“Kids and teens need so much more than medicine…”
Whether your child has high anxieties when it comes to a blood draw or your teen has questions about how to cope with his/her diagnosis, a Certified Child Life Specialist is available on a daily basis at Sanford Children’s Specialty Clinic to address these fears and concerns.
Sanford Children’s Specialty Clinic recognizes your child or teen’s emotional needs are just as important as their medical needs… every child and teen’s method of coping with the medical world is unique!
A Child Life Specialist is Accessible to Enhance Your Child or Teens Skills by the Following:
- Provide supportive relationships with patients and families
- Assessment of child/teen’s coping skills and capabilities
- Enhance understanding of diagnosis and treatment process
- Preparation for various procedures in terms children and teens can understand
- Medical play sessions to promote expression and understanding of medical environment
- Play and craft activities during infusions
- Parental support regarding children’s developmental perceptions of medical events
- Facilitate therapeutic activities to encourage expression regarding diagnosis
- Create coping plans with patients to enhance comfort and compliance with procedures
- Provide support to patients and families regarding compliance with at home medications
- Facilitate distraction during procedures (play, guided imagery, deep breathing, etc.)
- Provide information regarding your child’s developmental milestones
- Grief and bereavement support
- Ongoing Hematology/Oncology diagnosis support
Sanford Children’s Specialty Clinic Child Life Involved Programs:
- Pediatric Oncology Support Group
- Parents Pushing Forward
- Kids Kicking Cancer
- Bonding Buddies
- Diabetic Support Group
- KIDZ: Kids in the Diabetic Zone
- Oncology School Re-Entry Program
- Camp Bring-it-On
- Sanford Children’s Specialty Clinic Volunteer Program
You can help by donating to Sanford Children's Child Life Department!
Our Wish List
Make a Cash Gift
To contact Child Life regarding questions, comments or concerns regarding your Child’s or teen’s coping please utilize the contact information below:
Carrie Kindopp, CCLS Certified Child Life Specialist
605-333-4279
kindoppc@sanfordhealth.org | 
