How You Can Help Your Child
- A confident parent makes a confident school.
- Your child’s condition must be on record even if it is very mild or if they only usually have a syncopal episode at home. It is better that the staff to be prepared and know what to expect in case an episode does occur while in school.
- If your child has not received an official diagnosis, it is important that the staff is still informed of any symptoms. Not having a diagnosis can mean that staff is not as sensitive and accommodating to the condition, but it remains essential that they are competent in supporting your child nonetheless.
- Be open and honest to all concerned about your child’s condition. It is imperative that everyone can properly understand syncope in order to provide the best support possible for them while they are out of your care. Awareness of syncope is the key to your child having a more understanding and supportive educational experience.
- It is normal to want to protect your child from harm, but at the same time they need to lead an ‘ordinary’ life even if the risks of doing so may mean episodes are triggered. If everyone around the child understands syncope and know how to help them, they can live an ‘ordinary’ life in their learning environment.
- Keep in close contact with the staff in your child’s place of education to ensure that they are being properly supported and that their condition is being monitored.
What the Staff Need to Know
- Individual triggers, symptoms, warning signs and side effects specific to your child’s condition. Each case is different and it is vital that those responsible for your child in their educational setting know the details of the particular case.
- All staff that may come into contact with your child should be informed and educated on the individual condition and management. It is at the discretion of you and your child as to whether your child’s peers are informed. Many children are sensitive about everyone knowing, but many have found that a simple explanation can help them to feel less self-conscious and can mean that their peers are not panicked or scared when witnessing a syncopal episode. Openness about the condition can also prevent it from being used as a weapon by bullies.
- If you decide that your child’s friends and peers should be informed, it is necessary that this is performed in a way that will not embarrass the individual, or cause alarm to the other children.
- Draw up a care plan (example) with the staff and ensure that this is circulated. You will need to decide upon a post-episode procedure, i.e. whether your child should be sent home, rest in-house and when it is necessary to call an ambulance.
- Highlight that your child is in every other respect a typical healthy child and that they should not be excluded from any aspect of the curriculum or extra-curricular activity unless otherwise stated by yourself or a medical professional. Reinforce the necessity of having at least one staff member on the premises that knows the procedure if an episode should occur.
What You Can Do
- Ensure that appropriate staff has the contact details of STARS and are aware of our website. Give them our educational materials.
- Offer to talk to staff/peers to explain your child’s individual condition.
- Reinforce the necessity for all staff to be made aware of the condition.
- For younger children, if you are able, offer to accompany your child on school outings, trips, etc. Staff will probably welcome this and be more amenable to your situation.
- If your child suffers with incontinence during their syncope episode, arrange for a change of clothes to be kept at school.
- Try not to worry about your child while at school. If a support system is established and staff is aware and able to cope in the event of an episode, they will be safe.