One of the many joys of parenting a child with special health needs is seeing them through their treatments. And yes, that is sarcasm. Watching your child go through procedures and tests is torture. The worst for me was Maggie’s last chest x-ray. She gets one each year to check her lungs for inflammation. This time, though, I was pregnant and couldn’t be in the room with her. However, I was close enough to the room to hear her screaming. My mother was with her, but it didn’t matter. Maggie wanted nothing to do with the process at all and how do you get a toddler to sit perfectly still for multiple x-rays. You don’t, and that just leads to more x-ray taking and more worry. So next year, I need a plan.
Since she will be three, hopefully I will be able to explain to her why she is getting the x-ray and that it will be over quickly. I can tell her information about what the x-ray is and that she will get to see a picture of her lungs after the x-ray is over. Maybe she will understand, maybe she won’t. If your child is old enough, definitely clue them in as to why this test is happening in simple language she can understand.
Tell your child that you will be with them the entire time. If you are pregnant, like I was, bring someone else along whom your child trusts and likes.
Your child can bring her favorite stuffed animal, book, toy, or blanket to help comfort her. Allow her to pick which item she would like to bring, keep it with her while you wait and near her while the x-ray is being taken.
Ensure your child that the x-ray will not hurt at all. If she has brought along a favorite stuffed animal, you can ask the technician to take a pretend x-ray of the animal first to show your child how easy it is and that it is pain free.
If your child is young, expect crying and fighting. Being forced to sit up straight and have your arms and legs held in position is not a fun experience, and all of the equipment in the room is scary. Be prepared to give plenty of hugs and reassurance.