Consider educating family members, friends, school personnel and healthcare providers about your child's possible long-term and late effects of treatment. In particular, talk with teachers about your child's needs before he or she returns to school, as they and other school personnel may not be aware of the potential for long-term and late effects of treatment.
Work with your child's teachers and healthcare providers to develop a program tailored to his or her needs that features:
- Baseline testing. Baseline testing before treatment, if possible, and continued comparative testing during and after treatment can help identify whether neurocognitive problems or associated learning disabilities have developed.
- Special accommodations. School personnel can take steps to assist your child's return to school, such as allowing him or her more time to complete class work or take exams. You may qualify for extended benefits through your employer. However, the programs that you might qualify for may be complex. For further help, reach out to your Patient Education & Support Manager of your local LLSC office, the social worker and other members of your cancer team.
- Long-term planning. Plans can be developed to help a child through certain situations such as transitioning from middle school to high school or going on from high school to secondary education and adult life.
Related Links
- School
- Download or order The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's free booklets:
- Learning & Living With Cancer
- Long Term and Late Effects of Treatment for Childhood Leukemia or Lymphoma Facts