Children with Sickle Cell
© Copyright 2016 Storma Sire
Children with Sickle Cell
It’s hard enough being a kid, but to have sickle cell on top of that can be daunting and overwhelming. The key factor is to have lots of support systems in place (family, friends, medical teams, etc) as well as a positive outlook on life. Kids need to know that they too can aspire to have a normal, healthy, active life and that there is so much to look forward to. It is important that medical teams maintain a positive outlook, but are honest about diagnosis. Avoiding “medical hexing” is vital as well. It is important that family and friends aren’t whispering around the child about their impending doom. An honest, realistic, positive, low stress environment and tone is best. Family and friends want to be helpful, so it is important for kids with sickle cell to express what they need. When kids are in hospital it is vital to get them healthy, nutrient dense food and drink, so that they are not dependent on poor quality hospital food. Kids heal faster and feel better when there is good food / snacks and drink around, and this is something that family and friends can bring while the child is in hospital and at home in recovery.
Activities for Kids with Sickle Cell
Kids with sickle cell are often tired and fatigued, so learning to do activities that do not take up too much energy and are educational can be helpful:
Academics and School Life Challenges for Children with Sickle Cell
Academically the trick is to teach kids to work smarter not harder with regard to learning. It is vitally important that children with SC learn how to learn (metacognition). This may sound odd at first, but it can be a defining factor in the future academic life a child. Every child has a distinct way of learning (auditory, visual, kinetic, or a combination). If a child knows how to teach themselves to learn any subject then they can do a lot more in less time and effort. Learning strategies like speed reading, good note taking and other study skills that are tailored to a child’s distinctive learning style can make the difference between success and failure in school and success and failure in life / work / career. Kids with sickle cell usually have difficulty in school due to frequently missing classes and so homework piles up. This can lead to frustration, anger, grief, hopelessness, and feeling overwhelmed and depressed, so learning to do things effectively, faster, and more efficient is key. Mastering good learning strategies and metacognition can do a world of good at any age.
Good communication with teachers and principals at schools when the child is first enrolled can be helpful as well. Usually teachers are understanding, but some are not. Some are ignorant of what a child with sickle cell goes through, so they think the child is being lazy, faking illness, getting favoritism, etc. The best thing to do is to give teachers (especially new teachers) at the beginning of each semester some information on sickle cell to smooth things along during the rest of the year.
Another consideration is having a variety of useful and employable skills. Kids are more successful when they have learned or mastered a trade (such as sewing and textiles / tailors and dressmakers, telephone operators, cook / chef, airline pilot or technician, electrician, locksmiths, mechanics, carpentry, dietitians, esthetician, hairstylists / barbers, jewelers / watch repairs, arts and crafts, cobblers, baking, agriculture / horticulture, child / youth workers, bartending, etc) as well as a specific profession (teaching, engineering, psychology / psychiatry, medicine, nursing, herbology and botany, pharmacy, web design and computer science, law, business, finance and investing, etc). Add some basic computer, web design, and business skills and you may have a recipe for success for the child of the future. Having more job options and opportunities as well as something to fall back on can make all the difference. A child with sickle cell needs a few extra skills up there sleeve to make up for illnesses. Knowing how to survive once out of school is vital. Home businesses are ideal for the chronically ill person, so being able to take their trade, profession, and computer skills, and turn it into something they can do at home when not feeling well is perfect.
The Social Life of a Child with Sickle Cell
Coming Soon
Depression and Grief for the Child with Sickle Cell
Coming Soon
It’s hard enough being a kid, but to have sickle cell on top of that can be daunting and overwhelming. The key factor is to have lots of support systems in place (family, friends, medical teams, etc) as well as a positive outlook on life. Kids need to know that they too can aspire to have a normal, healthy, active life and that there is so much to look forward to. It is important that medical teams maintain a positive outlook, but are honest about diagnosis. Avoiding “medical hexing” is vital as well. It is important that family and friends aren’t whispering around the child about their impending doom. An honest, realistic, positive, low stress environment and tone is best. Family and friends want to be helpful, so it is important for kids with sickle cell to express what they need. When kids are in hospital it is vital to get them healthy, nutrient dense food and drink, so that they are not dependent on poor quality hospital food. Kids heal faster and feel better when there is good food / snacks and drink around, and this is something that family and friends can bring while the child is in hospital and at home in recovery.
