Teachers can be great allies in keeping your child with congenital heart defects safe and successful in school, but you'll need to make sure they have all the knowledge they need to help. Use these suggestions to create a information packet to bring educators up to speed.
Five Things Teachers Need to Know
1. My child may tire easily or resist activities that require exertion. This is a health issue, not a behavior issue.
2. My child may develop learning problems as a result of his condition or treatment. Please let us know about any changes you see.
3. Exposure to chicken pox and other infectious diseases can be very dangerous to my child, so please let us know if a classmate is ill.
4. My child has a serious medical condition, but she is still a child with ordinary interests and hope and dreams. Please help us keep her life as normal as possible.
5. Please keep the lines of communication open between our home and the school. My child needs all the adults in his life working together.
Printouts to Share with Teachers
Information for Teachers on Congenital Heart Defects
Source: About Kids Health
How Do Congenital Heart Conditions Affect Intellectual Functioning?
Source: About Kids Health
The Emerging Recognition of School and Behavior Problems in Children with Congenital Heart Defects
Source: Congenital Heart Information Website
Cardiovascular Disorders Fact Sheet
Source: Southwest/West Central Service Cooperative
Your Child's Special Needs (pdf)
Source: American Heart Association
