Juvenile Arthritis Resources

Not Standing Stills Disease > Juvenile Arthritis Resources

Juvenile Arthritis Resources

I recently had the honor of working with the American College of Rheumatology as part of a team alongside pediatric rheumatologists. Our team developed a series of parent and family-focused handouts covering a range of topics, from practical tips for managing daily activities to emotional support strategies and more. We believe that these resources will be instrumental in providing guidance and fostering a supportive environment for families facing juvenile arthritis.

You can view the PDF handouts our team created here.

I’ve pulled this information as well as some additional education, links, and more into the following page.

Regular follow-up appointments with healthcare providers are essential for effectively managing juvenile arthritis. Figure out the best ways to communicate with your child's healthcare team to get the best possible outcomes. Who should be on your care team list? 

  • Primary care physician — The ideal PCP will act as your quarterback, providing additional referrals and helping you manage your child’s health.
  • Rheumatologist.
  • Pain management.
  • Physical and/or occupational therapists.
  • Ophthalmologist — especially important if your child deals with uveitis, is on certain treatments that may affect their vision, or is ANA-positive.
  • Dentist — Some children with arthritis will deal with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) or other dental issues. Make sure your dentist is aware of any diagnoses and medications.
  • Pharmacist — Working with a pharmacist can help catch potential prescription interactions, help with managing side effects, and suggest alternatives if something isn’t working.
  • Mental Health Provider — Juvenile arthritis can be really hard, leading to feelings of isolation, anxiety, and depression. Having a mental health provider can help your child process and handle these big feelings in a healthy way.

Finally, check with a rheumatologist before you engage in complementary or alternative medicine practices. There are conditions that can be worsened by some of these practices.

For example, people with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS) may benefit from seeing a chiropractor who is familiar with EDS. However, seeing a provider who isn't familiar can lead to severe injury and hospitalization. That's why the World Health Organization recommends against cervical or spinal adjustments for EDSers.

Prepare for medical appointments in advance. Keep notes about your child’s symptoms and wellbeing. As a family, come together the night before to see what questions or things should be discussed with the rheumatologist. It really does take a village!

Having regular appointments will give you and your child an opportunity to discuss any concerns you may have with the doctor. Additionally, be open and honest about your child's symptoms, and ask plenty of questions to ensure that you understand their condition and treatment plan. It's also helpful to bring a list of questions or concerns to each appointment.

What to share with or ask the rheumatologist

  • Where does it hurt? When does it hurt? How long has it hurt?
  • Are there activities your child used to do easily that are now difficult?
  • Has there been an injury to the joint from an accident, hobby, or sport?
  • Has anyone in your family had similar problems?
  • What important events in your child’s life may affect their arthritis or the way they take care of themself?
  • Is your child experiencing any unusual symptoms or side effects? If so, what and when did these start?
  • What should we do if we experience side effects?
  • What type of symptoms or issues mean we should call in for help?
  • Are there limitations on which vaccines my child can receive?

If your child struggles with mobility, consider asking for an accessible parking placard. This can help you engage in activities that you might otherwise have to avoid by helping preserve energy or limit pain. Likewise, consider snagging wagons or electric scooters when you go out to places such as the zoo. This helps your child save their energy for fun things.

Tracking symptoms

Consider tracking your child’s symptoms regularly to share with providers when you see them. This could be on paper in a binder, using an app on a tablet, or using a spreadsheet on a computer. Some things you may want to consider tracking include:

  • A body outline where they can color in or circle the painful areas (This can also be used to track psoriasis or rash!).
  • Pain levels and locations.
  • Words to describe the pain — you may need to offer some possible word choices, which might include:
    • cutting
    • beating
    • burning
    • scraping
    • prickly
    • pinching
    • stinging
    • hot
    • sharp
    • pounding
    • squeezing
    • pulling
    • aching
    • cold
    • pins & needles
    • spreading
    • deep
    • stabbing
    • tugging
    • stretching
    • tiring
    • biting
    • itching
    • pressing
    • tight
    • tingling
    • throbbing
    • uncomfortable
    • itching
    • warm
    • sore

You may find the following resources I've created helpful, too!

Living with arthritis isn't always awful - but it's not always easy. You may be tempted to protect your child from everything but, if you do that, they're not really living their own life. On the flip side, you do need to protect them from some things. So, protect your child but don't coddle them.

And don't let them hear you complaining about their condition or how hard it is on you. This could set them up for a lifetime of self-esteem issues.

