How Forward Leap Caters to Students with Medical Needs

As educational trends change, micro-schools have emerged as a powerful solution for meeting the diverse needs of students. These small, intimate learning environments offer flexibility, personalized attention, and tailored support. So, what happens when we extend this model to serve students with medical challenges? Nothing but good things!

In this post we will explore how Forward Leap will accommodate the needs for these young learners so that they can have the high-quality education they deserve.

The negative effects on schooling

Medical issues and conditions can pose a real challenge in public schools for students, their families and special education staff. These challenges can get in the way of the education of the student leaving them behind and with gaps in the knowledge.

Below are some ways that medical issues and conditions can make things difficult in a public school setting:

• Doctor visits- A child with medical needs may have to go to a lot of appointments and check-ups which leads to them missing part or all of school days.

• Not feeling well in class- Depending on what the condition is, a child might not feel well in class at times. This can affect their performance as they might have a hard time paying attention or doing seat work.

• Having to stay home for an extended period of time- If a child has a condition that makes them stay sick for a longer period of time than usual or if there is stuff going around at the school and they need to be kept safe from it-they might end up missing a lot of days.

• Staff and parent communication failures- If the parents and staff aren't on the same page, the care and education of the child might be negatively affected.

• Low self-esteem- A child with a medical condition might feel bad about themselves which could then lead to motivation issues when it comes to school work.

• Being made fun of/not having friends- If a child is made fun of about their medical condition and/or do not have friends, they might feel depressed which could affect their motivation.

• Staffing issues- A lot of people don't view working with people who have disabilities as a desirable profession. Because of this, the schools could be short staffed in the special education department which might lead to students with medical needs not getting adequate care and a good education.

Our experience

I have taken care of many children who are neurodiverse and/or have medical issues along with it. My work experiences have taught me so much about different types of conditions, the challenges the conditions cause in a variety of settings and how to help make accommodations for them so that they can participate in as many things as possible.

Below are the specific medical issues and conditions (in addition to neurodiverse ones) I have experience with:

• Down Syndrome

• Severe allergies

• Mild to severe epilepsy

• Fragile X syndrome

• Cerebral Palsy and other mobility issues

• Hard of hearing

• Blindness

• G-tube fed

• TBIs

• Diabetes- both types

• Asthma

• Moderate to severe IBS

• Lung conditions

• Migraines

My husband (who will most likely substitute at times and creates our STEM curriculum) has even more experience with medical conditions as a long-time medical professional. He will be bringing his expertise to Forward Leap to help out if need-be.

Why Forward Leap for Students with medical issues?

We are determined to make our learning community inclusive to students with medical issues. The good thing about the micro-school model is that it makes it a bit easier to do so. The following is why parents of children who have medical needs might want to consider enrolling them into Forward Leap:

Individualized Care:

• Students with medical conditions require personalized attention. At Forward Leap they will receive a tailored instruction, have the curricula adapted to their needs and be provided with other necessary accommodations.

• Whether a child has mobility challenges, chronic illnesses, or specific dietary needs, Forward Leap can and will address these unique requirements.

• Therapists they may have are allowed in the learning space to conduct therapy as needed. Flexible Schedules:

• Medical treatments, therapies, and doctor appointments disrupt traditional school hours. Forward Leap can adjust schedules to accommodate these essential health-related activities.

• Students won't miss out on learning opportunities due to medical obligations as there will be plans put in place for when they need to be out. Emotional Support:

• Battling medical issues can be isolating. Forward Leap will foster a sense of community and emotional well-being for them.

• The Forward Leap community will rally around students with medical conditions and create a supportive network. Holistic Learning:

• Forward Leap will emphasize whole-child development. Beyond academics, they focus on social-emotional growth, mental health, and physical well-being. This is important for them as they navigate through life with their medical condition.

• Students learn coping strategies, resilience, and self-advocacy so that can better deal with their condition.

• They will learn that they are not their condition and that there is more to them than that.

Challenges and Solutions

Health and safety protocols:

• Forward Leap adheres to strict health guidelines. This means regular cleaning/sanitization/disinfection, proper ventilation, and emergency protocols are crucial.

• Any adult that works with the students will receive training in handling medical emergencies and all of the policies. Inclusive curriculum:

• Forward Leap will integrate health education into the overall curriculum. Students will be taught about medical conditions so they have a better understanding on them.

• Some health-related projects will be done to further enhance learning. Parent-teacher collaboration:

• Parents play an active role. They communicate medical updates, share care plans, and collaborate with me so that the child is receiving the proper care and education.

• Regular check-ins ensure alignment between home and school.

Conclusion

Forward Leap is not just about academics; we are also about compassion, resilience, and empowerment. By serving students with medical needs, we are doing what we set out to do- meeting every child where they are and helping them thrive.

If you have a child with a medical condition and are interested in an alternative school option for them- don't hesitate to get in touch! I would love to hear from you and discuss how we can provide a personalized and flexible education for your child.

#microschool #homeschooling #medical #chronicillness #children #privateschool #schoolchoice