School reentry for the child with chronic illness

Chronic illness affects up to 20% of children in the school-age population, 10% of whom are severely compromised. Reintegrating these children is a growing problem for schools, children and their families, and health care professionals, as it has become apparent that school adjustment is highly significant in the children's overall adjustment. This article focuses on the issues of reintegrating the chronically ill child into the school setting, the types of school problems encountered, the process of school reentry, with illustrative case material, and the implications for the school and family of returning the chronically ill child to school.