Libsyn Directory

Helping Kids Swallow Pills:Tips and tricks for Parents from a Child Life Specialist (256)-Adina's Story

Child Life On Call | Medical, Parenting, Healthcare, Grief, Trauma, Pediatrics, Coping Skills, Community & Support

Release Date: 05/28/2025

The NICU Dad Experience: A father’s view from the NICU [REPOST] (257)-Alex’s Story

Child Life On Call | Medical, Parenting, Healthcare, Grief, Trauma, Pediatrics, Coping Skills, Community & Support

What happens when your world changes with a single phone call? In this powerful reposted episode, NICU dad and advocate Alex Zavala shares his emotional journey of fatherhood after his daughter was born at just 27 weeks. From the emergency C-section and NICU stay to the emotional toll of the "NICU dad shuffle," Alex opens up about the lesser-heard experience of dads navigating medical trauma, guilt, and resilience. As the host of the NICU Dad Podcast, Alex continues to amplify the voices of fathers facing similar experiences. This conversation is an essential listen for NICU families and...

Helping Kids Swallow Pills:Tips and tricks for Parents from a Child Life Specialist (256)-Adina's Story

Child Life On Call | Medical, Parenting, Healthcare, Grief, Trauma, Pediatrics, Coping Skills, Community & Support

Learning to swallow pills can be a major milestone—and a big challenge—for many kids. In this episode, certified child life specialist Adina Levitan joins host Katie Taylor to break down the myths, fears, and best practices behind teaching children how to confidently swallow pills. From her clinical expertise to creative solutions like affirmations, games, and candy "pill" practice, Adina walks us through her unique approach to supporting kids and parents through this skill-building process. Whether you're a caregiver, clinician, or a parent trying to help your child at home, this episode...

A Microtia Atresia Diagnosis: Hearing Aids, Surgery and a Journey of Hope [REPOST] - Kim's Story(255)

Child Life On Call | Medical, Parenting, Healthcare, Grief, Trauma, Pediatrics, Coping Skills, Community & Support

“You make the best decision for yourself and your family—and you stick with it.”- Kim Pena What happens when you’re handed unexpected news at your child’s birth—and there’s no clear roadmap ahead? In this reposted episode, educator and mom Kim Pena shares her powerful journey as the parent of a child born with Microtia Atresia, a rare congenital condition affecting the ear. Kim was one of Katie’s very first guests on the Child Life On Call podcast, and her story is still a listener favorite to this day. In this repost, Katie kicks off the episode by giving us a quick...

Blended Tube Feeding for G-tube fed Kids & Adults: How a dietician empowers families through food - Hilarie’s Story (254)

Child Life On Call | Medical, Parenting, Healthcare, Grief, Trauma, Pediatrics, Coping Skills, Community & Support

What if blending real food could transform your child’s tube feeding experience—and your entire family’s daily routine? In this inspiring episode, registered dietitian and new mom Hilarie shares how her career in pediatric nutrition led her to create , a platform and supportive community designed to help families explore real food options for children with feeding tubes. Hilarie and Katie have an insightful conversation about doing what works best for your family and how it is not an all-or-nothing approach when it comes to tube feeding. From clinical frustrations to practical...

Prader-Willi Syndrome, Motherhood & Finding Community Through Advocacy [REPOST] (253)- Jessica's Story

Child Life On Call | Medical, Parenting, Healthcare, Grief, Trauma, Pediatrics, Coping Skills, Community & Support

📢 This is a special repost of one of our most heartfelt and insightful episodes. Whether this is your first time hearing Jessica’s story or a revisit, her perspective as a mom of a child with Prader-Willi Syndrome will stick with you. This month is also Prader- Willi Syndrome awareness month. What happens when a diagnosis changes everything you expected about motherhood? For Jessica Patay, it sparked a journey through fear, resilience, advocacy, and ultimately, the founding of an incredible nonprofit called We Are Brave Together. In this deeply moving episode, Jessica opens up about:...

Two Sisters with Cystic Fibrosis - Laura's Story (252)

Child Life On Call | Medical, Parenting, Healthcare, Grief, Trauma, Pediatrics, Coping Skills, Community & Support

What would you do if both of your children were diagnosed with a life-threatening genetic disease—and there was no support system in place for parents like you? In this inspiring episode, Katie interviews Laura Bonnell, a former Detroit news reporter turned full-time advocate and nonprofit founder. After both of her daughters were diagnosed with cystic fibrosis (CF), Laura transformed her grief and determination into the Bonnell Foundation, providing real-time support to families across the U.S. who are navigating life with CF. In this powerful episode, we explore: ✅ How Laura pushed for...

A Nurse Practitioner’s Story of Grief, Strength & Advocacy [REPOST] (251)- Ashley's Story

Child Life On Call | Medical, Parenting, Healthcare, Grief, Trauma, Pediatrics, Coping Skills, Community & Support

📢 This is a special repost of one of our most impactful and heartfelt episodes. Whether you’re hearing Ashley O’Neill’s story for the first time or revisiting it, her journey continues to resonate deeply with NICU families, pediatric providers, and anyone who has faced unimaginable loss and found strength in the aftermath. What happens when your personal and professional worlds collide in the NICU? For family nurse practitioner Ashley O’Neill, the journey into motherhood brought profound loss, relentless medical advocacy, and ultimately, a passion for helping others. Ashley’s...

