Teachers can be great allies in keeping your child with cystic fibrosis 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 cough frequently and at times violently. The cough is related to the cystic fibrosis and is not infectious.
2. Due to digestive problems related to CF, my child has to take enzymes when he eats, and may have stomach pains or a sudden need to use the restroom.
3. It's okay to let my child's classmates know about her condition as long as it is done in an appropriate way; I'd be happy to help prepare a program.
4. My child has a serious health condition, but he is still a child with ordinary interests and hope and dreams. Please help us keep his 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 her life working together.
Printouts to Share with Teachers
A Teacher's Guide to CF
Source: CF Foundation
Cystic Fibrosis, Part 2 -- Implications for School
Source: Connected Kansas Kids
A Teacher's Guide to Cystic Fibrosis (pdf)
Source: Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
Cystic Fibrosis and School Issues (pdf)
Source: Seattle Children's
Cystic Fibrosis Information Package
Source: Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
