This article describes the use of ecological assessments for medically fragile students to ensure transitions across service settings. A multi-step process involving the collaboration of multidisciplinary medical and educational teams to develop a Health Care Plan is described. The school health nurse is targeted as the liaison who facilitates…

Food allergies can kill a child, and camp offers many opportunities for things to go wrong. One camp with many allergic campers gathered information from parents on the extent of allergies and medications needed; educated staff about the seriousness of allergies, food preparation procedures, and snacks; and prepared an emergency plan. Family,…

Morning and afternoon salivary substance P and cortisol levels were measured in 26 adults with chronic self-injurious behavior (SIB) and severe developmental disabilities and compared with controls without SIB. Chronic SIB was associated with an altered diurnal pattern of salivary substance P, characterized by lower levels of morning substance P.…

The communication skills of 8 children (ages 4 to 9) with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome FAS) were assessed and compared with non-FAS children matched for ethnic background, living situation, and nonverbal cognitive ability. FAS children showed abnormalities of the speech mechanism and inconsistent articulation, comprehension, and grammatical abilities.…

Discusses steps that professional sports organizations are taking to identify athletes with drinking problems and help them reach full recovery. Many teams are taking preventive steps such as offering information about the dangers of alcohol, issuing new policies dealing with players' rights and providing for employee assistance programs. (SM)

The hemophilia community has been deeply affected by the catastrophe of AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome). The use of blood products that had first restored the potential for normal survival now bring the threat of AIDS infection and fear and discrimination from others. Strong leadership has come from the National Hemophilia Foundation.…

Maintains that the prevention of heart disease begins in childhood with good dietary habits and health care. Provides parents and child care professionals with guidelines they can use to help prevent heart disease in children. (BB)

This observational study examined 60 mothers' comments during play with their 4- to 8-month-old infants who had been either full-term, preterm well, or preterm sick. Mothers of sick preterm babies engaged in the most overall talking, mothers of full-term babies made the most negative remarks, and mothers of healthy preterm babies made the fewest…

The Eco-Triadic Model of educational consultation can assist students with cancer during reentry to school. A unique feature of the model is its description of the ecosystems (hospital, school, and family) and mediators that interact with a student and consultant. The model also provides for direct service by the consultant to the student.…

This study found that the incidence of Gardnerella vaginalis infection was not more common in 191 female children who had other evidence of sexual contact than in 144 female children evaluated for possible sexual abuse but with no evidence of sexual contact found or in 31 female children with no suspected sexual contact. (Author/DB)

This article looks at the roles and responsibilities of teachers concerning both their own and their students' reactions to death, in the context of the increasing numbers of medically fragile children in the classroom. The importance of teacher self-awareness, helping children understand and react to death, and providing parental assistance is…

Evaluation of preoperative and postoperative equivalent ear canal volume measures on 334 children (ages 6 weeks to 6.7 years) with chronic otitis media with effusion found that the determination could be made very accurately for children 4 years and older. Criterion values for tympanic membrane perforation and preoperative and postoperative…

Presents current information and statistics concerning cancer that can inform students and affect students' attitudes toward cancer. Discusses the dangers and methods of lowering the risks of common cancers in young people. (Contains 12 references.) (MDH)

Provides a case analysis of a child with a medically complex profile in which early-intervention staff and special-education staff worked to determine family priorities and utilized the local hospice agency to devise creative programming that meets the needs of the family and child. (Author/CR)

Guidelines for managing the child with asthma in educational settings address effects of asthma on academic performance, psychosocial effects, the need for collaboration with parents and medical personnel, common triggers of asthmatic episodes, symptoms, communication with parents, and resources. A sample asthma care plan is attached. (DB)