Articles

Information for Teaching Staff

Details

Category: Information Booklets

Published on Thursday, 13 August 2020 14:09

Hits: 9960

Possible solutions for coping at school or college

School/college can present all sorts of problems. Pupils may get stiff and sore sitting in class, find it difficult to concentrate, struggle to carry books from class to class or simply find the whole day too exhausting.

You will need to look at some practical solutions to make the school day easier for them. The first step is for you to discuss the problems they are facing with them and their parents as everyone with fibromyalgia does not have the same symtoms. It may be useful to research some information on fibromyalgia at our website at www. fmauk.org.

Encourage the pupil to come up with their own ideas and solutions, by going through the school day and identifying which activities cause more pain, what things make them anxious and what time of the day the fatigue gets too much.

Here are some ideas and solutions other young people have found useful:

• Permission to leave the classroom whenever needed.
• Permission to use the school/college or staff elevator if one is available.
• Rearrangement of classes to avoid having to constantly change classrooms.
• Using a luggage cart to carry books.
• Having a locker on both floors to avoid carrying so many books.
• Asking for an extra set of books so they have a set to keep at home.
• A support cushion to help them sit more comfortably.
• Using PE lessons to do their own individualised exercise programme. •
• Being provided with a quiet place to rest during lunch break or free periods.
• Having a laptop to take notes if they struggle to write.
• Provide printed notes or handouts.
• Arrangements to dictate or type examinations.
• Time extensions for homework and coursework.
• Provide work that can be done at home if unable to attend for several days.
• A part-time timetable with a reduction in the number of subjects taken.

In extreme cases home tuition may need to be considered.

It may be up to you to come up with ideas and solutions, so go through your school day and think about which activities cause you more pain, what things make you anxious and what time of the day the fatigue gets too much. Then, start problemsolving and thinking creatively to come up with solutions. Here are some ideas and solutions other young people have found useful:

• Permission to use the school or staff elevator if one is available.
• Rearrangement of classes to avoid having to constantly change classrooms. Using a luggage cart to carry your books.
• Having a school locker on both fl oors to avoid carrying so man books.
• Asking for an extra set of books so you have a set to keep at home.
• A support cushion to help you sit more comfortably.
• Using PE lessons to do your own individualised exercise programme.
• Being provided with a quiet place to rest during lunch break or free periods.
• Having a laptop to take notes if you struggle to write.
• Asking the teacher to provide you with their printed notes or handouts.
• Arrangements to dictate or type examinations.
• Time extensions for home work and coursework.
• Teachers to provide work you can do at home if you are unable to attend for several days.
• A part-time timetable with a reduction in the number of subjects you are taking.

Stephanie: “Fibromyalgia can make school very difficult. Fibromyalgia affects my hands so I cannot grip a pencil which means I have to have a computer to type up my notes. I dictated my exams, but it made me feel uncomfortable as I was dictating to a teacher. My teachers are very understanding. They have moved their classes around to accommodate me as I cannot manage the stairs or walk for a long time. There is a department at college called ‘learning support’ who help me a lot. They send me work home if I am too ill to come into school.”

Holly: “I asked for an extra set of books so I could have copies of my text books at home and did not need to carry books all the time. I find it difficult to concentrate and remember what I learnt in class. When I come to revise it is like learning the information for the first time. I also struggle with classrooms that have air conditioning as my muscles seize up and the pain is always more severe during these lessons. Most of my teachers are very understanding and will give me extra time to do my work.”

Carla: “I use a laptop because I cannot write but I can’t carry it so people have to do that for me. Music is difficult though because I cannot do everything on my laptop. My teachers are very supportive. I am allowed an extension if I need it and the teachers try to help as best they can. They even allowed me to hold a coffee morning for Fibromyalgia Awareness Day.” 

Katie: “I missed quite a bit of school as I was in so much pain but was able to do my work at home so don’t feel I missed out. I found it was difficult concentrating for a period of time and sitting in the uncomfortable chairs at a table for so long really made my back sore. My tutors were very supportive but I never asked for extra time as I didn’t want to be treated differently.”