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Why are children with sickle cell disease smaller or less physically developed than other children?
Children with sickle cell disease have red blood cells that do not carry oxygen as well as children with normal red blood cells. In order for any child’s body to grow and develop, oxygen is needed throughout the body for energy. A child with sickle cell disease will grow and …
Why should a student with sickle cell disease be able to keep a water bottle at his or her desk or leave class more frequently for water fountain and restroom breaks?
Water helps to increase a person’s vein size and allows sickle-shaped cells to flow through blood vessels more easily. Allowing a student with sickle cell disease to access water freely may help to reduce the pain that can occur with sickle cell disease. As a result of needing to drink …
Why do people with sickle cell disease have yellow eyes?
Sickle cell causes a person’s red blood cells to die more quickly than the red blood cells of a person who does not have sickle cell. Their eyes become yellow due to a substance that is released when the red blood cells break down.
Why is your child out of school so often?
A person with sickle cell disease needs to be seen by a doctor more frequently than other students, so they may be at a doctor’s appointment. At other times, sickle cell disease may cause a person to be in so much pain that he or she cannot attend school.
Is sickle cell disease contagious?
No, you cannot catch sickle cell disease like a cold. Sickle cell disease is a genetically inherited disorder, passed down from a person’s parents.
Tell teachers about changes in your child’s health.
Families can support their child’s school success by keeping in close contact with teachers. Parents should talk to teachers about plans in the event their child misses school (tutoring, assignment plan, a second set of books to keep at home or online resources for classwork) before a period of illness …
Develop an individualized care plan.
An individualized care plan is a written document that can be tailored to the specific healthcare needs of a student with SCD. An individualized care plan requires input from the teacher, school nurse, the child, and the family. Plans should include emergency contact information, any special needs the student may …
Talk to teachers about a 504 plan or Individualized Education Plan (IEP).
A 504 plan requires that a child with special healthcare needs (i.e., that limits one or more major life functions) be provided with ways to participate in general education programs. For example, in a 504 plan, students and families may develop a written request for access to an extra set …
Set up a meeting to discuss SCD with your child’s teacher.
It may be important for parents and teachers to meet at the beginning of each school year. Invite these school staff to an introductory meeting: your child’s teacher(s) including the physical education teacher, learning coordinator, school nurse, principal, or counselor. During an introductory meeting, it may be helpful to describe …