The transition to high school is a nerve-wracking time for most teens. New school, new schedule, new teachers, and new friends may create anxiety and nervousness for both students and parents. When you add a bleeding disorder into the mix, it can be downright frightening—if you’re not prepared! This article will help ensure proper steps are being taken to help your child with a bleeding disorder transition to school with ease.
Contact the School Counselor
Continue or Establish a 504 Plan
Contact the School Nurse
Discussion or In-service with School Personnel
Whether you communicate with the various school personnel by phone, email, or face-to-face, be sure to document your discussions in writing. Keep a log of meetings with dates, times, subject matter, and results of meetings for future references.
1. Contact the School Counselor
Speak with the school counselor to discuss the potential impact your student’s medical condition and anticipated absences may have on their education. Discuss how past absences have affected your child and what can be done to minimize the effects. If your child has a 504 Plan, include modifications pertaining to multiple classes, and make sure all teachers are made aware.
2. Continue or Implement a 504 Plan
If a 504 Plan is not yet in place, establish a plan to address absences, makeup work, the inclusion of extra time to compensate for missed instruction related to illness, extra travel time between classes when needed, and any additional educational accommodations required. Your child’s doctor’s office should be able to fill out the medical paperwork needed to initiate the 504 Plan. It is important to consider implementing a 504 Plan regardless of whether your child ever actually needs the accommodations.
3. Contact the School Nurse
Contact the school nurse to discuss your child’s medical condition. Provide the school a letter (written on letterhead) from the child’s physician or medical team explaining the following:
Medical condition
Medication and ancillary storage needs
Instructions for care
Infusion protocol, if the child is to self-infuse
at schoolEmergency protocol, including whom to contact
If infusing at school, discuss with the nurse where your child can infuse and what assistance they may need.
Keep in mind not all nurses are familiar with infusion protocol, so it is important to review the steps with them in advance.
4. In-Person Discussion with School Personnel
Accommodations will vary from student to student and as each individual student Invite all school personnel who may interact with your child including teachers, counselor, nurse, administrators, etc. Discuss your desired plans for various scenarios, including bleed protocol. Inform those involved of what to do should a medical situation or medical emergency arise. Explain the need for your child to have freedom of action should he or she deem necessary.
Home Infusion Steps and Helpful Tips
Even those very experienced in self-infusion sometimes miss a vein. For those living with a bleeding disorder on factor replacement therapy, this 3-page guide provides steps for successful home infusion. The guide also provides helpful tips for infusing a child.
Patient Navigation Program
Securing access to prescribed therapy, resolving insurance issues, and dealing with medically-related financial burdens represent some of the health system challenges faced by members of the bleeding disorders community. Our Patient Navigation Program is here to help!
DISCLAIMER: THIS IS NOT MEDICAL ADVICE. All information, content, and material is for informational purposes only and is not intended to serve as a substitute for the consultation, diagnosis, and/or medical treatment of a qualified physician or healthcare provider. Please consult a physician or other health care professional for your specific health care and/or medical needs or concerns and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read here or on our website.
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