A Rare Diagnosis Journey: Collagenous Gastritis and IGG deficiency (250)- Alexis' Story

Child Life On Call | Medical, Parenting, Healthcare, Grief, Trauma, Pediatrics, Coping Skills, Community & Support

What if every milestone your child was supposed to reach came with countless curve balls? For Alexis Kaplan, motherhood quickly turned into a journey of advocacy, strength, and unwavering love as she navigated her daughter Gabby’s complex and rare health conditions. In this moving episode, Alexis shares: ✅ The moment her newborn was rushed to the NICU with a collapsed lung ✅ How her daughter’s recurring infections led to a diagnosis of immunodeficiency and collagenous gastritis ✅ The emotional toll—and strength—of being the medical historian and advocate for a...

How to Talk With Children About Child Abuse [REPOST] (249)- Jane's Story

Child Life On Call | Medical, Parenting, Healthcare, Grief, Trauma, Pediatrics, Coping Skills, Community & Support

Knowing how to talk to kids about child abuse can feel overwhelming—but it doesn’t have to be. In this impactful episode of Child Life On Call, host Katie Taylor interviews child abuse prevention advocate Jane Donovan—who also happens to be her mom. Jane shares her personal journey, sparked by a tragic event, that led to a decades-long mission to protect children and educate communities. From creating a long-running puppet program for abuse prevention to empowering kids with body safety tools, this conversation is full of actionable advice for parents, caregivers, educators, and child...

MERRF Syndrome and Motherhood: Raising and Remembering Dahlia - Jessica’s Story (248)

Child Life On Call | Medical, Parenting, Healthcare, Grief, Trauma, Pediatrics, Coping Skills, Community & Support

"We followed Dahlia’s lead—and Dahlia was not going to let this stop her.” — Jessica Fein What happens when your child’s diagnosis is so rare that no one—including your doctors—knows how to help? For Jessica Fein, navigating life with her daughter Dahlia’s MERRF Syndrome meant redefining motherhood, finding joy in unexpected places, and transforming grief into connection and advocacy. In this honest and deeply moving episode, we explore: ✅ What it’s like to go on a diagnostic odyssey, and finally get answers that bring more questions ✅ The complexity of parenting a child...

More Episodes

From her clinical expertise to creative solutions like affirmations, games, and candy "pill" practice, Adina walks us through her unique approach to supporting kids and parents through this skill-building process. Whether you're a caregiver, clinician, or a parent trying to help your child at home, this episode is packed with insight, encouragement, and practical steps you can start today.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

✅ Why pill swallowing is a learned skill that takes time and practice

✅ Tools and strategies to make learning fun and pressure-free

✅ How to create a pill-swallowing kit and step-by-step plan

✅ Creative tricks like affirmations, bingo, and candy practice

✅ Why early, low-stress practice is key—and how to know when to ask for more help

Timestamps & Key Topics

[00:00] – Meet Adina, CCLS
Child life journey and hospital experience in surgery and oncology

[06:00] – The First Pill Swallowing Consult
How a simple Facebook post launched a new resource

[08:00] – Why It’s Not a One-and-Done Skill
Building confidence over weeks, not minutes

[09:00] – The Candy Ladder
Using sprinkles, Nerds, and Tic Tacs as practice tools

[11:00] – The Birth of a Resource
How Adina’s workbook was created for families and clinicians

[12:00] – Unrealistic Hospital Expectations
Why pill swallowing consults need more time and less pressure

[14:00] – Every Kid Is Different
There’s no one-size-fits-all technique—just trial, error, and support

[15:00] – Ideal Ages and Proactive Practice
Why second grade and up is a great place to start

[16:00] – What’s in the Pill Swallowing Workbook?
Affirmations, tools, weekly trackers, tips & tricks, and more

[20:00] – Setting Up for Success
When to practice, how long, and how to keep stress low

[22:00] – Suggested 6–7 Week Practice Plan
Why taking your time is key to success

[23:00] – Incentives & Bingo
Making pill practice feel like play

[24:00] – How to Get the Resource
Details on accessing the workbook for families

Resources & Links

📌Illuminate Child Life Website

📥 Pill Swallowing Workbook

📲 Download the SupportSpot app to get support for procedures and resources today!

🎧 More episodes: https://www.childlifeoncall.com/podcasts

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🎧 Listen Now and Learn How to Make Pill Swallowing Easier for Kids

The Child Life On Call Podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. The content shared in each episode, including stories, discussions, and interviews, is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you heard on this podcast. The views and opinions expressed by guests on the Child Life On Call Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Child Life On Call. Child Life On Call does not endorse any specific medical treatments, procedures, or opinions shared in the podcast. If you or your child are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or seek immediate medical attention. By listening to this podcast, you acknowledge that Child Life On Call and its affiliates are not responsible for any decisions made based on the information provided.

Timestamps & Key Topics

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