Chronic conditions and schooling

This fact sheet from Lung Foundation Australia is a valuable resource for parents and carers of children with chronic respiratory conditions, such as childhood interstitial lung disease. It offers essential guidance on navigating the school system to ensure their child’s educational needs are met. It outlines practical steps to establish strong relationships with schools, emphasising the importance of early communication with teachers and administrators to ensure they understand the child’s medical requirements, including considerations for medications, therapies and assessments. The resource provides insights on creating a medical risk management plan in partnership with the school, including details on accommodations, funding options, and available support services.

The fact sheet highlights the importance of collaboration between parents, schools, and healthcare professionals to optimize a child’s learning experience. It explains the process of developing individual education plans (IEPs) for students who require curriculum adjustments or additional support and discusses assessment arrangements, including exemptions or extra time considerations for exams. The document also provides information on accessing therapy services within schools, detailing how parents can coordinate government-funded or private therapy sessions on school premises to minimize disruptions to their child’s education.

For families facing challenges with school policies or management of their child’s condition, the fact sheet outlines grievance procedures, including escalation steps if issues remain unresolved. Additionally, it explores alternative schooling options such as hospital schools, distance education, home schooling, and specialized programs like Alta-1 for students who need tailored learning environments.

This resource is designed to empower parents and carers with the knowledge they need to advocate for their child’s educational rights while ensuring they receive the necessary medical and academic support. By providing clear, actionable steps and directing parents to further resources including National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), it helps create a more inclusive and supportive school experience for children with chronic conditions.