Adaptive Care Plans

What is an adaptive care plan?

An adaptive care plan is for children (ages 3 and older) and teens who may have a hard time coping with medical experiences. It gives doctors, nurses and other team members helpful information, such as:

• How we can best approach and communicate with your child.

• Things we may need to adapt for your child’s procedures or other medical experiences.

• The amount and type of information we should give your child before their medical experiences.

• Ideas for how to help your child cope.

• What may make your child upset and how they may react.

Does my child need an adaptive care plan?

Please click on the links below to see information about supporting your child with their medical experiences at Children’s Mercy:

• Comfort Promise

• Coping and Relaxation Tips

• What to Expect

After looking at the above links, please think about these questions:

1. Does your child need more support than what is described in the links?

2. Have they had difficult medical experiences in the past, and do you think future experiences will be challenging?

3. Do they have developmental, behavioral, or mental health needs that may impact the way they cope with a medical procedure or experience?

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, your child may benefit from an adaptive care plan.

How do I get an adaptive care plan for my child?

Your child will need to be referred to the Adaptive Care Team (ACT).

ACT is a team of child life specialists who work with families to:

• Understand your child’s unique needs

• Make a plan for future medical experiences.

• Provide support for you and your child during the medical experience

Your child’s medical team can contact the ACT to refer your child

OR

You can contact ACT directly by calling (816) 983-6870 or messaging “Child Life Messages” in the MyChildrensMercy Patient Portal.

There is no cost for an adaptive care plan.

What happens after my child has been referred to the Adaptive Care Team?

1. An ACT member will call you or message you through the patient portal to:

• • Learn more about your child.

  • Talk about different ways to support your child during future medical experiences.

2. The ACT will make an adaptive care plan for your child.

• • The adaptive care plan will be added to your child’s medical record.

  • Medical team members will be able to see the adaptive care plan when they open your child’s chart.