The excerpt from "Saving Money and Getting Help: Advice for Families of Children with Spina Bifida" (Lynn Rosenfeld) provides guidelines for parents concerning health insurance, health maintenance organizations, and questions to ask concerning health insurance coverage and filing claims. (DB)

Approximately 10% to 15% of children have some chronic health condition; 2% of children in the United States have severe chronic illnesses. Certain problems are common to most families with a chronically ill child: high costs, heavy daily care burden, conflicting professional advice, and social isolation. Early intervention may diminsh handicaps…

The handbook presents California guidelines for training school personnel to provide skilled nursing procedures such as tracheostomy suctioning and misting for students with special health needs. The workbook begins with an overview of the anatomy and function of the respiratory system, specifically breathing mechanics. Part 2 considers the…

The eight issues of Handi Helps presented in this document focus on specific issues of concern to the disabled, parents, and those working with the disabled. The two-page handi help fact sheets focus on the following topics: child abuse, leukemia, arthritis, Tourette Syndrome, hemophilia, the puppet program "Meet the New Kids on the…

Parents of severely disabled or chronically ill children need to find competent baby-sitters for respite as well as opportunities to spend time with other family members. Baby-sitters, who may be found among supportive professionals, community groups, and college sutdents, may be trained to deal with specific child care concerns. (CL)

Problems in research on chronic illness in children include the use of appropriate control groups and matching on control variables. The generic or cross-categorical approach has led to the identification of factors affecting children regardless of the particular illness. Adjustment to school depends on coordination of the family and health…

A chart is provided for use by teachers to assist in understanding the implications of the most widely used medications for school children. The chart lists the drug, the reason(s) for use, the problem or condition for which it is prescribed, and the side effects that might be noticed by teachers. (PHR)

The program was shown to be effective in increasing students' knowledge about epilepsy and fostering positive attitudes about those with epilepsy. (DLS)

This brochure addresses the problem of gestational diabetes and answers the most frequently asked questions about the disease. It begins by defining gestational diabetes and discussing its cause, then addresses such topics as: (1) how gestational diabetes differs from other types of diabetes; (2) who is at risk for developing gestational diabetes…

In helping to mainstream physically or health impaired children, the teacher consultant assesses a student's educational needs through testing, consultation with the school and doctor, parent interviews, and discussions with related services personnel. Implementing the instructional program includes being involved in the individualized education…

Essential information about Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is provided for school personnel. The policy statements of several national organizations regarding school attendance of children and teachers who have tested positive for AIDS virus are included. Relevant hotlines, organizations, audiovisual materials, and publications are…

Suggestions are made about the type of information that educators should obtain from and communicate to health care providers and issues that may enhance effective communication with those in the health system. (Author/CL)

Presented is a chart for educators on common medications which may be taken by students for such health problems as diabetes, hypertension, epilepsy, asthma, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, and leukemia. The possible side effects of each drug are explained. (SJL)

The article reviews studies showing that speech and language intervention during the period of cannulation can benefit tracheostomized and ventilator-dependent children by improving their communicative functioning while decreasing their frustration with the tracheostomy placement. Therapeutic interventions with feeding skills are also recommended.…

This set of guidelines by the Maryland Board of Nursing presents the role and responsibilities of the school nurse in relation to the child with special health care needs. The introduction identifies four basic issues including necessary level of preparation, who determines what nursing care can be delegated, under what conditions nursing care can…