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Juvenile Arthritis: Tips for School
By MARRTC staff
School brings challenges for students with juvenile arthritis (JA). Establishing effective communications between home and school is essential.
Arrange for a conference with the teacher(s), counselor, and school nurse before classes start. If medication is given at school, staff members need to have written instructions detailing the dosage and time.
Doctor appointments, flare-ups, and hospitalizations may cause frequent absences. Develop a plan for making up missed work and inquire about homebound instruction in case of prolonged absence.
Help your child's educators be aware of JA's impact on mobility, endurance, and energy level. Pain, morning stiffness, and drug side effects also need to be discussed.
Discuss curriculum and expectations of a regular physical education class. If needed, arrangements can be made for modified or adaptive physical education classes, based on a doctor's recommendations and the student's physical condition.
Work together to come up with ways to reduce impact on joints. For example, students may use rubber or foam build-ups on pencils or a book holder, which keeps the book at a comfortable angle. It may be possible to modify homework assignments and testing environments (allowing more time or giving tests orally).
Students with JA may require extra time to move from class to class; they may also need help carrying books. Classes should be close together if possible. Field trips, fire drills, and storm drills also need special attention.
For a positive experience, discuss issues before school starts.
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