For parents of children with chronic conditions, ensuring a smooth transition back to school involves careful planning and collaboration amongst school faculty and healthcare providers. As a new school year approaches, here are some helpful tips to help these children thrive and to bring yourself some peace of mind.

Notify all necessary school staff

Work with school staff including teachers, administration and the school nurse to notify them about your child’s condition. You can consider this group of school staff as your child’s school support team for managing their condition. Communicate the needs of your child, inform the staff about any nuances associated with your child’s condition and solidify any accommodations your child may need.

Try to do this as soon as possible, whether during meet-the-teacher night, school open house or if you need to schedule an individual meeting. The earlier the staff know about your child’s condition and the procedures surrounding it, the better the school can plan for emergencies or accommodations.

Additionally, if any changes are to occur regarding your child’s condition, it is extremely important you notify your child’s school support team so they are prepared, informed and educated.

Stock up on and provide health supplies to the school

Pack a kit for your child that includes medications in clearly labeled containers, any necessary medical devices and a copy of their care plan.

Plan for absences

Children with chronic conditions may need to miss school for medical appointments or when they are not feeling well. Work with you child’s teachers to ensure your child stays on track and that you have a plan for making up missing assignments.

Educate your child about their symptoms

Try talking with your child about their condition so they are aware of their symptoms. It is important your child can advocate for themselves and communicate their needs to their teachers. Foster a positive and empowering atmosphere when it comes to talking about school with your child so they do not feel discouraged about their condition.

Depending on your child’s age, it may also be beneficial to have them handle aspects of their condition themselves. In doing so, your child can take responsibility for their condition and may be able to better communicate their needs.

Host frequent check-ins

Monitoring and adapting with your child and their school support team is an important step in ensuring their health plan is working for them. Flexibility and open-mindedness to adjustments are qualities all members of your child’s school support team should keep in mind when evaluating your child’s health plan.

Maxim’s 1:1 school nursing services

Maxim Healthcare Services strives to help children with chronic conditions successfully move through school and prepare for the future. We work with school systems to develop and deliver solutions centered on optimal student experience and care delivery. Our 1:1 school nursing services allow students who receive nursing or personal care at home maintain that level of care at school.

Our trained and certified nurses can care for children with varying needs and diagnoses such as G-tube feeding, tracheostomy care, ventilator management, cerebral palsy, chromosomal anomalies, muscular dystrophy and seizure disorders.

We provide a range of services including:

  • 1:1 hourly nursing for part-time or full-time students in need of care during school, extended school year programs or field trips
  • 1:1 school health aides for students that need help with personal care or activities of daily living throughout the school day
  • Classroom nurses for classes that have multiple students in need of care or monitoring
  • Intermittent nursing for students that have a specific nursing need during school hours like a catheter change or insulin administration
  • Nurse bus runs for students that need medical monitoring on their before and after school bus rides

Here are three more reasons to choose Maxim for your school nursing needs!

Contact your local Maxim office to learn if 1:1 school nursing services fits your child’s needs!