Psychosocial assessment and intervention at initial diagnosis.

Advances in the long-term survival and possible cure of the child with cancer have challenged pediatric professionals to no longer view this child as terminally ill, but rather as a developing person with a future. The time of initial diagnosis presents the family with coping tasks which, once mastered, lay the ground work for future adjustment and, hopefully, the child's eventual return to good health. A multidimensional psychosocial assessment can be used to identify strengths and difficulties. A range of psychosocial interventions helps children and families with the coping tasks of this difficult but challenging experience.