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A Teacher And The Cystic Fibrosis Student

Teaching today can involve many different dynamics including dealing with those who have learning challenges and those who have little desire to be in school. When a teacher is faced with a student with physical challenges that stem from a medical condition, it can be helpful for the teacher to learn about that particular student's medical condition.

How will the medical condition affect the learning environment and the child's ability to function during all of the classroom hours and other school activities? The teacher can have a positive influence on the CF students ability to have a successful academic experience, if the teacher can take the time to understand and apply the knowledge learned to the individual in their care.

During the "gaining knowledge" stage of discovering CF, the teacher should pay specific attention to conditions inside the classroom. As well as take note of those conditions within the school building and in any of the outside areas that students have access to, that may be affected by the special issues of CF. This awareness of the school environment while learning about CF can allow the teacher to apply some practical steps immediately. As well as plan andprepare for particular problems and situaitons in their thought process so that may occur. Putting thoughts down on paper and having a plan of action will aid their student to learn and participate with greater success.

Some of the issues the teacher may come across are:  The physical signs of the disorder, the ability of the student to function physically, the need for medications, and special exercise. It is important to convey when needed the fact that CF is not contagious; reassurance to other faculty members and students the CF is not catching. This Knowledge will make it easier for the teacher to encourage any CF students to develop social relationships with other staff and students and to foster positive self-esteem.

The teacher will be concerned with providing as healthy an environment as possible for all students, of course. Some time will be spent addressing the special needs of students who have medical conditions. This will involve learning about the disorders or diseases and learning how to protect and provide a nurturing educational environment.

Teachers are often involved in creating an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) for students with special needs. Before addressing the process of creating this plan, the teacher should be sure that all persons involved have had the opportunity to learn about cystic fibrosis and the special needs for the age of the student. This plan can help the student by exploring tutoring needs, improvements in the physical environment of the classroom and school in general, as well as addressing specific situations like physical education, lunchtime and general social development.

One of the issues that the teacher can have a direct impact is with insuring that the classroom environment is as germ-free as possible. It is also important that the CF student be able to wash hands when necessary in-between bouts of coughing, sneezing or blowing his/her nose. When there is not visible dirt on the hands, a CF student may use antibacterial hand gel instead of soap and water. This gel can be kept in the classroom, allowing the student to easily use it without leaving the room. During cold and flu season, it would be beneficial for other students to have this antibacterial gel available as well.

The CF student may need to go to the bathroom more frequently than other students and should not be discouraged from doing so by too rigid of a bathroom schedule.




News About Teachers and Cystic Fibrosis Students