Is it time for school already?

MitoAction's TOP TEN Back-to-school TIPS for Kids with Mito

1. Pack extra snacks and fluids that can be kept with the child at all times.  Drinks and snacks are energy saving measures, and help to maintain a healthy energy baseline.
   
2. Use a backpack with wheels to lessen muscle fatigue.
   
3. Buy the classroom teacher a giant bottle of antibacterial gel, and request that it be kept by the door where students can use it every time they go in and out of the room.  Good handwashing is a must! Many school nurses will offer a handwashing campaign in your child's classroom if you ask nicely.
   
4. Request a free copy of MitoAction's ENERGY 4 EDUCATION DVD - a great way to get teachers and therapists up to speed on mitochondrial disease in less than 10 minutes!
   
5. Bookmark and use our recently updated "Tools for School" section, which includes Sample IEP plans, letter templates, protocols, daily checklists, etc.
   
6. Remember to schedule a time-out with your child's school nurse to share any changes that took place over the summer.
   
7. Remember to advocate that your child's schedule be adjusted to suit his or her "better times of the day".  For example, can physical therapy take place in the morning?
   
8. GIve your child's teachers and nurses a small card with all of your contact information, reminding them that you are only a phone call away if they have ANY questions or concerns during the day.  It helps to gently remind the people who care for our children at school that with mitochondrial disease, changes happen quickly!
   
9. While maintaining every student's right to privacy, ask that your child's teacher and school nurse let you know if there is a known contagious illness in the classroom.  Children with mitochondrial disease aren't always more susceptible to infection (some are), but almost all have difficulty recovering from even a minor illness.
   
10. Invite your child's teachers and therapists to visit MitoAction.org to learn about mitochondrial disease!  (Better yet, invite them to join your team at our September Energy event!)

Do you have other ideas or suggestions? Post a comment here or on our member forum.