OTHER

Encompasses a range of conditions that include having limited

strength, vitality, or alertness, including a heightened alertness to
environmental stimuli, that results in limited alertness with
respect to the educational environment, that— (a) is due to

HEALTH
chronic or acute health problems such as asthma, attention
deficit disorder or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder,
diabetes, epilepsy, a heart condition, hemophilia, lead poisoning,
leukemia, nephritis [a kidney disorder], rheumatic fever, sickle
cell anemia, and Tourette syndrome; and (b) adversely affects a

IMPAIRMENTS
child’s educational performance. - IDEA

ADD and ADHD, Diabetes, Epilepsy, Heart Conditions, Hemophilia, Lead Poisoning,
Leukemia, Nephritis, Rheumatic Fever, Sickle Cell Anemia, Tourette Syndrome, Fetal
Alcohol Syndrome, Bipolar Disorder, Dysphagia, At-risk, Asthma

ASTHMA
Asthma is a condition in which your airways narrow and
swell and produce extra mucus. This can make
Asthma Characteristics
- Medications may lead to irritability and cognitive
breathing difficult and trigger coughing, wheezing and
difficulties
shortness of breath.
- Continual monitoring required

Student's Challenges - Students may need to take frequent trips to the nurse’s
office or store inhalers inside the classroom.
Absence - Attacks can be life threatening. 
- Potential to miss class time due to illness.
- Causes the student to catch up to the rest of the class Teacher Recommendations
- In 2008, asthma accounted for an estimated 14.4
- Positive family-school relationship(nurse/teacher/ -
million lost days of school among children nationally
parent-student)
- Anxiety can accompany Asthma
- Know the Diabetes Medical Management Plan (DMMP)
- Causes the student to lose focus on classwork
- Don’t draw unnecessary attention to students condition
- Asthma related sleeping problems
- Provide inconspicuous and gentle reminders
- May lead the student to be sleepy
- Do not “Label” Student
- Sleeplessness causes the student to lose focus on
- Always be prepared
class work
- Use the buddy system
Emotional - Allow unrestricted bathroom breaks
- Students can develop emotional problems due to the - Be patient
medical demands of the illness, frequency of attacks, - Communicate
physical discomfort, and time spent at home.
- This can cause the student to feel isolated and cause
them to lose focus on class work
JUVENILE
DIABETES
Type 1 diabetes, once known as juvenile diabetes or
insulin-dependent diabetes, is a chronic condition in
which the pancreas produces little or no insulin.
Insulin is a hormone needed to allow sugar (glucose)
to enter cells to produce energy.
Student's Challenges
- May need access to snacks during the school day.
- May need bathroom breaks more often.
- Several studies suggest that children with diabetes
miss about 8 more days of school per year than their
healthy classmates.
- Students with type 1 diabetes may need to leave
class to care for themselves and fulfill their particular
disease self-management requirements. A 2006 study
found that among students (average age 12 years),
56% had to miss class for routine, non-emergent
diabetes care. 
Diabetes Characteristics
Diabetes can affect learning, and if it’s not well managed
a child can have difficulties with attention, memory,
processing speed, planning and organising and
perceptual skills. So they might not achieve their full
academic potential.
Teacher Recommendations
Communication
- Basic background information
- Ways to effectively manage asthma
- When to use control medications
- Child’s needs
- How to reach child’s physician
- Location of each child’s Asthma action plan
- How to administer rescue medications
- How to keep classroom free of common  
 triggers and stimuli

References
http://www.parentcenterhub.org/ohi/
https://www.michigan.gov/documents/mde/Teacher_Tip_Sheet_8-7-13_430553_7.pdf
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/type-1-diabetes/home/ovc-2034097
http://www.breathingassociation.org/services/asthma-services/asthma-at-school/
http://edmedkids.arizona.edu/content/classroom-problems-and-solutions-diabetes
https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/health-communication-programs/ndep/health-care-
professionals/school-guide/Pages/publicationdetail.aspx
http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/healthlibrary/conditions/allergy_and_asthma/asthma_85,P01302
https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/your-child-and-diabetes/schools/school-staff
‘Helping Schoolchildren with Chronic Health Conditions’ - A Practical Guide by Daniel L. Clay