Proper preparation for a test or procedure may reduce your child's anxiety, encourage cooperation, and help the child develop coping skills.

Information

Understand that your child probably will cry, and that preparation may not change the fact that your child will feel some discomfort or pain. Use play to demonstrate what will happen during the test. You may also discover your child's concerns about the test.

The most important way you can help is by preparing your child ahead of time, and supporting the child during the procedure. Explaining the procedure will be of value in reducing your child's anxiety. Let your child participate and make as many decisions as possible.

PRE-PROCEDURE PREPARATION:

Limit explanations to 20 minutes each, in several sessions, if necessary. School age children have a good concept of time, allowing for preparation in advance of the procedure. The older your child, the earlier in advance you can begin preparation.

Here are some general guidelines for preparing your child for a test or procedure:

* Explain the procedure in language your child understands, and use concrete terms, avoiding abstract terminology.
* Make sure your child understands the exact body part involved, and that the procedure will be limited to that area.
* To the best of your ability, describe how the test will feel.
* Stress the benefits of the procedure and talk about things that the child may find pleasurable afterwards, such as feeling better, or going home. After the test you may want to take your child for ice cream or some other treat, but do not make this conditional on "being good" for the test.
* Suggest ways for staying calm: o Counting o Deep breathing o Relaxation (thinking pleasant thoughts)
* Allow your child to participate in simple tasks.
* Encourage participation during the procedure, such as holding an instrument, if allowed.
* Let your child to hold your hand or the hand of someone else helping with the procedure. Physical contact like this can help reduce pain and anxiety.

PLAY PREPARATION:

Play and third-person communication can be wonderful in revealing ways of demonstrating the procedure for your child, and identifying concerns.

For younger school age children, this technique is appropriate. Older school age children might view this approach as childish. Consider the intellectual needs of your child before using this type of communication.

Older children may benefit from films that show children of the same age explaining, demonstrating, and undergoing the same procedure. Ask your health care provider if such films are available for your child's viewing.

The play technique should be tailored to each child, and most health care facilities that are oriented towards children (such as a children's hospital) will use a similar technique to prepare your child. This type of communication may take some practice.

Children, when asked direct questions about their feelings, are often avoidant and elusive. Of course, some children are happy to share their feelings with you, but as anxiety and fear increase, it is not uncommon for a child to withdraw.

Most young children have an object or toy of importance that may be a tool for a type of interaction called third-party communication.

It may be less threatening for your child to communicate concerns through the toy or object than to express them directly. For example, imagine a fearful 7-year-old girl -- about to have her blood drawn -- holding her well-loved doll. Such a child might be able to understand if you discussed how the doll might might "feel" during the test.

Toys or dolls might help you explain the procedure. Young school age children are still concrete thinkers -- they take everything literally, without making deductions or generalizations.

Once you are familiar with the procedure, demonstrate on the object what your child will experience. For example, show positioning, bandages, stethoscopes, and cleaning the skin.

Drawing is another way for children to express themselves. Ask your child to draw the procedure after you have explained and demonstrated it. You may be able to identify concerns or misconceptions through your child's artistic expression.

DURING THE PROCEDURE:

Your presence helps your infant during the procedure, especially if the procedure allows you to maintain physical contact. You will be able to hold your child during the study. The chair does rock and this might calm the child. We ask that the number of people present to be limited to the parents only. Too many people in the testing room can be a distraction to the patient and the test will not be as accurate.