Pikto Chart: A Short History
Hospital Play and Child Life Therapy in Australia: A Short History
Switching Titles to Child Life Therapy
In June 2014, thanks to the generous support of Australian children’s cancer charity Camp Quality, ACLTA (then AAHPS, Australian Association of Hospital Play Specialists) held a Strategic Forum on Hospital Play in Australia. Representatives from all states and territories (except NT), and from a range of child life therapy services (Children’s Hospitals, sole practitioners, private practice) came together to set the course for the Association, and profession, in the coming years. One of the agreements of the Forum, which was later passed by ACLTA Member Vote, was to unify professional and association titles. Up until this point, there had been many titles to describe the role across Australia – including play therapist, educational play therapist, hospital play specialist, and play coordinator. This led to confusion and difficulty in evolving the profession.
‘Child Life’ is the professional title used throughout USA, Canada and many other countries. It is internationally recognized and associated with the growing body of evidence demonstrating the efficacy and benefits of therapeutic play and psychological preparation for children in healthcare. By aligning with the professional title of Child Life Therapist (and collectively as the Association of Child Life Therapists Australia), we recognise the full scope of our evidence-based practice, and provide an opportunity to strengthen our identity. The Association declared its “Switchover Date” for this title change was as of 17 November 2014.
ACLTA understands it may take time for services and professionals to change their titles at individual healthcare facilities. We encourage ACLTA Members particularly to show leadership in this process, and create opportunities for discussion about the title change – whether that be between child life therapists, Hospital Executives, Allied Health and Nurse Unit Managers, team leaders, other healthcare professionals, and the children and families we serve.
📎 ACLTA Framework: Scope of Practice for Child Life Therapists in Australia
(Including Assistant, Practitioner, Senior Practitioner and Manager levels). This may assist in redrafting/creating position descriptions at facilities, so they are in unison with other child life therapy positions across the country.
📎 American Academy of Paediatrics statement on the importance of child life therapy
2014 Policy Statement on Child Life Services
📎 The Value of Certified Child Life Specialists: Direct and Downstream Optimization of Pediatric Patient and Family Outcomes
While ACLTA did not create these documents, these Statements make clear “why we do what we do” as Child Life Therapists (and may be helpful for showing others why we are aligning with a title that is used in the USA/Canada).
📎 Child Life Therapists in Australia
ACLTA’s free, printable flyer about our profession
Resources
In order to assist with these discussions, the Executive have compiled some resources that may assist in these discussions and changes. Some of these are listed below, however please also refer to the Recommended Frameworks page and Association Documents page.
Need guidance and support?
Contact the ACLTA Executive via the Contact Us button below to be put in touch with your State/Territory Representative.