Getting ready for secondary school (eleven to eighteen year olds)

A national programme has been launched recently to develop both guidelines and services for adolescents with arthritis. A new information book has been recently published. CHAT 2 is the title and the book can be obtain free of charge from either Arthritis Care or the Children’s Chronic Arthritis Association (see chapter 17, Sources of Help, for addresses).

The secondary school presents new opportunities and challenges for all children, and children with arthritis, their parents and the school team need to carefully prepare for the young person's transfer to the secondary school. Having an SEN statement already in place is a considerable advantage when talking with the new school staff about how they could support your child.

Helping the young person to take responsibility for their health and life choices is part of seeing them grow up. When the young person has arthritis and needs practical help to do ordinary thing then the journey to independence can be longer and more complex. In general, parents help their children by giving them small steps towards independence, and in particular by encouraging them to make their own decisions and choices.

Common practical problems include having to carry heavy books to different classes, needing a personal laptop computer to use in different classrooms, walking between different classes, and maintaining daily physiotherapy exercises.

Involving children in annual reviews of their progress

The new Code of Practice recommends that children are to be actively involved in the annual review process. Different schools have different policies in this regard. If you want your child to be actively involved, they may need extra support to do so. Discuss this with the SENCO as soon as possible.