Learning and monitoring symptoms

Learn as much as possible. In order to advocate for your child the best, sometimes you have to be as knowledgeable as healthcare providers (or even more). Rely on websites based in reality, evaluating anything you read for possible bias or misinformation. Consider picking up books around rheumatology to learn as much as you can. 

Keep an eye out for new and/or worsening symptoms. These could signal either an increase in disease activity or the onset of a related condition. 

Emotions

Living with juvenile arthritis can be painful and frustrating for children. Encourage your child to express their feelings and emotions, and support them in finding ways to cope. This can include distraction techniques like reading or watching movies, or participating in activities that they enjoy. 

Allow your kid to express their frustrations without trying to cheer them up or make them look on the bright side. Cheering them up may tell them that they're not allowed to feel their feelings or make them feel dismissed.

Kids also tend to believe that everyone has the same pain they do, but that they are failing to cope well with it. So be prepared for a variety of feelings related to that - and look into mental healthcare for your child.

To that end, consider looking into any support you may need. Parenting is hard, too, especially with JIA involved. The uncertainty alone can be hard. If you can access mental health care, it’s never a bad thing. 

Physical activity

It's important to encourage movement as it can help improve joint mobility, muscle strength, and overall function. Exercise can also help reduce inflammation and fatigue, two common symptoms of arthritis, and promote mental health by reducing stress and anxiety. 

  • Talk about movement as movement, not necessarily as exercise. Doing so can help your child understand that moving in any capacity is good for them, even if it’s stretching instead of more intense physical activity.
  • Focus on low-impact exercises that are gentle on the joints. These include swimming, cycling, yoga, and walking. Make sure to consult with your child's doctor or physical therapist to ensure that the activities are safe and appropriate for them.
  • Adaptive sports and activities can provide opportunities for children to participate in physical activity, such as basketball or yoga, with any necessary modifications. These programs can improve your child's physical health and provide a valuable social outlet. Make sure to discuss any sports participation with the rheumatologist.

Coping with pain

Helping your child cope with pain can feel like a tall order. Some things that can help include:

  • Relaxation — It’s important to lower stress where possible, as stress can increase pain levels. Engaging in slow and meaningful breathing, guided meditation, warm baths, and more are all things that may help.
  • Hot & cold — Not every person tolerates both of these, so work with your child to learn which techniques feel the most comfortable at which times for which sensations. When using anything that is hot or cold, put a barrier between the hot pack and your child’s skin. This will protect them from burns or damage. Alternating hot and cold can help ease pain more.
  • Pacing, rest, and energy management — Help your child learn how to monitor and share about their energy and pain levels. Check in with them regularly during activities, especially if their energy levels have been fluctuating or low. Plan ahead, and talk through how to do tasks when dealing with lower energy or higher pain levels.
  • Dealing with stiffness — Not all stiffness can be prevented, but encouraging your child to switch positions regularly may help alleviate some stiffness later on.

Set up your kid for success by having a sleep routine. This can include limiting screen use, doing gentle physical therapy exercises, meditation, medication, and story time.

Likewise, try to get moving in the mornings. Your child may have increased stiffness, pain, and fatigue in the morning. Be patient with them and consider asking about pain levels to be aware of how they’re feeling. Range-of-motion or physical therapy exercises may help ease stiffness, as can a warm shower or heating pads.

Setting digital alarms can help everyone know when medication needs to be taken or when at-home therapy exercises should be done. You can also keep a chart or a calendar out in the open to help your child keep track of what they need to do on a daily and weekly basis.

Plan ahead

Plan for flare-ups that are predictable when possible. For some people with arthritis, the time of year, weather, barometric pressure, humidity, and more may increase symptoms and discomfort.

Some helpful items to have on hand might include:

  • electrolyte drinks
  • easy-to-open snacks
  • protein,
  • extra pain management-related items

Traveling

Traveling can be really fun! To keep it as fun as possible, consider the following:

  • If you’re driving somewhere, plan rest stops frequently to allow your child to move and limit stiffness.
  • If flying, learn what requirements may exist around traveling with medications. If you’re flying with a biologic, for example, you will need to have a still-frozen ice pack with you when you arrive to the TSA security line. If you’re traveling to other countries, there may be additional requirements.
  • If you’re visiting your favorite theme park, it’s tempting to want to try to do everything in one day. With pain, stiffness, fatigue, and other factors, your child may not be able to do that, though. Plan rest breaks and downtime — and don’t forget to check in with your child throughout the day.
  • Be open to changing up plans based on pain or energy levels. Bring snacks that your child can and will eat.
  • Bring medical supplies with you and have them readily available on-hand.

