A SCHOOL REENTRY PROGRAM FOR CHRONICALLY ILL CHILDREN

Children with chronic illness face many challenges as they cope with t he medical management of their disease. One of the best ways to promot e 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 fulfilli ng peer relationships, and decrease emotional trauma resulting from th e disease. Recent federal legislation regarding children with medical problems increases the likelihood that a positive school experience wi ll be developed for chronically ill students. This article describes a school reintegration pro gram aimed at overcoming the numerous psycho logical, physical, environmental, and family-based deterrents to schoo l reentry for chronically ill children. The program uses a systems app roach to children's mental health, with an emphasis on multiple aspect s of the child's environment (i.e., family, medical personnel, peers, and teachers). (C) 1998 Society for the Study of School Psychology. Pu blished by Elsevier Science Ltd.