TOP FIVE TIPS FOR BACK TO SCHOOL SUCCESS WITH JUVENILE ARTHRITIS

Back-to-school can be exciting—but for families and youth living with juvenile arthritis (JA) and other rheumatic diseases, it can also feel overwhelming. Between medical care, school prep, and new routines, there’s a lot to juggle.

At Cassie + Friends, we’re in constant touch with families and healthcare teams about the real-life challenges kids with JA face- and ways we can work together to solve them. Below, you’ll find our community’s top five tips to help your child (and you!) feel confident, comfortable, and supported as they return to the classroom.

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UPCOMING EVENTS: Don’t miss our 2025 Back to School Series!

This year, we’re hosting two special Back-to-School sessions designed to give families and teens/young adults extra support and resources.

• For K-12 Families: School Talks: From Everyday Advocacy to Individualised Plans | September 9th @ 4:30pm PST/ 7:30pm EST | MORE INFO + REGISTRATION
• For Teens and Young Adults: Telling Your Story: A Workshop on Writing Effective Applications |October 19th @ 1:00pmPST/4:00pm EST |MORE INFO + REGISTRATION COMING SOON

Here are our Top Five Tips for Back to School Success – with input from youth, families and healthcare! Questions? Tips to Share? Email: marissa@cassieandfriends.ca

Review Your Child’s Health + Daily Routines

As the school year begins, it’s worth taking a moment to check in on your child’s current health and daily routines. Here are some great check-in questions to ask yourself and your child:

1. Is your child in a flare, or is their disease well-controlled? This can make a big difference in how much you’ll want to share with teachers and staff. If your child is in pain, struggling with symptoms, or is in any way affected by their condition, now is a good time to check back in with your child’s rheumatology team to address any concerns.
2. How is sleep going? Sleep is another big factor to consider — if your child has been struggling with fatigue or irregular sleep patterns, letting the school know can help them better understand your child’s needs in the classroom.
3. Will your child need any medication or treatments during the school day? Now is also the time to make sure any medication forms are up-to-date. If your child may need Tylenol/Advil during the day, assistance with eye drops, or other prescriptions at school, having the proper paperwork completed will ensure everything runs smoothly. And finally, take stock of how pain management and injections have been going. Some children may need flexibility around gym or recess, while others may need breaks during the day to manage their symptoms. We’ve put together webinars and resources on injection support that can help you and your child feel more confident as you work with the school on a plan.

Checking in on these areas not only helps you feel prepared but also ensures that your child’s school team has the information they need to support your child in having the best year possible.

Partner With Your Child’s School for Success

Once you know who your child’s teacher will be, it’s a great time to begin building a partnership with the school. Teachers want your child to succeed, and starting the year with clear communication sets the tone for collaboration and understanding. A simple letter or email can go a long way in making sure expectations are clear and your child’s needs are supported.

Our customizable School Letter Templates, in English and French, can help guide what to share. This includes details such as: 

• How your child’s disease affects them (i.e., specific joints, rash, fevers, etc.) 
• How pain, stiffness, or other symptoms like fevers may limit participation in physical education or certain classroom activities
• Awareness that symptoms may come and go — your child might be doing well one day and struggling the next — and teachers should be prepared for this variability.
• Any medications your child is taking and potential side effects
• Expectation of absences for doctor’s appointments or late arrivals due to morning stiffness. 
• A request for teachers to keep an eye out for any symptoms they notice during the school day, whether physical or emotional. Sometimes children feel sadness, frustration, or embarrassment about being “different,” and teachers can be important allies in recognizing and supporting those feelings.

At Cassie + Friends, we know these conversations can feel overwhelming. That’s why we’ve created resources — including our upcoming 2025 Back-to-School Events — where youth and parents can learn from each other and from experts about how to communicate effectively with schools. 

With my own experience as both a parent and former educator, I know how valuable it can be to collaborate on what information is most helpful for teachers, and how to share it in a way that builds connection rather than stress.

When families, schools, and healthcare teams work together, kids feel supported not only in their health but also in their learning and friendships — and that makes all the difference.

Encourage Healthy Movement at School

Managing fatigue is a crucial aspect of helping children with rheumatic disease succeed in school. Short, planned breaks for movement or rest can make a big difference in your child’s comfort and ability to stay engaged throughout the day. These breaks might look like stretching at their desk, taking a short walk around the classroom or playground, or having a quiet moment to rest when pain or fatigue sets in.

It’s also important to remember that physical activity is a key component of JA management — even if it comes with many questions and concerns for families learning how to navigate the disease. Early detection, intervention, and strong parent support are critical to helping your child lead a healthy and active life, both now and after their disease activity is under control. By encouraging healthy movement throughout the school day, you’re not only supporting your child’s energy levels but also contributing to their long-term health and well-being.

