Medical Problems at School

Going to School with a Chronic Medical Problem

Sending your child to a new school is usually scary for any parent, but it can be even more frightening if your child has a chronic medical problem, such as food allergies, asthma, seizures, etc.

Do the teachers know what to do if your child has a seizure or if he is having an asthma attack?

Do school personnel know what foods to keep away from your food allergic child?

Who is your contact at school to discuss your child's medical problems? Who do you contact if that person is out?

Talking with school personnel and having an action or treatment plan in place at the school may help things run more smoothly. Specifically, the school should know what medications your child should take and when he is supposed to take them, what problems he may have and how to handle them, and how to contact you if there is a problem or emergency.

Contacting school personnel about your child's medical problems is especially important at the beginning of a new school year, particularly if he will be attending a new school.

In addition to the regular management of your child's medical problems, you may also want to discuss how his medical problems may affect his work at school and his optimal placement in class. This is not usually an issue for a health problem like food allergies, diabetes, or asthma, but it may be an issue if your child's medical problems also affect his school performance and his abilility to learn.

An evaluation by your Pediatrician before school starts to make sure that your child is 'tuned up' is also usually a good idea.