How to Structure Conversations with Families

It is important that all families learn about lead poisoning and the risk to young children. However, focusing your attention on families whose children have identified or suspected lead poisoning is a great way to start.  To make your conversations with families as effective as possible, use the 3 suggestions listed below:  

#1 Focus on school success

Many families are unaware of childhood lead poisoning and its damaging effects to a child’s brain development. Often, children exposed to lead do not look or act sick. For this reason, some families may see this issue as something that doesn’t affect them or that isn’t a problem. Some families may also view lead poisoning as something that was a problem for past generations but not something they should worry about today.  

To overcome cases of family resistance, frame conversations with families around a child’s future school success. Let families know that their child may not develop health and learning problems right away, but that their brain development can still be affected. Many children will not show signs of lead poisoning until they reach school age, and by then these problems are irreversible and may lead to problems later in adulthood. 

To counteract problems associated with lead poisoning, emphasize that early detection and intervention can help children’s outcomes. Advise families to ask their child’s doctor for a blood lead test and get their child periodic developmental screenings. If children are in need of early education or developmental services, make a referral and have families enroll their child in needed programs.  

#2 Determine the source and get rid of it: 

Determining a child’s exposure source can be challenging, so start by asking families if their home contains any of the common sources of lead listed in this course using the Possible Lead Sources Fact Sheet. For cases of lead poisoning where a source is unknown or cannot be identified, have families contact their child’s doctor or HI-CLPPP for assistance. 

Once potential sources have been identified, advise families to get rid of the source by throwing it away, storing it out of their child’s reach, or hiring a lead-certified contractor to remove paint and soil. 

#3 Make blood lead testing a priority

Most families rely on their child’s doctor to inform them about routine blood lead testing. However, relying on doctors to order a blood lead test is not guaranteed to make sure children are tested appropriately. You can help families be advocates for their children by advising families to have their children tested for lead at 1 and 2 years of age. If their child was never previously tested, they should ask their child’s doctor for 1 catch-up test between ages 3 to 6. 

Families also need to take the additional step of bringing their child to a lab for testing, which can be a challenge for busy families. You can better prepare families for their child’s blood lead testing appointment by giving families the following information ahead of time: 

  • Depending on the facility, they will either take their child to the lab connected to their doctor’s office or to an outside lab for the blood lead test. 
  • Initial blood lead testing will most likely be a capillary (fingerstick) test. It is quick and easy. Make sure their child’s hands are washed thoroughly with soap and water before the test. 
  • If their child’s blood lead level comes back elevated they will need to go back in for venous (vein draw) testing to confirm the results. Testing will need to be done every few weeks or months depending on their child’s blood lead level. Testing should be continued until the child is lead-free.