Preparing for School

The Right Tools

Preparing your child for school can be a fearful, stressful, and overwhelming experience for a parent; however, it does no need to be this way if you plan ahead. Getting your child ready for school is a team effort involving you, your child, school staff and the HTC staff.

The following steps are a guide for you in getting ready for school.

Planning

This should start before the current school is over by visiting the school and meeting with the principle about your child. At this time, set up a meeting date before the new school year for an educational session with the staff about your child and hemophilia. During the summer, here are some questions to think about.

What is the emergency plan of action (who to contact first and how)?
How will your child and the school staff respond to a bleeding episode.
What gym activities are planned for the year?
Who will and will not know about your child’s bleeding disorder?

Education

In educating the school staff, you will be able to clear up any misconceptions and decrease the anxiety of the staff regarding hemophilia. Involve your HTC team in the education of the school staff. You can contact Coram to work with the HTC and school staff in education.

Communication

Keeping the communication lines open between you, your child, school staff and the HTC team will make for a smooth school year. Remember that you, your child, and the school staff all play an important part in the education process by working together for the child.

Coram School Preparedness Program

Coram Hemophilia Services’ school preparedness program helps parents of children with hemophilia set the stage for a safe, happy and rewarding educational experience. Through a series of educational presentations, families and HTC staff learn how to educate school personnel and students about hemophilia: what it is, how it feels, how it’s treated and how schools should respond.

If you would like Coram to help educate your school about hemophilia, contact schoolprep@coramhemophilia.com. Coram will provide you with tools and educational materials to help make preparing for the school year easier. Presentations can also be coordinated and hosted by a Coram consumer advocate upon request.