School health education for the chronically impaired individual

Educators often find themselves confronted with the need to address health-related problems of chronically impaired students. Specific needs often are demonstrated by chronically impaired individuals. The roles and responsibilities of the classroom teacher with respect to meeting these needs are discussed. In addition, suggestions about how these concerns can be addressed through existing classroom health instruction are offered. Teachers can use the health curriculum to compliment the efforts of parents and health-care providers in informing, supplementing, and reinforcing disabled students' knowledge, attitudes, and skills. In this way, chronically impaired children can be assisted to meet present and future health needs in a manner conducive to optimal growth and development.