Activities for Kids with Sickle Cell
Kids with sickle cell are often tired and fatigued, so learning to do activities that do not take up too much energy and are educational can be helpful:
- reading,
- writing stories or journaling,
- arts, crafts,
- music,
- stretching / yoga,
- meditation,
- educational and entertaining movies,
- board games,
- brain teasers and puzzles, etc.
- gardening
- visits with friends or family
- dolls, lego, toys,
- building models, sewing kits, etc.
Academics and School Life Challenges for Children with Sickle Cell
Academically the trick is to teach kids to work smarter not harder with regard to learning. It is vitally important that children with SC learn how to learn (metacognition). This may sound odd at first, but it can be a defining factor in the future academic life a child. Every child has a distinct way of learning (auditory, visual, kinetic, or a combination). If a child knows how to teach themselves to learn any subject then they can do a lot more in less time and effort. Learning strategies like speed reading, good note taking and other study skills that are tailored to a child’s distinctive learning style can make the difference between success and failure in school and success and failure in life / work / career. Kids with sickle cell usually have difficulty in school due to frequently missing classes and so homework piles up. This can lead to frustration, anger, grief, hopelessness, and feeling overwhelmed and depressed, so learning to do things effectively, faster, and more efficient is key. Mastering good learning strategies and metacognition can do a world of good at any age.
Good communication with teachers and principals at schools when the child is first enrolled can be helpful as well. Usually teachers are understanding, but some are not. Some are ignorant of what a child with sickle cell goes through, so they think the child is being lazy, faking illness, getting favoritism, etc. The best thing to do is to give teachers (especially new teachers) at the beginning of each semester some information on sickle cell to smooth things along during the rest of the year.
Another consideration is having a variety of useful and employable skills. Kids are more successful when they have learned or mastered a trade (such as sewing and textiles / tailors and dressmakers, telephone operators, cook / chef, airline pilot or technician, electrician, locksmiths, mechanics, carpentry, dietitians, esthetician, hairstylists / barbers, jewelers / watch repairs, arts and crafts, cobblers, baking, agriculture / horticulture, child / youth workers, bartending, etc) as well as a specific profession (teaching, engineering, psychology / psychiatry, medicine, nursing, herbology and botany, pharmacy, web design and computer science, law, business, finance and investing, etc). Add some basic computer, web design, and business skills and you may have a recipe for success for the child of the future. Having more job options and opportunities as well as something to fall back on can make all the difference. A child with sickle cell needs a few extra skills up there sleeve to make up for illnesses. Knowing how to survive once out of school is vital. Home businesses are ideal for the chronically ill person, so being able to take their trade, profession, and computer skills, and turn it into something they can do at home when not feeling well is perfect.
The Social Life of a Child with Sickle Cell
Coming Soon
Depression and Grief for the Child with Sickle Cell
Coming Soon
Other related links:
Sickle Cell Anemia
Written by Paulo Cesar Naoum, BSc, Phd and Alia F. Naoum , MtSc. MSc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4-c3hUhhyc
Children's Healthcare of Atlanta
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2o3wQ-mJZuQ
Sickle Cell Anemia
Written by Paulo Cesar Naoum, BSc, Phd and Alia F. Naoum , MtSc. MSc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4-c3hUhhyc
Children's Healthcare of Atlanta
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2o3wQ-mJZuQ
Disclaimer:
Information or materials on this website are not intended to treat or replace your doctor’s advice nor do we endorse any particular product, technique, or idea. It is highly recommended that patients contact their haematologists or health care provider for adequate care and treatment.
Information or materials on this website are not intended to treat or replace your doctor’s advice nor do we endorse any particular product, technique, or idea. It is highly recommended that patients contact their haematologists or health care provider for adequate care and treatment.
