JIA consumer care guide
Find out what good care looks like, what to expect from your child’s healthcare team and how to speak up.
Quick links
A parent (or carer) with a child aged roughly 4–12. The child does not need to look visibly unwell — the tone is positive and active, not clinical. Could be a quiet moment of connection — reading together, talking, or a gentle physical activity.
This guide empowers young people with JIA and their families to advocate for their care, making informed decisions throughout their journey.
A diagnosis of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) can be overwhelming for families. This guide was co-designed with JIA families to help parents and carers understand what to expect; from the moment of diagnosis through to the transition to adult care. It covers the basics of JIA, what care should look like at every stage, practical tips for every age, and how to advocate for your child.
What's inside
The basics
New to JIA? Start here. This section explains what JIA is, why your child has it, the five main types of JIA, and a plain-language A–Z of the terms you’ll encounter throughout your journey.
What to expect
A stage-by-stage breakdown of JIA care — from early diagnosis through to remission and transition to adult care. Based on the Australian JIA Standards of Care, this section helps you understand what good care looks like and how to advocate for it.
Tips for every age
Practical, parent-tested tips for navigating JIA at every life stage — early childhood (0–4), childhood (5–12), adolescence (13–18) and adulthood (18+). Covers everything from notifying schools and managing flare-ups to transitioning to adult care.
What you can do
Next steps for families — including how to advocate for your child’s care, a national directory of JIA support communities, and a curated list of extra resources from organisations across Australia.
Download the guide
The JIA Consumer Care Guide is free to download
Printed copies are available through your state or territory Arthritis office.
Endorsed by the Australian Rheumatology Association, Australian Podiatry Association, Juvenile Arthritis Foundation Australia and the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia.
Based on JIA Consumer Care Guide
Updated 14 May 2026 by Cathryn Berry
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JIA Consumer Care Guide
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