At Texas Children’s Hospital North Austin Campus, healing goes beyond medicine. Through its Child Life Program, certified child life specialists, like Sarah Hibbeln, CCLS, provide emotional and developmental support to pediatric patients and their families, transforming clinical settings into spaces of understanding, comfort and play.
“Our mission is to help families cope with the stress of hospitalization, illness or injury,” Hibbeln said. “We meet children where they are — developmentally and emotionally — and use play as a language to help them understand what’s happening.”
Serving infants through young adults up to age 20, the program supports patients in outpatient clinics, inpatient units and intensive care. Using developmentally appropriate tools, specialists assess a child’s understanding of their condition and tailor interventions. That may include books, hospital tours or medical play using dolls or teddy bears to rehearse upcoming procedures.
For Isabella, a Dripping Springs mother whose five-year-old son Logan was diagnosed with leukemia, the support came at just the right time.
“Child Life came in kind of like a ray of sunshine,” she said. “They were able to talk with Logan, play with him and not make it seem so scary.”
Hibbeln shared the story of a young cancer patient terrified of her port access procedures. She introduced a teddy bear outfitted with a medical-grade port and simulated the entire experience.
“We practiced each step, from cleaning the site to choosing whether to look away,” she said. “When she faced the real procedure, she was calmer, more prepared. And though there were still some tears, afterward, she turned to me and said, ‘I knew what happened.’ She was so proud. That’s why we do this.”
Isabella recalled a similar experience.
“Sarah came in with a teddy bear to show Logan how and where the port would be placed. That tangible example made a huge difference,” she said. “She also created personalized storybooks for Logan and his sister to explain what was happening in a gentle way. It was such a thoughtful gesture.”
For many families, this kind of tailored preparation and familiarity makes the hospital feel less overwhelming.
“She really meets Logan where he’s at, at that moment or on that day,” Isabella added. “Either she’s there for support or, if he’s having a hard time, she’s great with distractions.”
While services such as art and music therapy are still in development at the Austin campus, the team has recently launched several programs. One of them is the Teddy Bear Clinic, an interactive event where children use their stuffed animals to role-play hospital visits. More than 200 people attended the event in its first year.
The program’s impact extends to families and caregivers as well. Through daily rounds and interdisciplinary conferences, child life specialists help ensure that families feel heard and supported in care decisions. They also help siblings and parents adapt to the hospital environment by creating resources that explain medical situations in age-appropriate ways.
Volunteers and donors are essential to the program’s success, helping stock playrooms, provide books and fund therapeutic materials that help children feel more at ease. These resources also allow specialists to personalize their care strategies, from distraction tools to educational play.
“Logan lights up when Sarah walks in,” Isabella said. “We call her backpack the Mary Poppins bag — there’s always something fun in it. She’s made clinic days feel a little more normal.”
“We couldn’t do this without community support,” Hibbeln said. “Together, we’re giving children and families the tools to face healthcare challenges with courage and confidence.”
To learn more, visit www.texaschildrens.org/departments/child-life-department
“Child Life came in kind of like a ray of sunshine.”
Child Life Services
- Ease a child's fear and anxiety with therapeutic and recreational play activities.
- Encourage understanding and cooperation by providing preparation and support for children undergoing tests, surgeries and other medical procedures.
- Advocate for patient and family-centered care.
- Consider the needs of siblings or other children who may also be affected by a child's illness or trauma.