Tips for parents: Empowering your child

How other parents help their children live well with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis: 

• Be open and matter of fact when talking to others about it and do so in front of your child so they learn it is not something to hide. If you see people looking, take advantage of the educational opportunity to talk with them.
  Jennifer, Calif.
  
  
• Talk to teachers about it so they are aware and can be watchful for comments or bullying. Encourage children not to let psoriasis define them.
  Andrea, Ariz.
  
  
• Become involved, be proactive, and be a part of the solution—work towards finding/funding a CURE!
  Athena, Penn.
  
  
• Know what you're up against—educate yourself about the disease. Help them with their confidence, help them understand what they have and how to explain it to others. Talk to principals, teachers and caregivers—educate them and make them aware of any teasing going on so they can help.
  Denise, New Jersey
  
  
• Educate them, and their friends about psoriasis. Also educate school staff, and any adults such as girl scout leaders, dance teachers, or team coaches.
  Aimee, Rhode Island
  


• I feel that as parents it is very important to stay positive. Children can easily become discouraged or overwhelmed by the appearance of psoriasis, medicines, limitations and/or pain. I always remind my daughter how brave she is.
  Debra, New Jersey.
  
  
• The best advice is to talk to people. An initial diagnosis of psoriasis is very scary, especially if the spots don't stop coming. We found that talking to the teachers and sharing the Bernie's Secret book was helpful. We didn't try to cover up the lesions much when our son was four, but now that he's older he might feel differently. It seemed that facts and "thanks for your concern" were the best responses.
  Danielle, Wash.
  
  

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