Learning disorders associated with asthma and allergies

Asthma and allergic disorders are common childhood illnesses. Children with these conditions may experience problems in their adaptation to school and impediments to their learning. However, many of the learning problems attr ibuted to these conditions have been overstated. Neither asthma nor allergi es directly alter brain development or neuropsychological functioning. Anox ia, secondary to respiratory arrest, occurs only rarely. Medications used t o treat asthma and allergic conditions may occasionally impact children's a bility to learn, although, for the most part, their effects are minimal. Si milarly, the effects of chronic ear infections or of school absence are typ ically reversible when asthma and allergies become well-managed. More signi ficant effects on children's concentration and learning occur because of th e sleep loss and general malaise that accompany these conditions. Reasonabl e efforts to provide at-home work for children during prolonged absences an d to provide some catch-up support upon return to the classroom should, in most cases, be sufficient to allow children with these chronic illnesses to maintain their pact with classmates.