Anxiety In Paediatric Food Allergy - Involving Child Life Therapists To Assist Food Allergy Management

For some children high levels of anxiety can inhibit the management of their food allergy; particularly when skin prick tests (SPT) and/or oral food challenges (OFC) cannot be performed. At John Hunter Children's Hospital (JHCH) the role of the child life therapist to assist these procedures has been explored with very positive outcomes for families. Children who have shown high levels of anxiety which impact on the clinical management of their food allergy were identified and referred to the Child Life Therapist. The Child Life Therapist assist in developing an individualised plan for each child to assist them to complete the procedure (OFC and/or SPT) whilst minimising the stress experienced. Child Life Therapists allow children to participate in the medical procedures required for the best management of their food allergy.