How to Assist Kids with Sickle Cell in Communication

When a child has sickle cell anemia it can be challenging to find out when a crisis is starting, and once it starts how serious it is. Teaching a child with sickle cell anemia to communicate his pain levels and other symptoms will help adults get the child medicated more quickly, which will alleviate symptoms more quickly.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Dry erase board
• Dry erase markers
• Plain round colored discs with magnets on the back

1. Hang a dry erase board at a level the child can easily reach. Draw a happy face on one magnet disc and then draw progressively sadder faces on the remaining discs.

2. Talk to the child about his disease. Let him know that the pain will be easier to manage if he communicates it as quickly as possible. It's important for him to let an adult know what level of pain or discomfort he is experiencing so the proper medication can be given.

3. Teach the child how to use the progressive face discs to communicate levels of pain. Also instruct him on how to use the markers to show where else he feels discomfort or illness. Use a permanent marker to draw a body shape onto the dry erase board. Encourage the child to use the dry erase markers to show where his body hurts by marking on the body illustration.

4. Teach the child to set a timer for 30 minutes. Show him how to start the timer as soon as he takes his pain medications, and when the timer goes off, he can again demonstrate his pain level using the disc faces and body illustration. This will help determine if he needs additional medication.

5. Show the child how to dial 911 and let him know if he is ever alone and a crisis develops to call 911. Teach him to say his name, address and phone number into the phone clearly and slowly. Also tell him the nearest large cross street to the house and have him include that information.

6. Buy him a journal and include a box with markers, crayons, stickers and pencils. Encourage him to write or draw about his feelings regarding the sickle cell anemia.

Tips & Warnings

• Check the dry erase markers often and keep them fresh and new so they will work when he needs them.

• Don't use the system exclusively when determining medication schedules and pain levels of the child. Use it as one tool, combined with mannerisms and other indicators.

References

• Black Health Care: Sickle Cell Anemia