It may seem like the last school year just ended, but it is already that time for the next school year to begin! Being educated and prepared for you (or your little one) can significantly reduce the anxiety of not only getting back to school, but also the next step in teaching independance and empowerment with CF. One key logistic pertains to taking enzymes or albuterol in school. Most states and districts have a medication administration form that needs to be completed. Please contact your CF center and get the forms completed before the first day of school. Please provide your CF care center with the following information: the county that the school is in, and the name of the medication as well as the strength, dose and frequency. While it may vary from state to state, there are statutes that allow for your child to carry and self-administer enzymes and albuterol in school. An example of the Florida statute is HERE. Do your research and search for your state's statute online.
Below are some more resources that you can read and review for your own knowledge and that you can share with your school for their knowledge as well. Knowledge is power and the more that we educate the teachers and school nurses the better the school experience will be. There should not be two students with CF in the same class, and all students with cystic fibrosis should have a 504 plan which is an individualized education plan (IEP). This will let the special needs of your child with cystic fibrosis be known.
Here are some links that should help educate the school and teachers.
When there is more than one person in the school with CF:
Help Others Live STRONGER and LONGER-
Cheryl Kushner is a health care provider at the adult and pediatric CF Center at Joe Dimaggio Children's Hospital in Hollywood, FL. Cheryl is very involved with the CF community through events, family support and patient care.
***Views expressed in the CFLF Blog are those of the bloggers themselves and not necessarily of the Cystic Fibrosis Lifestyle Foundation***
***Please speak with your physician before making any changes to your CF management***
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