What you need to know
- Medical problems such as heart defects, immune deficiency, feeding problems, low muscle tone, and cleft palate typically occupy the management in infancy. In preschool and beyond, management switches to cognitive, behavioral and learning disorders.
- However, some children with 22q deletion syndrome will have ongoing medical issues, such as repeated surgeries to repair a complex heart defect.
- Ongoing treatment of speech difficulties may require additional surgeries in school age children. Speech therapy commonly continues throughout elementary school.
- Sleep disturbances may occur in 22q deletion syndrome due to structural and functional abnormalities. These can lead to behavior and/or learning difficulties.
- Be aware, or ask parents, if the child has a medical alert bracelet.
- No special diet is required for 22q deletion, although a well balanced diet is important.
What you can do
- It is important to meet with the parents to learn about the child’s individual medical needs. Although many of the early medical needs may have resolved, each individual child is different and may have ongoing issues that are being addressed and may impact that child’s success in the classroom.
- Up to date immunizations are very important. A yearly check up and studies as needed should occur in the child’s Medical Home. Yearly vision screening can be done at school. Notify parents if the child seems tired.
- It is important to be aware of any academic or behavior changes. Contact parents when any differences are noticed.