Question

Should children/youth who receive a diagnosis of a chronic illness be told the truth about their disease?

As a consulting Child and Youth Therapist or Child Life Specialist, begin to prepare for your session involving discussion with the parents focusing on the child/youth. Research the topic including what parents should tell their children/youth about their diagnosis and prognosis, and how the information (both content and delivery) might vary across age groups.

Answer 1

Children should be told about their medical conditions in order to avoid the future hazards. Because as children or youth they are more likely to explore into many possible things, if they are not being told what are the symptoms which can aggrevate the illness they would never know. It is always helpful to tell them, since they can work on that can prevent those things such any eating restrictions or any allergic things. This won't make them stand out of other kids or youth, it can provide them an energy to beat the illness.

For children it is necessary to tell what should be avoided so that there is no relapse or what are the reasons behind putting so many restrictions on child. Whereas for an youth it can be discussed easily as youth is able to understand but at the same time lot of friends or family support should be provided so that person is not depressed. Child compared to youth is always care free, and forgets but youth keeps on thinking about it. Hence to keep youth's mood uplifted he or she should be boosted to fight against the illness