possible. This is demonstrated through our Class Act Program. Our Class Act Program is a unique program designed to help children continue their education and personal growth during periods of illness. The program is specially helpful to children fighting chronic illnesses, but also helps patients who enter the hospital for just a few days. Based out of the Class Act Room, the program is a cooperative effort between the hospital and the Mobile County School System. Two Mobile County school teachers staff this program and provide daily instruction for hospitalized kids in grades K-12.

University of South Alabama Children's and Women's Hospital
1700 Center Street, Mobile, AL, 36604-3391
Phone #: (251) 415-1000 | Fax #: (251) 415-1255