School During Eating Disorder Treatment
At Kartini, we take school very seriously, which is why we created Kartini School, a state registered alternative school program. Any chronic illness interrupts school and may cause worry about academic progress. For this reason we have a school for patients in our PHP program. If your child is hospitalized during the school year, we can work with your child’s teacher(s) or counselor to get assignments and find out about learning goals. (Unless you have your child’s specific permission to do otherwise, please inform school officials on a need-to-know basis only about your child’s diagnosis. We advise you to let your child be in charge of what he/she wants friends and non-essential school officials to know.)
Managing School Issues During Treatment
Parents may need to assist the Kartini School in getting materials from their child’s school during treatment at Kartini Clinic. Here is additional information on how to help with school while your child is in day treatment:
- Sign the release form in your parent manual to allow Kartini School providers to communicate with your daughter’s/son’s school.
- Request a conference with the school counselor to gain educational support and to ensure your child receives any additional assistance after treatment..
- Request a letter from Kartini Clinic excusing your child from PE classes if she/he has activity restriction during transition from day treatment back to school.
PE or health classes in particular may be a trigger for many of our eating disorder patients, particularly if curricula includes discussion of eating disorders, nutrition, weight loss, and related issues. As a parent, please do not hesitate to request a letter from Kartini Clinic making alternative arrangements if your child reports increased stress as a result of participation.
Consider developing a 504 plan with the school counselor to ensure that your child receives the support needed to transition successfully back to school and to learning to live with a chronic illness.
