How Kids Perceive MS Sala S. Webb, MD Webb Psychiatric Consulting, PLLC
Goals • Review basics of development • Share tips for discussion
Development
Early Childhood (3-5) Cognitive Psychological • Development of memory & • Developing a sense of personal imagination control over physical senses (ages 2-4) • Cannot grasp cause & effect or time • Asserting power and control over their environment (ages 5-6)
Early Childhood (3-5) Emotional Social • Feelings are a direct result of the • Egocentric (ages 3-6) situation • Recognize others may have a different opinion, but cannot identity with it ( ages 6-9)
Middle Childhood (6-11) Cognitive Psychological • Increasingly aware of external • Begin to develop a sense of pride events in their accomplishments • Aware their thoughts are unique • Can perform reversible mental actions
Middle Childhood (6-11) Emotional Social • Feelings originate internally from a • Self-reflective concrete location • Able to see themselves from other’s point of view
Adolescence (12-19) Cognitive Psychological • Can understand and manipulate • Develop independence abstract concepts • Explore sense of self • Can perform metacognition
Adolescence (12-19) Emotional Social • Feelings are diffuse in nature (early) • Engage in mutual role-taking • Able to imagine how a 3 rd person • Feelings are influenced by internal and external factors (late) might make judgments on both their own and another’s point of • They can exert control over feelings view
Discussion
The Initial Revelation… • As soon as you know for certain- TELL THEM! • Don’t try to hide, mask or diminish • There is never a “Right Moment”- MAKE TIME!
Explaining the Physiology… • Keep it clear and simple • Pictures and drawings can help • Everyday metaphors can be useful: e.g. computers, electrical wires • Not contagious; likely genetic • Similar to other diseases= diabetes, asthma, etc.
Explaining the Prognosis & Treatment… • Not yet curable • Not lethal • Many good medications and treatment options • Explain what you will be taking/doing
So What Does This Look Like? • Difficulty moving hands and feet • Pain • Difficulty speaking • Challenges with bladder and bowel control • Poor attention and memory • Numbness and tingling • Increased tiredness; low energy • Difficulty walking • Problems sleeping • Changes in appetite and weight
So o What Does s This Mean For Me ? • Will have to find other ways to get you to outside activities (or decrease) • Will have to help more around the house • Will have to help more with younger siblings • May be asked questions by peers
Discussion Tips • Follow your child’s lead • Anticipate and embrace questions • Can use everyday teaching moments • Break up the discussion- no need to cover everything at once! • Connect with a community – local Chapter and other resources • Celebrities
Keep In Mind.. • Children are sponges- they already know! • Children are more resilient than we give them credit for • Include them as much as possible • Do not hide your feelings= going through the range of emotions together as a family can be therapeutic • Maintain a routine as much as possible
Be Alert For… • Withdrawal • Increased worry or fear • Irritability • Aggression • Imitating your symptoms • Declining school performance
Kids are not little adults, but adults are big kids
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