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News Releases
Juvenile Arthritis and School:
Start the New Year Right
Columbia, Mo. (August 15, 2007) - For nearly 285,000 American children with juvenile arthritis (JA), beginning a new school year presents not only academic challenges, but physical ones, too. While symptoms of JA typically include pain, fatigue, stiffness and swelling, the disease affects every child in a different way. In many cases it can even affect school performance.
Teachers and school officials don't always know about the potential effects of arthritis in children. Often, children with arthritis may even try to ignore or hide their stiffness and pain because they want to be like their classmates. If you are the parent of a child with arthritis, it is important for you to be your child's advocate. Initiating communication with teachers and school officials will help your child.
"The process of modifications and parent involvement should begin immediately when JA diagnosis is made and also at the beginning of each new school year," says Margaret Lindsey, RN, director of the Southwest Regional Arthritis Center at the St. John's Regional Health Center in Springfield, Missouri. "A clear understanding of the diagnosis and modifications which improve the learning process should be discussed."
Attendance is key to any student's academic success. Parents, teachers and the school need to find ways to maintain regular attendance and participation in all classroom activities. Working with the school to create a supportive educational environment will increase the student's academic success, comfort and safety.
Occasional absences or tardiness may arise due to morning stiffness, disease flares, or doctor's appointments. Although such tardiness or absences are necessary, it is imperative to communicate with your child's teacher to see that missed work is completed.
Because a child with JA can encounter periods when their symptoms are better or worse, it is important for the schools to understand the unpredictable nature of this condition and the importance of medication. Taking medications on time, especially during a school day, can be critical to a child's wellbeing. Make sure your child's teacher also is aware of possible side effects that could impact your child's performance.
School is very important in your child's development. Creating and keeping good communication with the school can make all the difference for a child living with JA.
The Missouri Arthritis Research Rehabilitation and Training Center (MARRTC) was established in 1971 at the University of Missouri-Columbia Arthritis Center. MARRTC is funded by the U.S. Department of Education's National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (H133B031120) and is the only federally funded arthritis rehabilitation research and training center in the country.
As part of the MU Health Communication Research Center (HCRC), MARRTC's mission is to become a national leader in the areas of disability management and communication, improve the quality of life and promote independent living among people who have arthritis and arthritic conditions. MARRTC's core message is "Disability is everyone's issue."
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