• Movement Minutes & Body Breaks – brief, planned times to stretch, move, or walk around. If your child has assigned physiotherapy exercises, they could be factored into these breaks!
• Guided Stretching – simple stretches led by the teacher, an Educational Assistant, or even a class video to normalize movement for everyone. 
• Rest Options – a cozy chair or quiet space in the office where your child can reset before returning to learning. 
• Use of Timers/Reminders – setting gentle reminders to take a stretch or hydration break. 
• Incorporating Movement Into Learning – activities like standing for presentations, walking during reading, or using fidget tools.
• Teacher Check-Ins – Creating a subtle teacher/student signal when they need a short break, like a break card, or hand gesture.

Our School Toolkit resources provide practical strategies to include these supports in your child’s learning plan. And if you’re looking for more guidance, join us at one of our upcoming events, where parents and educators share how they’ve worked together to build rest and movement into the school day.

Small adjustments like these can go a long way in supporting your child’s energy, confidence, and overall school success.

Create a Comfortable School Set-Up

Sometimes it’s the small adjustments that make the biggest difference in how a child experiences their school day. From the weight of their backpack to the way they sit in class, providing the right tools and set-up can ease discomfort, reduce fatigue, and help your child stay engaged in
learning.    

• Backpacks – should weigh no more than 10-20% of your child’s body weight to avoid strain on joints.  (discussed at the 22-minute mark of our Gearing Up for Back to School Webinar)
• Simple tools for the classroom – a slant board for writing, pencil grips or mechanical pencils, a heating pad, a wrist brace
• Flexible seating options – a supportive chair rather than floor seating or “criss-cross applesauce” in primary grades 
• Technology – Dictation software, laptops, or tablets can ease the strain of long writing tasks. 
• Water Bottles – A sturdy, easy-to-open water bottle helps children with rheumatic diseases stay hydrated throughout the day without added pain or frustration, giving them one less barrier to their learning. Look for a water bottle with grips around the top for easy refills throughout the day!
• For kids managing uveitis – accommodations such as sunglasses outside, seating with light behind them, larger print, or frequent breaks can make a big difference. 
• Sunscreen is important – Reapplying sunscreen before recesses (every 2 hours) to maintain effective protection is key to your child’s sun safety. Choosing the right sunscreen, a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, can help for medications and diseases that make children more sensitive to the sun.
• Extra time for exams or assignments may also be necessary.

Pacing is another key part of creating a good setup. Mornings can be particularly challenging for many kids with arthritis due to stiffness and fatigue, so collaborating with teachers on timing and expectations can go a long way.

Every child is different, but with the right tools, accommodations, and planning, you can create an environment where your child feels supported, comfortable, and ready to learn.

Prioritize Mental Well-Being – Your Child’s and Your Own!

Starting a new school year can be a lot for kids with juvenile arthritis—not just physically, but emotionally. Between new classes, new teachers, and navigating their condition, it’s normal for them to feel anxious, stressed, or frustrated. With recent Canadian-led research showing that up to 40% of youth with rheumatic diseases will experience mental health struggles like anxiety, depression, and panic disorder, prioritizing your child’s mental well-being is just as important as managing their physical symptoms.

Support for your child/teen

A great first step is simply encouraging open communication. Create a space where your child feels safe talking about how they’re feeling, whether it’s sadness, anger, or fear. Ask open-ended questions and listen without judgment. Sometimes, a child’s pain or fatigue can be linked to emotional stress, so helping them express themselves can have a ripple effect on their physical health.

In addition to open communication at home, there are many avenues for support. School-based support, such as a guidance counselor, can provide an important outlet for your child to talk about their feelings and challenges. Their care team—including a psychologist, social worker, or occupational therapist—can also provide valuable strategies and support. For peer support, our Youth Mentorship Program (YMP) helps kids with rheumatic diseases connect with others who have similar experiences, showing them they’re not alone and building their confidence.

Support for you

Parents and caregivers also need support. Taking time for self-care is crucial, as is connecting with other parents who understand the unique challenges of raising a child with JA. Connecting with peers through connection, like our Juvenile Arthritis Canada online support group, can be a great way to share experiences and find solidarity.

Remember, a child’s emotional health is a key part of their overall well-being. By supporting their feelings and connecting them with others who understand, you’re giving them the tools they need to feel confident and ready to shine in the classroom and beyond.

You’re Not Alone

Starting the school year can feel daunting, but with the right supports, your child can thrive – and so can you!

Don’t forget to check out our Back-to-School Events, tips for parents, kids, and educators, and explore all of our resources at cassieandfriends.ca/schooltoolkit.

Together, we can make school a place where kids with rheumatic diseases feel included, supported, and ready to shine.