If your child needs to be hospitalized, it’s important to create a welcoming and calming environment if possible. Here are some things that can help:

  • Ask your nurses and providers if they can use your child’s nickname (if applicable).
  • Bring some of your kid’s favorite things with you (if possible). This might include a stuffed animal, PJs, their favorite blanket, a tablet to watch their favorite streaming shows and comfortable headphones, and activities like coloring books.
  • Make sure you bring food for yourself and any family members you’re bringing with you. Your child will generally eat hospital food, but you have to make sure that you’re getting your energy needs met.

an accessible ramp next to stairs in a backyard

Think about accessibility changes you can make in your home to help your child spend less energy on tasks or be more independent. On a basic level, this might include:

  • a grabber to pick up toys or clothes from the floor
  • grab bars to get in and out of the tub
  • a shower seat to rest while showering
  • a loofah on a handle
  • adding motion sensor lighting into their closet and dresser

Some other assistive devices, mobility aids, and accessibility changes to consider might include:

  • braces or splints to support affected joints
  • adaptive utensils to make eating easier
  • mobility aids like crutches or walkers
  • electric toothbrushes
  • tools to help squeeze toothpaste
  • water flossers
  • doorknob turners (if your doorknobs aren’t lever-style)
  • book and document stands
  • modified or ergonomic computer equipment
  • clothes that are easy to put on and take off
  • adding rings or other dangles to zippers for easier use
  • flexible straws
  • voice-activated computer or assistant equipment (Dragon, Siri, Google Assistant, Alexa, etc.)

If you rent and your landlord isn’t keen on certain changes to your living space, the Fair Housing Act covers you. Your local Independent Living Center can help you navigate any issues you run into here. 

If your child is facing the challenges of juvenile arthritis, know that you're not alone. There are two powerful tools that can make a big difference in their education: 504 plans and IEPs. 

A 504 plan functions like a tailored guide, ensuring your child receives the right support in their educational journey. It might include accommodations like extra time for tasks or specialized seating to enhance their comfort. 

An IEP is Individualized Education Program, a tailored roadmap designed to cater to your child's unique learning requirements. Whether it's specialized teaching methods or therapy services, an IEP can open doors to their academic success. 

In order to get a 504 plan or an IEP, you’ll need to work with your child’s school. Consider asking your child’s teacher what the process is like at their school, but most schools have a coordinator for these programs. You’ll need to request either or both of these plans in writing, and there are many sample The Arthritis Foundation has a PDF with information you may want to share with teachers. Some things that may be helpful for your child may include: 

  • Flexibility around being on time for school and moving between classes.
  • Additional time to complete tasks, especially those requiring handwriting or physical movement.
  • Help with taking notes in class.
  • Access to a laptop so they can type answers for in-class work, homework, or tests.
  • An extra set of physical textbooks to keep at home or electronic copies of textbooks to access anywhere. This helps to limit how much your child needs to carry in a backpack.
  • Ability for your child to fidget, change positions regularly, or get up and move throughout class without punishment.
  • Ability to sit out physical activities as needed, making room for them to judge what activities are no-go based on how they’re feeling.
  • Having all classes on the ground floor, if the school has multiple floors.
  • Understanding around fatigue and brain fog.
  • If your child is on immunosuppressing medications, you may want to ensure that their ability to wear a mask is honored in the school setting, if they choose to wear one.
  • Make sure that substitute teachers will have notes about all of the above as well.
  • Work with the nurse at the school to ensure that they understand your child’s needed, from hot and cold packs to any medications that may be needed at school. Make sure there are backup plans if there is only one nurse or if float nurses are employed.
  • Consider providing information to your child’s teachers about your child’s arthritis, either at the beginning of the year or during a parent-teacher conference (if the teachers aren’t involved with 504 / IEP meetings).

Ask about what an evacuation or emergency plan looks like, especially if your child uses an assistive device.

Continue to communicate. For 504 and IEP plans, you’ll have regular check-ins to see how things are going. Keep notes. Ask for more meetings if you need them. If you’re struggling to get the accommodations your child needs, reach out to your local Independent Living Center (ILC) or Parent Training & Information Center. These centers can help you to advocate and may even be able to loan you or help you get access to funding for technology that will help your child. 

Include your child in decision making, from 504 plans to healthcare. As they get older and learn more about their condition, they can take over more and more in meetings and appointments. Working in this way can help prepare your child to take over their own healthcare as they transition to adulthood. 

