Amazing article

[Guest guest]

On my search for finding a good article about students with chronic illnesses

and how teachers can make that a better situation (rather than a worse one) I

found this website with this article. I attached the link to the website along

with the actual article at the bottom. It is pretty phenomenal and I feel is a

pretty good depiction of what a child with a chronic illness goes through. I

definitely will be bringing this with me to school tomorrow!

Love always,

(MCTD, 23)

http://www.ibsgroup.org/chronickids/faq.htm

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a chronic illness?A chronic

illness is a sickness that a person has for a very long

time. Some chronic illnesses last for a few months or a

few years (some kinds of cancer last for a few months or

years). Other chronic illnesses last for a person’s

whole lifetime (like juvenile diabetes mellitus or

sickle cell anemia).

Further examples of chronic illnesses are asthma,

juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, primary immunodeficiency,

epilepsy, cystic fibrosis, inflammatory bowel disease,

and irritable bowel syndrome.

When a kid has a chronic illness, it may mean that

she has to be absent from school because she is going to

a doctor’s appointment, she is getting treatment or she

is in the hospital.

It can be very hard to keep up with school work when

you have to be out of school a lot. Kids who have to

miss school because of a chronic illness miss getting to

be at school and they miss their friends.

What are some of the most common pediatric

chronic illnesses?

There are many chronic illnesses of childhood. Some

of the most commonly seen chronic illnesses of childhood

include asthma, a variety of types of cancer (brain

tumors, leukemias and lymphomas and solid tumors),

cystic fibrosis, diabetes, epilepsy, juvenile rheumatoid

arthritis (JRA), lupus and sickle cell anemia. The way

that these diagnoses impact individual children may vary

greatly. For example, one student may not evidence

significant breathing problems with a diagnosis of

asthma, where another may have very serious difficulties

that require close monitoring and interventions.

Similarly, some children with sickle cell anemia may

rarely have a sickle cell crises, while others may have

frequent crises with serious complications or stroke.

Therefore, it is extremely important to find out how

each individual student is impacted by his/her

diagnosis.

Why should a child with a chronic illness go

to school?

In our society, we are used to taking care of people who

are sick by suggesting they go to bed, get plenty of

rest, and take care of themselves until their health

returns to normal. For children with chronic illnesses,

that may not be possible. Their illness, or diagnosis,

may last several years or for their entire life.

For a child with diabetes, cystic fibrosis, many

types of cancer, asthma or other chronic diagnoses, the

best plan is to help them learn to live with their

illness. Future success and adjustment may be determined

by how successful the young person is in making their

diagnosis just another aspect or characteristic of who

they are.

Kids with chronic illness must work hard to figure

out how to continue with normal activities of daily

life. Time in the hospital, doctors visits, not feeling

well and many other events can interrupt school

attendance.

We do know that being back in school is often very

good for a child with a chronic illness. School may be

the place where a chronically ill child can feel success

and achievement, and can focus on the things they can

still do, instead of the things that may be limited by a

chronic illness.

How do I, as a parent, help my child return

to school?

Returning to school, after the diagnosis of a chronic

illness or a hospitalization due to an already diagnosed

illness, is stressful for both you, the parent, and your

child. The doctors have probably told you to be careful

and take precautions to help ensure your child’s health.

You may wonder if all of that can be done at school, and

if your child will be safe there. Fears of teasing or

rejection as a result of the diagnosis are also frequent

concerns of parents and students with chronic illnesses.

You are not alone! What you are feeling is very normal.

The key is good communication between all persons. Here

are some suggestions:

• Talk to the hospital educator, your child’s doctor,

nurse, psychologist or social worker about school

reentry concerns.

• Talk to your child’s teacher(s), counselor, school

nurse, social worker and administrator about your

child’s diagnosis and special needs at school.

• Talk to your child’s classmates about the diagnosis

and give them clear, accurate information. The hospital

educator, school nurse, or counselor may be able to help

you with education of the peers.

