15% of school children have chronic health conditions that can impact learning. Conditions like sickle cell disease cause pain episodes preceded by infections, dehydration or imbalances. Mild episodes can be managed with medication at school, but severe episodes require staying home or hospitalization. It is important that parents and teachers communicate about students' medical needs and allow flexibility for absences due to pain without doctor's notes. Maintaining hydration and allowing breaks can help prevent sickle cell crises. Individualized healthcare plans are important to support students with chronic conditions in regular classrooms.

2.  At least 15% of all school children in
regular classroom today have some
type of chronic health condition.

3.  It is important that parents and teachers
are not only but also aware of how these
condition can impact learning and
school adjustment.

4.  Pain episodes are often preceded by
• Infection
• Dehydration
• Certain chemical imbalances in body
fluids but can last from hours to many
days

5.  Mild pain episodes may be tolerated at
school with the help of pain
medication.

6.  But if they have more than a mild pain
episodes they will be require to stay at
home or be hospitalized.

7.  But historically we have under – treated
pain for fear of kids becoming addicted
to pain medicine.

8.  It is important that parents, school nurse
inform teachers of the medical care
plan.

9.  We strongly advise schools to allow
parents to keep a child at home due to
the pain without needing a note from
physical.

10.  Some kids with fatigue quickly during
vigorous physical activity depending on
the severity of the anemia.

11.  Children typically know what they can
tolerate although parents will sometimes
recognize when child tends to not realize
their limit.

12.  A child with sickle cell disease may need
longer period of time to recover from
vigorous activities than there peers.

13.  If a child looks particularly pale show a
low and decreased tolerance for
physical activity and seem “run down”
this may be a sign that their anemia has
become wore
 The school nurse and the parent should
be notified.

14.  The kids with sickle cell disease usually
have less ability to fight off infection than
peers.
 Infection is the leading cause of death in
young kids with sickle cell disease.

15.  Teacher can help these children by
planning ahead with the child and
parents to provide them with the
information they missed when away
from school.

16.  Maintaining good hydration is one best
way to prevent painful episodes and
other complication of sickle cell.
 It is important that you allow that child to
take frequent drink or to have a bottle of
water in class.

17.  Some children may benefit from
guidance counselor or psychologist in
managing stress and getting emotional
support.

18.  Occasionally teachers have concerns
that a child may be making complaints
of symptoms of sickle cell disease to get
out of classroom activities.

19.  Most children with sickle cell disease are
best served in regular class with an
individualized health care plan by
parents, school nurse, and other school
staff.

20.  This plan includes :
• a brief of health care issues
• Problems
• Goals
• An emergency plan
• Any necessary training needed by school
staff.

21.  The child’s health care plan should be
reviewed :
• Annually by school team and parents
• As often as necessary