Resources

As your child becomes an adult, they may need to transition to adult care. Work with your child's healthcare team to create a plan for this transition and ensure that they are receiving the necessary care and support.

As your child grows, it's important to encourage their independence and self-advocacy skills. Teach them about their condition, self-care, and how to advocate for their needs. Encourage them to take an active role in their healthcare and to communicate effectively with their healthcare team.

As your child takes on more of their health-related tasks, ensure that you give positive reinforcement and feedback. This can look like tokens, tickets, stars, etc., that can add up and be used for activities, privileges, or a weekly allowance.

It is really common for any child with a chronic illness to desire breaks in treatment as they transition to adulthood. It’s important to talk with your child as they age about the risks of doing so.

Make sure to check out the JA Transition Toolkit from the Arthritis Foundation.

Additional Resources

a group of kids playing

Living with arthritis can make you feel like you're on a unique journey filled with twists and turns. It can feel isolating. Thankfully, there are plenty of ways you can connect with others who have been on a similar journey. And, because of their lived experience, you may just learn tips and tricks to help your child cope as well as possible.

  • AiArthritis — an international non-profit focused on autoimmune and autoinflammatory forms of arthritis. 
  • Autoimmune Association — an international non-profit focused on autoimmune diseases. 
  • CreakyJoints — an international group focused on arthritis advocacy and living well despite disease. 
  • Live Yes! Connect Groups — 18+ connections through the Arthritis Foundation.
  • Purple Playas Foundation — helping kids with chronic illnesses and founded by an SJIA family.
  • Systemic JIA Foundation — an international non-profit focused on systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (SJIA) and started by SJIA parents. 
  • SJIA & MAS Contact Registry  — a registry for those with SJIA and Macrophage Activation Syndrome (MAS). 
  • Zoe's Angels — Australian-based non-profit focused on SJIA.

You can also connect with other parents.

There are also specific spaces for you and your child to connect with others in fun settings, like camps!

  • JA Camps — a series of camps run by the Arthritis Foundation. 
  • Comfortability — a group that helps kids, teens and parents or caregivers learn how to better manage chronic pain problems. 
  • SeriousFun Children’s Network — a camp system founded by Paul Newman allowing chronically ill kids to access camp experiences safely. 

Finally, some helpful groups for your child as they age may include:

As a caregiver, it's important to recognize and manage your own emotions related to your child's condition. It's normal to experience feelings of sadness, guilt, and frustration. Consider joining a support group or seeking counseling to work through these emotions. 

It's also easy to become so focused on your child's needs that you neglect your own. However, taking care of your own physical and emotional health is crucial to being an effective and healthy caregiver. 

Caregiver burnout is a real concern, and it's important to recognize the signs and take steps to prevent it. This can include taking breaks when possible, seeking support from friends and family, and considering professional help if needed. 

Physical exercise, a healthy diet, and getting enough sleep are important aspects of taking care of your own physical health. Additionally, consider seeking counseling or participating in support groups to address any emotional concerns. Taking care of yourself will not only benefit you, but also your child.In conclusion, juvenile arthritis requires a lot of care and attention, but with the right strategies and support, a caregiver can help a child live a fulfilling life. Remember to take care of yourself, seek guidance from healthcare professionals, and adapt to the child's changing needs. With patience, empathy, and perseverance, you can make a significant difference in the life of a child who has juvenile arthritis. 

If you work outside of the home, be aware of the laws and resources available to you through your workplace. The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) will be vital to being able to have flexibility to care for your child. Employee resource groups (ERGs) may be available to you, too, allowing you to connect with other parents of chronically ill children. Some workplaces also offer additional help with seeking therapists, a small number of free therapy sessions, or connecting folks with legal and medical help. 

Know your limits, physically, emotionally, and psychologically. Make sure that you’re open about these with your partner. Being vulnerable with each other about these kinds of topics can help to foster better emotional intimacy – and may even help with seeking additional outside help. 

If you are partnered, ensure that you take time to spend one-on-one with your partner. The stress of managing a child’s illness can be a lot and it’s important to not only check in but have space to exist as a couple without some of that responsibility - even if it’s just for an occasional date night. You should also reach out to other families in the area to see if they have babysitters they might recommend so that you can take that time away without worrying as much. 

Schedule 'me' time and time alone with your partner on a daily basis when possible. 