• Talk to your child and his concerns and ways you can

help him deal with those issues. Reassure your child

that his concerns are very normal, but there are ways to

help him return to school and continue to enjoy the

experience.

A child will be better off by returning

to school. Staying home or having homebound education

for an extended time, if not absolutely necessary, may

lead to other areas of concern.

What is my role as an educator?

Your role as an educator of a child with a chronic

illness is to provide a sound, comprehensive educational

opportunity for that child in the least restrictive

environment. The student’s physical needs should be

planned for and modifications or accommodations should

be provided. However, once that is accomplished, you

should be free to be the child’s teacher, rather than

feeling that you must also be the child’s nurse. You

will need the support of the school nurse and

administrators to ensure that you are free to go about

the business of being a teacher. With parent and student

consent, educating the rest of your class about their

friend’s health condition may enable everyone to go

about their daily business of learning as usual. Many

educators report that working with a child with special

health needs is challenging and rewarding.

What is my role as the school nurse?

The role of the school nurse is integral in assuring

the successful school reentry and reintegration of a

student with a chronic illness. You will be the “glue”

and the liaison between the family, hospital and school.

The nurse may be asked to help educate staff, students

and others about the child’s health care needs. She may

need to monitor blood sugars, medication administration,

peak flow meters and rest time during the school day. A

health care plan may ensure that any potential

emergencies or special circumstances are planned for in

advance.

What is my role as a school administrator?

The administrator will determine how other faculty

and staff respond to the needs of a student with a

chronic illness. You have the opportunity to ensure that

these special students have the support and

understanding that is necessary for continued and

optimal school success. The administrator can pave the

way to a rapid response to parents and child, approving

necessary accommodations and modifications, and paving

the way for evaluation and subsequent provision of

special education services, when necessary. More than

anything, the attitude of the administrator will likely

shape the attitude of all others in the school in regard

to the child with a chronic illness.

What is the difference between an IEP and 504

Plan, and which works best?

The difference between an IEP and a 504, is that if

your child needs access to the curriculum, but they can

learn from the regular education curriculum, the 504 is

approiate. 504 is a Civil rights law, under ADA

(American with Disabilities Act).  An IEP (Indivual

education Program) falls under IDEA (Individual with

Disabilities Education Act) and is an Educational Law.

An IEP says your child needs a " special education

program "   a program that is fundamentally different from

the way other children are learning. 

Both can technically provide specialized instruction,

but because no federal funding accompanies a 504, in

practice schools a 504 is used only for accommodations, 

modifications, (not for specialized instruction, related

services, etc.).  If  child needs those, then it's an

IEP.  Either one should encompass all of the child's

needs. Any child covered under IDEA (has an IEP) is

automatically under the Section 504 laws (but the

opposite is not true). IDEA (child with a IEP) offers

more rights and protections than 504.

Whether the student requires an IEP or a 504 Plan is

based on the individual learner and his/her needs. It is

wise to evaluate the student’s needs, and to consider

one of these methods for ensuring that individual

requirements are recognized and met. It is safe to

assume that most students with special health conditions

or chronic illnesses will require some sort of

interventions to “level the playing field” with their

classmates.

What are some other factors that may impact

learning?

Grief, child abuse, anxiety and stress. chronic

absences, bullying, and many other issues that kids must

deal with may cause challenges in learning. Each of

these situations may result in difficulty with

attention, concentration or memory. Being aware of the

potential for learning challenges may help educators

identify ways to help their students.

Where do I go for more information?

A child’s doctor will be able to direct you to

some sources of additional information. The doctor may

have printed material or books that are recommended for

your child’s specific needs. The public library is

another place to go to seek more information. Your

child’s principal will be able to tell you how to get

more information about school district issues. The

internet is a great source for additional information

about your child’s chronic illness, federal government

sites for persons with disabilities, special education

sites at both the federal and state level, and much

more. Of course, you want to make sure that the site you

are visiting contains accurate and factual information.

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