Education and Serious Illness in Children and Adolescents

Finally, the Chapter Nine presents the educational needs of children and adolescents with chronic and serious illnesses, and students who sadly experience chronic serious illnesses such as cystic fibrosis, cancers, and autoimmune diseases. Children and adolescents with chronic, serious illnesses can experience physical, psychological, and emotional effects which may hamper their attendance and engagement with school and their educational attainment. School and regular school attendance have both a normalcy effect and can impact on the quality of life of these students. Nonetheless, plans are also needed for illness related school absences. Options to support students include additional support at school, hospital school during hospitalisations and home tuition. Forward planning of an integrated, interdisciplinary, individualised, student centred plan can be of benefit. Further research is needed to optimise educational attainment and the associated quality of life for these students.