Make sure you and your partner are on the same page with regard to your child’s treatment, who is doing what, etc. Work to keep each other informed, whether that’s through verbal conversations or keeping a shared document (e.g., Google Drive folder w/ updates). 

If you have other children, make sure that you can set aside time with them. Having a sibling with JIA can be hard as it often seems they will get all the attention. Plan dates and interactions with your other kids to help them still know how loved they are.

Keep an eye on any younger siblings for signs of arthritis, too. According to some estimates, "the risk of siblings developing JIA could be up to 12 times higher than in the general population and up to six times higher for first cousins” (Miller, K. P. 2013. Living with Juvenile Arthritis: A Parent’s Guide.). Siblings who do develop JIA also generally have the same subtype and experience disease onset around the same age (Miller, 2013).

If your currently healthy child winds up being diagnosed with JIA as well, remember that no two disease courses are the same. One child may have a more mild case.

Just because your child is a child or young doesn’t mean they don’t deserve to know what’s going on in an age-appropriate way. Not sharing information with your healthy child(ren) may be more traumatic than sharing as kids have wild imaginations. Help keep them in the loop and offer to answer questions or address concerns they may have.

If the healthy child has a meltdown, know that emotions like anger, jealousy, and worry are likely playing a role. Instead of jumping in to punish or admonish your child, consider having a conversation with them about their feelings. If they’re younger, it’s harder to have the language to share what they want to share.

Call in reinforcements. Your friends and family may be able to help your healthy child cope well by taking them on playdates, handling to and from school transportation, and more.

an adult happily talking on the phone while taking notes

Arthritis can sometimes bring extra costs, from medical bills to adaptive equipment. But don't worry – there are organizations and programs that can help you manage these expenses. By learning about financial resources, you can focus on what's most important: helping your child feeling their best. 

Medication and healthcare

If your child is on a name-brand medication, visit the manufacturers website to see if they offer any patient assistance programs or co-pay coupons to help lower costs. 

Some pharmacies fill medications at different prices. Explore what pharmacy options you have available to you. 

You could also see if there is a generic medication as an alternative.  Other co-pay coupons like GoodRx can help, too. 

  • The Arthritis Foundation has a variety of resources to help you understand healthcare coverage, including specific information on financial tools and Medicare and Medicaid coverage. (This page might help, too!)
  • Creaky Joints has a collection of Co-Pay Assistance Programs, Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs, and Patient Assistance Foundations listed on their website. This includes general assistance from pharmaceutical companies as well as assistance with specific biologic medications.  
  • Good Days is a national, independent 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization that provides financial assistance to patients so that they do not have to choose between access to medicine they need and affording everyday living.  
  • Hill-Burton Free and Reduced Cost Health Care provides services to people who are unable to pay for hospitals, nursing homes and other health facilities. 
  • Need Help Paying Bills provides information on assistance programs, charity organizations, and other resources that can help with paying bills, mortgage and debt expenses. 
  • NeedyMeds is dedicated to helping people who cannot afford medicine or health care costs. 
  • Patient Access Network (PAN) Foundation is a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to providing help to people with chronic or life-threatening illnesses for whom cost limits access to medical treatments. 
  • Patient Advocate Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization which provides professional case management services to people with chronic, life-threatening, and debilitating illnesses. They also provide academic assistance, educational webinars, co-pay assistance, and more. 
  • RxAssist offers a database of patient assistance programs, as well as practical tools, news, and articles so that health care professionals and patients can find the information they need. 
  • Rx Outreach is a nonprofit mail order pharmacy that expands access to medications that treat chronic conditions. 
  • The HealthWell Foundation provides financial assistance to reduce barriers to care for underinsured patients with chronic or life-threatening diseases. 

Rare Disease

  • NORD’s MedicAlert® Assistance Program provides eligible individuals with a MedicAlert product and three years of membership. For more information and to apply, please contact: medicalert@rarediseases.org or 203.616.4325.
  • The Rare Disease Educational Support Program provides reimbursement for registration costs for rare disease-specific educational offerings, as well as programs that support patients’ health and well-being, such as workshops, nutrition classes, and conferences. In addition to assisting with registration fees, the Rare Disease Educational Support Program provides limited financial assistance to patients and caregivers for travel and lodging costs. For more information and to apply, please contact: rdeducate@rarediseases.org or 860.556.2208. 

