Your Child with Arthritis: A Family Guide for Caregiving (Johns Hopkins Press Health Book)

This manual is designed to help parents and other family members with the challenging task of raising a child with a rheumatic disease. The authors - two paediatric rheumatologists, a physical therapist, and the parent of a child with juvenile arthritis - offer 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, and provides discussions of symptoms, diagnoses, and medical and other treatments. It addresses selecting your child's doctor and developing a positive doctor-patient relationship, as well as what to expect and what questions to ask when visiting the doctor. Health care insurance and financial concerns are also covered, along with coping with the impact of the illness on the family.