Alarmingly, recently-released research shows on average, 20.8% of children are challenged by chronic pain at some point in their childhood – approximately five kids in each classroom.
As students settle into their final term of the year, experts are calling for increased attention to chronic pain in Australian children, in line with National Children’s Week (19th – 27th October).
In children, chronic pain can cause them to miss 22% of their schooling, an average of nine weeks of school per year, resulting in lost learning opportunities, feelings of isolation and the potential for increased bullying.
The long-term impact of chronic pain, defined as persistent or recurring pain lasting longer than three months, can extend into adulthood, often predicting poorer outcomes such as work-loss.
A major challenge surrounding children’s pain is the stigma, often linked to the fact that pain is invisible. Neuroscience shows that pain is not purely physical or emotional – it’s a combination of both. How a child thinks about their pain can influence how much they feel it.
By teaching children new ways of thinking about their pain and “turning down the volume”, this can help them reconnect with their lives.
Speaking the same, universal language about pain, increases the chances of improving the lives of families facing these challenges.
Studies show the use of age-appropriate language and further education of pain, allows children to better communicate their individual concept of pain.
This National Children’s Week (19th – 27th October), Australian parents are encouraged to discuss pain with their children to better understand their perspectives on pain.
To support these conversations, leading Australian children’s pain researcher Dr Joshua Pate has developed the Zoe and Zak’s Pain Hacks book series
