A school reentry program for chronically ill children
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Children with chronic illness face many challenges as they cope with the medical management of their disease. One of the best ways to promote a sense of normalcy for these children is to promote regular school attendance. A positive experience at school can help children achieve a sense of mastery and control, increase self-esteem, promote fulfilling peer relationships, and decrease emotional trauma resulting from the disease. Recent federal legislation regarding children with medical problems increases the likelihood that a positive school experience will be developed for chronically ill students. This article describes a school reintegration program aimed at overcoming the numerous psychological, physical, environmental, and family-based deterrents to school reentry for chronically ill children. The program uses a systems approach to children's mental health, with an emphasis on multiple aspects of the child's environment (i.e., family, medical personnel, peers, and teachers). 1998 Society for the Study of School Psychology.