What's Different about Children?

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Chapter 1: What’s Different about Children?

Overview:

• How children differ from adults
• Describes the various methods of assessing a sick child
• How to communicate with a child affectively and compassionately
• Methods of response to a child’s illness

Description:

Children are often thought of as ‘little adults’. However, they are different from adults in their anatomy, their physiology, and their psychology. As healthy children grow older, illnesses, injuries, and the ageing process damage their bodies. This chapter gives an overview of the differences between children and adults.

Topics:

• Little adults?
• Physical and physiological differences
• Assessing a sick child
• Communicating with children
• Responding to illnesses and treatment

Speaker / Author:

Gerry Silk
Gerry is a registered paediatric nurse who holds a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in education. Gerry trained at The Hospital for Sick Children, Great Ormond Street, London, and now has more than 30 years experience in the care of sick children in various settings, including major city hospitals and outback Australia. Gerry spent 15 years working in the Emergency Department of the Royal Children’s Hospital (Melbourne, Australia), including ten years as the clinical nurse educator. She now works part-time as a paediatric nurse educator at the Angliss Hospital (Melbourne).

Gerry also runs her own business in paediatric health education and consultancy. In this capacity she presents seminars and educational sessions for parent groups, nurses, and other health professionals. While at the Royal Children’s Hospital, Gerry had a particular interest in the care of suddenly bereaved families. She developed hospital guidelines for the care of families affected by sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), and these guidelines are now used around Australia. Gerry continues to have strong links with the ‘SIDS & Kids’ organisation, and conducts creative scrapbooking workshops for bereaved parents.

Gerry also instigated the use of calico dolls with children who are receiving health care. The dolls are now used throughout Australia and in many countries overseas — with the support of the Kiwanis organisation, which coordinates the making of the dolls. As a result of this initiative, Gerry was awarded the Victorian Community Service award in 1993. Gerry is especially interested in the cultural aspects of health care, and her postgraduate studies (which included studying in China) reflected this abiding interest. Gerry regularly works in developing countries for a couple of weeks each year, which also assists her to indulge in her love of travel.

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