Your Child with Arthritis : A Family Guide for Caregiving

by Tucker, Lori B.

• ISBN13: 9780801865343
• ISBN10: 0801865344
• Edition: Reprint
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2000-11-01
• Publisher: Johns Hopkins Univ Pr

Summary

Your Child with Arthritis is designed to help parents and other family members with the challenging task of raising a child with a rheumatic disease. The authors--two pediatric rheumatologists, a physical therapist, and the parent of a child with juvenile arthritis--offer a wealth of information on rheumatic illnesses and explore a range of solutions for medical, emotional, and social and school-related problems. They also emphasize the important message that children should be encouraged to enjoy as many activities as possible, find and pursue their own interests, and develop independence and self-confidence. The book offers detailed descriptions of the common rheumatic diseases that affect children--juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, dermatomyositis, and scleroderma--and provides extensive discussions of symptoms, diagnoses, and medical and other treatments. It covers topics of interest to parents, family members, health care professionals, teachers, and school administrators--in short, everyone concerned with the welfare of children with rheumatic illnesses: ? The major types of childhood arthritis? Diagnostic laboratory tests and procedures ? Medications, physical and occupational therapy, eye care, nutrition, and pain management? Selecting your child's doctor and developing a positive doctor-patient relationship? What to expect and what questions to ask when visiting your child's doctor? How to monitor your child's progress and maintain your own medical records (using the sample forms included)? Working with teachers and school administrators to reduce the impact of rheumatic illness in school? Health care insurance and financial concerns? Coping with the impact of illness on the family? Suggested additional reading as well as information about resources and organizations "Just as there is no single treatment that is effective for every child with rheumatic disease, there is no single 'best way' for families to deal with their child's illness. Your Child with Arthritis: A Family Guide for Caregiving provides information and tools that we hope you will find useful in fashioning your own family's response. We hope that it will make your job as a parent of a child with chronic rheumatic illness a little easier, so that you can concentrate on the joyous adventure of parenting."--from the Introduction

Author Biography

Lori B. Tucker, M.D., is a clinical associate professor in the Division of Rheumatology at the British Columbia Children's Hospital, Vancouver. Bethany A. DeNardo, M.P.H., P.T., is a physical therapist and former research associate for the Division of Pediatric Rheumatology at New England Medical Center. Judith A. Stebulis, M.A., is the parent of a child with juvenile arthritis and a recent medical school graduate. Jane G. Schaller, M.D., is the David and Leona Karp Professor of Pediatrics and head of the Division of Pediatric Rheumatology at the Floating Hospital for Children/New England Medical Center Hospital.

Table of Contents

Preface

Acknowledgments

The Rheumatic Diseases of Childhood

About the Rheumatic Diseases

Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis

Juvenile Spondyloarthropathy Syndromes

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Dermatomyositis

Scleroderma

Vasculitis

Laboratory Tests and Procedures

Options for Medical Care: Health

Care Professionals and Health Care Settings

Choosing a Specialty Care Physician

The Specialty Care Center

The Interdisciplinary Health Care Team

The Clinic Guide

The Range of Available Medications

Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs

Slow-Acting Antirheumatic Drugs

Immunosuppressive Drugs

Corticosteroids

Other Drugs

Getting Your Child to Take Medications without a Fight

Physical and Occupational Therapy

Therapeutic Exercises

Splints, Crutches, and Other Devices

Sample Range-of-Motion Exercise Program

Other Treatments for Children with

Rheumatic Disease

Managing Arthritis Pain

Caring for Your Child's Eyes

Nutrition

Hospitalization and Surgery

Unproven Remedies

Monitoring Your Child's Progress

Directory of Health Care Providers

The Medical History

Recording Office Visits

Schedule of Treatments

Growth Chart

Miscellaneous

Creating a Positive School Environment

Reducing the Impact of Rheumatic Illness in School

Federal and State Laws Governing Education and Civil Rights

Strategies for Effective Communication

Checklist for Students with JRA

Checklist of Items for Consideration in

Developing Individualized Education Plans (IEP) for Students with Physical Disabilities or Special Health Needs

Sample Letters

Telephone Log for School-Related Issues

Financing Health Care

Health Insurance: Terms and Common Practices

Private Health Insurance Plans

Public Health Care Financing

Other Funding Sources

Resolving Disputed Claims

The Child with Rheumatic Disease

What Your Child May Be Feeling

Growing Up with a Rheumatic Disease

Helping Your Child with Daily Life

Sports and Other Recreational Activities

In Their Own Words

Rheumatic Disease and the Family

What You May Be Feeling

Brothers and Sisters

Your Spouse and Your Marriage

Special Concerns of Working Families

Using a Baby-sitter

Sample Clinic Guide

Other Sources of Help: Agencies and Organizations

Glossary

Bibliography

Index

Table of Contents provided by Publisher. All Rights Reserved.