Illuminating bravery, coping and resilience during life’s toughest moments.

Illuminate Child Life was inspired by the powerful “lightbulb” moments children experience—those moments of clarity and courage when they realize they can cope with medical challenges, can understand their diagnosis, and can face difficult circumstances with strength and resilience.

Through play, preparation, and practice, my goal is to bring light to moments of uncertainty, empowering children to discover their strength, express their feelings, and face medical and life challenges with confidence and calm.

What is Child Life?
Child Life services are evidence-based practices designed to support the emotional and developmental needs of children facing illness, hospitalization, or life changes. Certified child life specialists use play, education, and emotional support to reduce fear, promote coping, and create a sense of safety for children and their families.

Read the AAP Statement on Child Life Services

Read Why Child Life from the Association of Child Life Professionals

The Illuminate Child Life logo, a colorful lightbulb shaped like a heart with pastel gradient colors and small accents around it.
  • A hand holding a container of Blood Soup, a clear plastic container filled with various colorful paint sponges and foam pieces submerged in soapy water.

    Diagnosis Education

    Helping children understand their health and diagnosis through developmentally appropriate education

    (Pictured: Blood Soup)

  • A child life specialist and young boy sitting on an exam table in a hospital room. The woman is wearing a striped dress and a face mask, the boy has a pacifier, glasses, and a stuffed animal. They are smiling and looking at the camera.

    Procedural Preparation and Support

    Individualized preparation and support to reduce fear and pain associated with blood draws, scans or other procedures

  • A woman and a young girl wearing pink shirts and masks are engaged in a science activity at a table, involving a red bowl, a funnel, and other supplies in a classroom setting.

    Therapeutic Play and Coping Interventions

    Play-based interventions and tools for emotional expression to build healthy coping skills

  • Two hands gently holding each other on a wooden surface.

    Grief, Bereavement and Loss

    Compassionate support and therapeutic interventions to help children and families navigate loss, grief and transition

Smiling certified child life specialist holding bubble guns, standing in front of a colorful ocean themed backdrop with fish and coral decorations. Child life specialist playing in a children's hospital.

Meet Adina

Hi, I’m Adina—child life specialist, mom, and passionate advocate for helping children feel seen, safe, and strong during medical experiences. With years of experience supporting kids and families through diagnoses, hospital stays, and big emotions, I founded Illuminate Child Life to offer personalized, play-based support that empowers children to cope with confidence.

Whether we’re preparing for a procedure, processing a new diagnosis, or navigating grief, my goal is always the same: to bring light, clarity, and calm to life’s hardest moments.

Learn More

Have questions about how Illuminate Child Life can support your family? We’re here for you. Reach out anytime — we'd love to hear from you.

Adina offers in-home sessions in the Baltimore area, with virtual services available to families beyond these areas.