Some students fight battles you can't see

The student who "looks okay"

In every school there are almost always students managing serious, chronic, and mostly invisible conditions: bleeding disorders, lupus, Crohn's disease, POTS, epilepsy, diabetes, sickle cell, chronic pain, and more. You might think they look like everyone else, but what if they're rushing to get infusions before homeroom, counting their bathroom trips, or trying to figure out if they will be able to survive the school events?

Small things adults can do (and not do) can make an enormous difference. Here are some examples.

3 Core Tips that help (from a student's perspective)

1. Believe us the first time. Even if the student might not look sick, please let them go to the nurse's office when they ask. You might never know what they're going through.
2. Know the student's 504 plan. Reading it before the school year starts can make a difference, and make sure the student will not have to share their accommodations in front of the class if they're not comfortable.
3. Let students go to the bathroom or get water if they need to. For students with heavy bleeding, Crohn's, or POTS, "waiting until the end of class" isn't an option. Letting them go when they need is very important.

What's a 504 plan, anyway?

A 504 plan is a legal document (under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act) that guarantees a student with a health condition equal access to school. It lists specific accommodations that the student will need to be able to thrive in school, like nurse access, permission to carry certain supplies, etc.