When Your Child With Special Needs Goes to School

Have you talked to your school nurse? Has your child recently been in the hospital? Has your child’s care plan changed?

Your child deserves appropriate care at school. Working with your child’s care team can help your child stay healthy at school. Your child’s care team may include your child’s doctor, school nurse, principal, teacher and others. Plan ahead with them before your child goes to school. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or share ideas to get the help your child needs.

Before your child goes to school, talk with your child’s care team about:

• When your child will be ready for school
• Expectations for your child’s care and treatment at school
• Your child’s pain, discomfort, or energy level at school
• If your child will need to miss school, have a hard time concentrating or difficulty learning skills
• What supplies, equipment or adaptations your child may need at school, like crutches, a wheelchair or g-tube feedings
• How your school nurse or school can help you, and what services they provide
• Transportation for your child to and from school (be sure to talk with your child's bus driver)

Prepare for school:

• Gather any medicines and forms needed for school
• Create an emergency plan and list of phone numbers for you, your child’s care team and other contacts
• Fill out and distribute your child's In Case of Emergency Form, Contact List, and Care Notebook's School Contact List

Once your child has entered school, be sure to keep updated on:

• New behaviors or feelings your child may have, and the need for counseling
• Changes in your child’s activities, like gym class, lunch, outdoor recess, where to sit in class and field trips