Supporting Kids After a Burn Injury

Unlike other diagnoses or injuries that can impact children internally, a burn injury visibly effects the outside appearance of a child. As children grow they may have different worries or questions about their appearance and have a different understanding of what happened. Also, what is stressful for children changes over time based on their development level.

Children from 6-12 years old typically show pride in what they can do (i.e., school, sports, hobbies) and making friends is important. Kids are developing self-confidence and benefit from positive social interactions at this age.

Teenagers from 13-17 years old are figuring out who they are and what they want for their future. Peer influence can be high at this time as teen explore and test out certain behaviors. They can feel that people are watching them or no one has gone through what they have gone through.

Create a Safe Space

Provide a safe environment where you can let you child be (and feel) heard about how they feel about their burn injury. Some kids were injured when they were too young to remember and all they know are their scars. No matter if a burn injury happened a while ago or recently, it can still have a great impact as a child gets older.

Help Grow Their Confidence

When interacting with others after a burn injury, kids may feel self-conscious of their appearance if it is perceived as different from their peers. Staring at differences is common, especially among children. Help your kids know that staring is often not meant to be rude. People may stare out of curiosity or concern. Although no one can control when other people stare, we can take responsibility for our reactions to the staring. Helping kids learn how to address others can help promote their self-confidence and prepare them for any interaction.

Find Their Community

Give your child opportunities to interact with others who have a shared experience. Many kids may not get to interact with other kids when they are in the hospital for a burn injury. Kids may think that no one else has experienced what they have.

Attending a burn camp or participating in a peer support group can let kids realize they are not alone. Nationwide Children’s Hospital hosts an annual one-day burn camp called Healthy Healing Burn Camp (this year on Saturday, September 16 at Flying Horse Farms). There are also camps throughout that nation the serve the burn community which can be found through the International Association of Burn Camps (IABC). These camps include an opportunity for burn survivors aged 3 and up and their family members to interact, create friendships, and engage in cooperative activities to promote the healthy healing process.

Healthy Healing Burn Camp

If your child is interested in this year’s Healthy Healing Burn Camp, apply here.