A different kind of care

Dr. Gilles Julien unveils innovative way of treating children living in poverty. The respected social pediatrician also encourages parents to talk and listen to their children

Over one million Canadian children live in poverty, according to Statistics Canada. This is the most widespread affliction threatening children in "wealthy" Western societies. The number of children suffering the effects of poverty now exceeds the number of children suffering from cancer or kidney disease – or any other major malady treated in major pediatric health centres.

You are invited to the launch of Dr. Gilles Julien's two new books: A Different Kind of Care: The Social Pediatrics Approach and Aide-moi à te parler ! La communication parent-enfant. Dr. Julien, a practitioner of social pediatrics, unveils a new way of understanding and treating children suffering from the damaging effects of poverty. He also talks about why it is imperative that parents take time to talk to and listen to their children.

His book A Different Kind of Care: The Social Pediatrics Approach has just been translated into English thanks to financial support from the Montreal Children's Hospital of the McGill University Health Centre and the Montreal Children's Hospital Foundation, while his latest book, Aide-moi à te parler! La communication parent-enfant, has just been published by Éditions Sainte-Justine.

"Pediatricians practice pediatrics. Social pediatricians stick their noses into anything and everything that can help children, especially children in distress," says Dr. Julien. "Social pediatrics complements the traditional practice of pediatics by creating a network within the community to empower children and their families. By enlisting the aid not only of medical professionals but of teachers, lawyers, social workers, psychologists, politicians, family, friends and neighbours, the physical, social and emotional needs of children can be met, assuring every child of a loving and stimulating environment, quality education, and the opportunity for growth and development."

Here are some of the children helped by Dr. Julien. These stories are excerpted from his book.

Max's story
Eight-year-old Max never cried. He lived with his mum, who worked as a prostitute. He had witnessed sordid scenes, from violence to the attempted murder of family members. This is the type of severe trauma children of war experience – only this time, it was happening in Montreal. Max never shed a tear, but as he spoke with Dr. Julien his eyes frequently filled up. His eyes were puffy from the effort not to cry; he was obviously very sad and in deep distress. Dr. Julien's role had suddenly become clear – he was there to give Max "permission" to cry. And those tears would do him so much good…

Paul's story
Paul, who was eight years old, was in a permanent state of rage. His anger was so severe that no one at school could tolerate him, and the only solution seemed to be to expel him to protect the other children – and the teachers. The school asked Dr. Julien to prescribe medication to control Paul's rage. Administrators were perturbed by Dr. Julien's decision to probe the deep-rooted reason for the child's problems. They expected Dr. Julien to provide immediate solutions to the problem, not spout grand theories or prescribe lengthy therapy. They didn't want to see the child again until he was on medication…

"Each child is different, special and endearing… Some are gentle, others shy or fearful, some distant or confrontational, some are sick in body or in mind. These are the children who often suffer in silence – or cry out to be heard, but no one is listening. All children have a little light burning bright in their eyes and their hearts. That spark means that there is something we can do to ease their suffering before it is too late."
Excerpt from A Different Kind of Care: The Social Pediatrics Approach