Travel

  • Air Charity Network provides access to member organizations that offer free air transportation to specialized health care facilities or distant destinations needed during family, community, or national crisis.  Call 877-621-7177 to be automatically routed to a member organization in your region. 
  • Angel Flight East provides free air transportation to qualified patients and their families by arranging flights to distant medical facilities, delivering supplies to disaster areas, and reuniting families during desperate times. Call 215-358-1900 to learn more. 
  • Children’s Flight of Hope provides free air transportation to and from medical facilities in the eastern United States for seriously ill and injured children. To request a flight, submit an online flight request or call 919-466-8593 for assistance. 
  • Corporate Angel Network arranges free travel on corporate jets for cancer patients, bone marrow donors, and bone marrow recipients. Call 914-328-1313 within three weeks of your appointment at a cancer treatment center. 
  • Double “H” Ranch provides specialized programs and year-round support for children and their families dealing with life-threatening illnesses. 
  • Edmond J. Safra Family Lodge at NIH offers a home-like place of respite for families and loved ones of adult patients who are receiving care at the NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda, MD. Guests must be referred by the NIH Institute or Center in charge of the patient’s research study. Call 301-496-6500 for information about referrals and use of the facility. 
  • Healthcare Hospitality Network is a nationwide professional association of nearly 200 nonprofit organizations that provide lodging and support services to patients, families, and their loved ones who are receiving medical treatment far from home. To find lodging in a specific area, use their online search form or call 800-542-9730. 
  • Hospitality Homes provides temporary housing in volunteer host homes and other donated accommodations for families and friends of patients seeking care at Boston-area medical centers. 
  • LifeLine Pilots facilitates free air transportation provided by volunteer pilots for passengers with medical and humanitarian needs. View the Request a Flight page on their website or call 800-822-7972 for assistance. 
  • Mercy Medical Angels provide both air and ground transportation support for patients in need of specialized medical care outside their local region. 
  • Miracle Flights for Kids helps children who are struggling with severe illness fly to specialized medical treatment centers anywhere across the U.S. 
  • Ronald McDonald House Charities provides families with housing and home-cooked meals, at little or no cost, close to their hospitalized child. To request a stay, contact the social services department at the hospital where your child will receive treatment. 
  • Patient AirLift Services arranges free air transportation based on need to individuals requiring medical care and for other humanitarian purposes. 
  • The Children’s Inn at NIH is a nonprofit residence dedicated to serving the families of children involved in pediatric research at the NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda, MD. First time reservations must be made by your medical team. Call 800-644-4660 for information. 
  • TSA Cares is a helpline to assist travelers with disabilities and medical conditions. TSA recommends that passengers call 72 hours ahead of travel for information about what to expect during screening. 
  • The Wings of Hope Medical Relief & Air Transport (MAT) Program provides medical air transport services, free of charge, to individuals who need specialized medical care that is not available to them locally. Using aircraft specially outfitted with stretchers to accommodate fragile and non-ambulatory patients, they fly individuals to hospitals and treatment centers in 26 states within a 600 mile radius of their St. Louis, MO headquarters. To ask about arranging transportation, call 636-537-1302 or email mat@wingsofhope.ngo. 

Random things

Grounding exercises

These are exercises that can help if you're struggling with anxiety, trauma, or sometimes pain.

Apps

Clothing

Adaptive clothing
Port-accessible clothing
SPF clothing

  • Alex the Kid: Talks About Juvenile Arthritis by Alexander Draper 
  • Archie Airplane Has Arthritis: Coping with Juvenile Arthritis by Andrew Roe 
  • Arthritis in Motion by Hailey Daniels Krey 
  • I Have Juvenile Arthritis Too by Brooke Taylor 
  • Just for You: Emersyn's Story: A Book about Juvenile Arthritis by Laurie Vineberg Buch 
  • Keeping a Secret: A Story about Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis by Elizabeth Murphy-Melas 
  • Living with Juvenile Arthritis: A Parent's Guide by Kim Miller - for parents / families 
  • Superhero Adventure Inside the Human Body! Medikidz Explain Systemic Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis by Dr. Kim Chilman-Blair & Shawn deLoache 
  • Primer on the Rheumatic Diseases, edited by John Klippel, John Stone, Leslie Crawford, and Patience White - for parents / families 
  • Sick Kids in Love by Hannah Moskowitz - fiction, YA romance
  • Stay Limitless: A Story About Juvenile Arthritis by Emma Yao Baker 
  • Taking Arthritis to School by DeeDee L. Miller 
  • The Wednesday and Woof series by Sherri Winston - Wednesday has JIA but the books are about her being Sherlock-like while incorporating information about JIA.

You can find more books I recommend on Bookshop and Goodreads.