What you need to know
Children with sickle cell disease may have frequent hospitalizations and doctor’s appointments. Pain can cause a child with sickle cell disease to miss school, even without a hospitalization. Anemia may cause a child to tire more easily. Easy fatigability will occur more in the heat.
What you can do
Make sure the child is well hydrated and can have a place to rest when they become fatigued. Students may require extra help and encouragement when illness interferes with school. Keeping up school work is important. Monitor work so that it is challenging, but there are attainable and realistic goals. Plan for absences and consider tutoring. Communication with parents is important to meet these challenges.