Your Child with Arthritis is designed to help parents and other family members with the challenging task of raising a child with a rheumatic disease. The authors -- two pediatric rheumatologists, a physical therapist, and the parent of a child with juvenile arthritis -- offer a wealth of information on rheumatic illnesses and explore a range of solutions for medical, emotional, and social and school-related problems. They also emphasize the important message that children should be encouraged to enjoy as many activities as possible, find and pursue their own interests, and develop independence and self-confidence.

The book offers detailed descriptions of the common rheumatic diseases that affect children -- juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, dermatomyositis, and scleroderma -- and provides extensive discussions of symptoms, diagnoses, and medical and other treatments. It covers topics of interest to parents, family members, health care professionals, teachers, and school administrators -- in short, everyone concerned with the welfare of children with rheumatic illnesses: The major types of childhood arthritis Diagnostic laboratory tests and procedures Medications, physical and occupational therapy, eye care, nutrition, and pain managementA Selecting your child's doctor and developing a positive doctor-patient relationship What to expect and what questions to ask when visiting your child's doctor How to monitor your child's progress and maintain your own medical records (using the sample forms included) Working with teachers and school administrators to reduce the impact of rheumatic illness in school Health care insurance and financial concernsA Coping with the impact of illness on the family Suggested additional reading as well as information about resources and organizations

"Just as there is no single treatment that is effective for every child with rheumatic disease, there is no single 'best way' for families to deal with their child's illness. Your Child with Arthritis: A Family Guide for Caregiving provides information and tools that we hope you will find useful in fashioning your own family's response. We hope that it will make your job as a parent of a child with chronic rheumatic illness a little easier, so that you can concentrate on the joyous adventure of parenting." -- from the Introduction