Every year, M. D. Anderson treats hundreds of patients 18 years of age and younger with diverse malignancies. Psychosocial supportive services can enhance the patient and family's adjustment to treatment and help insure a positive quality of survivorship.
Beginning on Dec. 1, the Child, Adolescent and Young Adult Outreach Program will be available to address the psychosocial and educational needs of all patients ages from birth to18 years. All new patients from birth to 18 years old who remain at M. D. Anderson for care will have a psychosocial/educational needs assessment and evaluation through the Child, Adolescent and Young Adult Outreach Program.
The services and benefits provided to these patients will include:
- Patient and family education, preparation for medical tests and procedures and ongoing peer support groups.
- Classroom and bedside academic instruction by qualified teachers and counselor-liaison services to coordinate schoolwork with the patient's home school or help with the transition back to school.
- GED and SAT preparation, job discovery of career interests, college application assistance and job interviewing skills.
- Assessment and counseling by licensed professionals, neuropsychological and development testing (upon medical consultation).
This new psychosocial outreach program is lead by pediatric psychologist Martha Askins, Ph.D., and sponsored by the Children's Cancer Hospital. Patients will continue to be cared for by their primary care team, but will have access to additional resources that will support their psychosocial and educational needs.
For more information or to refer a patient, call 713-792-6868 or e-mail kidsrule@mdanderson.org.