VIP New Faces: Amanda Perlstein

Perlstein, 36, is a certified child life specialist at The Children’s Hospital. She works with children and their families to reduce the level of stress and trauma for children undergoing medical procedures or facing serious illnesses. Perlstein, a Denver native, is married to Ari Perlstein. They have one daughter, Maya. Perlstein also volunteers for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Describe your work. In the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit), I educate parents, siblings and caregivers about the baby’s illness, whether sudden or ongoing. On a good day, I do a lot of book writing with children so they can put words to the experience. I provide opportunities for play and normalization, prepare children for procedures through play, and teach coping skills. It’s rewarding work, although some days […]