Hospitalization can be a confusing, frightening and overwhelming experience for children and adults alike. But it can be even more so for people with developmental or cognitive disabilities. These emotions may result in their inability or unwillingness to cooperate in their own care, combativeness leading to compromised safety or the need for sedation, and overall family dissatisfaction with the hospital experience.

With this in mind, the Child Life Department now offers a special tour to help prepare adults with cognitive and intellectual disabilities for hospitalization and, if needed, surgery. The-two hour program is designed to show patients what they will likely experience during their stay at the hospital. Led by child life specialists, patients and guardians can:

• Tour parts of the hospital, including admitting, surgery and the unit they will be staying on
• See and handle some of the medical equipment that may be used to care for them, such as stethoscopes, syringes, blood pressure cuffs and oxygen masks
• Receive a developmentally appropriate explanation about why they are coming to the hospital and what will happen when they do
• Learn how to make the health care encounter a more positive one

To register or learn more about the program, call Child Life Services at (312) 942-4054.