Teachers can be great allies in keeping your child with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis 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 experience discomfort from arthritis even when nothing appears to be wrong. Please take him seriously if he says he's in pain.
2. My child may need to miss school due to medical appointments and arthritis flare-ups. Please let me know how I can help her make up missed work.
3. My child may tire easily or have trouble doing certain physical activities. Please be aware that this is a health problem and not a behavior problem.
4. It's okay to let my child's classmates know about his condition as long as it is done in an appropriate way. I'd be happy to help prepare a program.
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.
Print-Outs to Share with Teachers
School Success
Source: Arthritis Foundation
Sample Letters to School Personnel
Source: Arthritis Foundation
Adapted Physical Education Fact Sheet: Arthritis (pdf)
Source: TAPHERD
Information for Teachers
Source: Arthritis Australia
Arthritis
Source: National Association of Special Education Teachers
