School Health Manual- Chronic Diseases

Chronic illness is a health condition of long duration and can often be debilitating. Students with chronic illness often have unique educational needs and health considerations that require individual planning. Every student with a chronic condition should have access to school nursing care. Better management and control of the chronic health condition is key to success for these students, both in school and in their community. Care for these students should include teaching and encouraging self-care skills, as the locus of control for making decisions about health shifts to the individual.

To help schools eliminate discrimination against students with disabilities, due to chronic conditions or other reasons, the Office of Civil Rights created this resource: Parent and Educator Guide to Section 504. Many students with chronic conditions will qualify for accommodations through Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.