It is not intended to be used as the final resource for teachers in this area, but rather as an introduction. It is also not meant to indicate that teachers should be responsible for diagnosis, but rather that they may be the first to recognize symptoms and behaviours in the classroom. The focus is on ways that teachers can modify the learning environment to facilitate learning. Many of the suggestions are of a general nature. The needs of a student with a chronic health condition will vary, depending on the type of condition, the severity and, in some cases, the length of the time that the student has had the condition.
Individual students have individual needs.
It is important for teachers to be available to meet with a parent, and where appropriate, the student, to discuss any problems that may occur in the classroom, hopefully before they occur. The strategies submitted are not, for the most part, suggestions of major changes to a teacher's style of teaching. However, it is hoped that the suggestions offered will help facilitate discussion and sharing of important information between the teacher and school-based team, teacher and parent and, as appropriate, teacher and student.