Children Parent/School Conference
For parents of children with hemophilia, the informational conference is an important first step in fostering positive relationships with school staff. It's also a good way to ensure that teachers and staff know how to respond if a child with hemophilia experiences a bleed or an injury while at school. Here are some frequently asked questions and answers about the parent/school conference:
When should I schedule the Parent/School conference?
The suggestion is that you contact your child's school two months before school starts and ask to schedule a meeting with the principal, school nurse, and your child's teacher(s). You can hold the meeting one month before school starts.
Who will facilitate the conference?
If at all possible, have the nurse or social worker at your child's treatment center accompany you to this meeting. This person can help to decrease anxiety and misconceptions that teachers or school nurses may feel about having a child with hemophilia.
Who should be present?
Anyone who plays a part in your child's life at school should be invited to this meeting. For example, participants could include:
- Members of your hemophilia treatment center or healthcare team
- Parents or guardians
- Teachers
- School principal
- School nurse
- PE teachers and coaches
- School counselors
- Coaches
- Playground supervisor
- Your child
What is the goal of the Parent/School conference?
This meeting typically provides members of your child's learning team with the following information:
- Basic details about hemophilia – definition, types, incidence, levels of severity, genetics of hemophilia
- Types of bleeds, complications of bleeding, and early recognition of bleeding
- The social, physical, academic, and emotional aspects of the condition
- Limitations that might need to be placed on the child's physical activity
- A make-up plan for missed schoolwork
- Information about infusions: Where will they happen, and who will administer them?
- Medications to be administered at the school as well as medications to be avoided
- Responsibilities of each member of the learning team, including specific plans for bleeding episodes
- Guidelines for specific injuries and emergency care plans
- Confidentiality guidelines
- Contact numbers
How can I educate my child's teachers about hemophilia?
When speaking with your child's teachers, remember that they may know very little about bleeding disorders. While your family has been living with hemophilia for some time, most schools and teachers will have little to no experience dealing with it. For specific information about hemophilia that you can share with educators, contact your treatment center.
What happens after the conference?
It's important to keep the school nurse and other members of the learning team up-to-date with your child's health throughout the year. Communication between all members of the learning team is key. If your child's teachers change mid-year, you may want to schedule a follow-up conference about hemophilia and how to manage it while at school.
Note: ThereForYou.com does not recommend a particular treatment for specific individuals and recommends that you consult your treatment center or physician before pursuing any course of treatment.
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