You’ve Come to the Right Place
You don’t have to figure this out on your own
If your child has been diagnosed with a rheumatic disease, it can feel overwhelming. You’re likely full of questions — and that’s perfectly ok. You’re in the right place. This section is designed to give parents and caregivers clear next steps, practical guidance, and reassurance about what comes next.
With the right care, clear information, and support from other parents who understand, this becomes manageable.
Your First Steps
Newly Diagnosed
Start here. A clear starting point for families in the first days and weeks after diagnosis.
What to Expect in the First While
Understand the first few months — appointments, medications, school conversations, and new routines.
Practical Tips from Families
Real experiences, advice, and lessons from families navigating this journey.
Tools + Resources
Manage Pain + Symptoms
Learn simple ways to manage pain, fatigue, and flare-ups in daily life.
Explore Resources
Browse trusted resources, videos, and tools to help you learn at your own pace.
For Families at the Beginning
A new diagnosis of juvenile arthritis or another childhood rheumatic disease can shift a family’s rhythm overnight. There are appointments to attend, information to absorb, and practical decisions to make. It’s normal to feel uncertain at first — but with the right guidance and support, this becomes manageable.
Cassie + Friends exists to help families move from uncertainty to confidence. Here you’ll find trusted information, practical tools, and connection with other parents and caregivers who understand what this journey involves. Start with the steps below, explore at your own pace, and know that support is here when you need it.
Connect with Other Families
Join a private support network of parents navigating childhood rheumatic disease. Ask questions, share experiences, and learn from families who understand.
Find Out How to Plan Ahead
Learn what the first few months may look like — from appointments and treatments to adjusting routines at home and school.
Read Practical Tips from Families
Real-world advice from parents who have been there — from managing injections to navigating school and daily routines.
What to Expect
Work With Your Healthcare Team
Medications + Injection Support
Pain & Symptom Management
School & Community Support
Understanding Your Child’s Diagnosis
Clear information builds confidence for families, young people and caregivers.
Rheumatic diseases in children can sound complex and overwhelming at first. You may hear unfamiliar terms, different subtypes, and multiple treatment options discussed in clinic. Taking time to understand your child’s specific diagnosis — and the language that comes with it — helps you ask better questions and make informed decisions.
Our Learning + Resources section organizes trusted, evidence-informed content into clear categories so families can find what they need, when they need it. Whether you’re looking to understand a specific subtype of juvenile arthritis, explore treatment options, or learn about mental health and lifestyle supports, you’ll find structured guidance below.
“Cassie + Friends has been our primary—and only—support system. It’s reliable, created by a parent who went through this with their own child and worked tirelessly to gather and share knowledge about JIA… with everything thoughtfully compiled on the website has been a true blessing. We’ve never felt alone.”
— Rajat Ahuja
Support Us
Understanding
Rheumatic Diseases
Treatments
+ Medications
Pain
Management
Learn About
Mental Health
Mental Health
Lifestyle +
Wellness
Connect With Us
Video Support
Our virtual education session.
Learn more about the importance of finding a support system, tips families have learned along the way to help themselves and their family cope.
Newly Diagnosed JIA & Other Paediatric RMDs