Sickle cell disease can have a variety of academic impacts on a student including:

• Frequent Absences: Hospital visits, doctor appointments, and recovery from pain episodes (crises) may cause regular absences.
• Hospital Homebound: Frequent absences due to a student’s health condition, should lead to the creation of an intermittent or full-time homebound referral.
• Fatigue and Cognitive Challenges: Chronic anemia can cause fatigue, making it harder for students to concentrate or keep up with work. Additionally, the impact of the disease on the brain may impact learning, academic achievement, memory, and social skills.

Best practices for educators and administrators include:

• Flexible Attendance Policies: Work with families to provide makeup work, reduced assignments, recorded lessons, or online materials.
• Hospital Teacher: If possible, when the child is in hospital, school staff (teachers, social worker, counselor, and school nurse) should communicate with the hospital teacher.
• Extended Deadlines: Allow additional time for assignments and tests, particularly after absences or during recovery periods.
• Weather: Allow the child to avoid outdoor activities in very cold or hot weather. Have an alternative indoor activities plan in place without bringing attention to the student.
• Maintain open communication with parents, school nurses, and healthcare providers to stay updated on the child’s needs.
• During the adolescent stage, encourage the student to advocate for themselves as appropriate.
• Individualized Health Plan (IHP), 504 Plan, or IEP: Develop plans to address academic, learning, and health needs, including accommodations for fatigue or cognitive challenges.
• For School Nurses: Meet with parents and student at the beginning of the school year to go over their medical plan. Families should update the plan with their school nurse as needed.