Young children

When your child is diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), it can feel like your world shifts. You’re not just managing appointments, treatments, and routines, you’re supporting their emotions, advocating at school, and trying to keep family life on track. Parenting a child with arthritis is a journey, but you don’t have to walk it alone.

With support from your health team and whānau, you can help your child understand their condition, build resilience, and grow into confident self-managers of their health. 

Provide choices: give your child a sense of control by involving them in decisions, especially about their treatment and routines. Encourage them to manage things like taking medication or tracking symptoms themselves, with your guidance.

Keep talking and listening: be open and honest. Let your child ask questions, express their feelings, and work through challenges. Reassure them that arthritis isn’t anyone’s fault and can’t be passed on to others.

Stay active together. exercise supports strong joints, muscles, and moods. Find fun activities your child enjoys, like swimming or cycling. Balance movement with adequate rest, especially during flare-ups.

Stick to routines: a predictable daily routine can be grounding and reassuring. Keep life as normal as possible, while being flexible during flares. Help your child find alternatives for activities they’re finding tough.

Focus on the positives: a ‘can-do’ mindset makes a big difference. Learn what you can about your child’s condition, celebrate small wins, and build in time for joy and friendships, for them and for you.

Managing JIA means staying one step ahead. Here are a few practical ways to keep things running smoothly:

• Keep copies of letters, reports, and appointment notes
• Maintain an up-to-date record of medicines and doses
• Have a flare-up toolkit ready, NSAIDs, heat packs, distraction tools, and calming techniques
• Help your child dress in loose or accessible clothing for school

School can bring extra challenges when your child lives with arthritis. Fatigue, pain, or mobility difficulties can affect concentration, PE, and social time. You can help create a positive experience by keeping the school informed.

Tips for working with schools:

• Arrange a meeting with key staff (teacher, school nurse) early on
• Share trusted resources about JIA
• Help them understand your child’s needs and how symptoms may vary
• Encourage your child to help write a letter to their teacher
• Explain signs of pain or fatigue to look out for
• Suggest small adjustments like seating changes, extra time, or rest breaks

You are your child’s strongest advocate, and we’re here to support you. If issues arise, your paediatric rheumatology team or Arthritis NZ can help liaise with the school.

You are a vital member of your child’s care team. Your insight into how they’re coping at home, school, and in day-to-day life complements the clinical picture your doctor sees. If you have questions or worries, speak up—there’s no such thing as a silly question.

Your child’s team may include:

• Paediatrician or rheumatologist (specialist doctors)
• NZ Paediatric Rheumatology Service (Starship or Hutt teams)
• GP
• Nurses
• Physiotherapist
• Occupational therapist
• Ophthalmologist (eye specialist)
• Pharmacist
• Dietitian
• Counsellor or psychologist
• Orthotics team
• Arthritis NZ's Arthritis Assist service
• School teachers
• Social workers

The NZ Paediatric Rheumatology Service provides outreach clinics around the country. They’ll work with your GP to make sure your child receives the right treatment and follow-up.

• Talk with your child beforehand about what they’d like to ask or share
• Write down your own questions
• Bring someone for support if you can
• Ask for explanations if anything is unclear
• Take notes during or after the appointment

Some questions you might want to ask:

• Why is this medicine needed, and how does it work?
• What are the possible side effects?
• How long will it take to see benefits?
• How long will they need to stay on it?
• What tests are needed while they’re taking it?

Every second year, Arthritis NZ runs a special Families Camp for children with rheumatological conditions and their whānau. It’s a weekend of fun, learning and support. It consists of activities like archery, kayaking, abseiling, swimming, sliding, climbing and more.

Young adults (usually former camp attendees themselves) attend to answer questions from parents about what it's like to grow up with arthritis, and to mentor children with arthritis.

The paediatric rheumatology team hold sessions for parents to learn more about parenting a child with arthritis and what to expect in the years to come, and most importantly friendships are formed with people who truly understand.

Families Camp is open to children diagnosed with arthritis and referred by a paediatric rheumatologist. Siblings and caregivers are welcome, too; it’s a full whānau experience.