Back to school
Getting through the school year with psoriasis
From September/October 2006 Psoriasis Advance
The back-to-school season can present challenges and concerns for young people, whether they are in grade school, high school or college. But for students with psoriasis, starting a new school year may be more complicated than just having the right school supplies and new
clothes. Students with psoriasis may be embarrassed about their psoriasis showing. They may be worried about staring or teasing from other students. Or they may have challenges fitting treatment into their busy school day.
Parents can help their children get the school year off to a good start by educating their children about psoriasis, discussing concerns, and sharing information with teachers and other school staff. Here's how some parents and students deal with the school year.
Talking about the disease
Andrea Garza is preparing for the time that her 7-year-old son, Gabe, may have to talk about his psoriasis at school. In past years, his psoriasis was relatively mild. However, in the spring of 2006, the psoriasis on his palms and soles worsened and began cracking and bleeding. In preparation for second grade this fall, Gabe has used light treatment throughout the summer in an attempt to get his psoriasis under control.
Andrea recognizes the importance of talking to her son about his psoriasis. "If he's not concerned, I don't want to push the issue and give him something to be concerned about," says Andrea. "But, I also don't want to ignore it and leave him unprepared for the possibilities. I have been talking to him a lot about his disease: what it is, what it does and why he has it."
Don't hide behind your skin
Jessica (Jessie) Gagarin was 6 years old when psoriasis first appeared on her abdomen. She later developed 95 percent body coverage of inverse and guttate psoriasis. Now Jessie is 10 years old and her mother, Marielle, remains committed to not letting psoriasis slow her daughter down. "Jessie does not hide her psoriasis and is actually proud of the fact
that she can show her psoriasis without having issues with people," says Marielle.
|
Helping your child through the school year
| |
 | Prepare your child with the facts about psoriasis. Reassuring your child and his or her classmates that psoriasis is not contagious and can't be "caught" may help your child feel more comfortable in social situations. |
| | Encourage your child to talk about how it feels to have psoriasis so that classmates will have a better understanding of the disease. |
| | Talk with your child's teacher and other important adults at school (i.e., coaches, principal, school nurse, etc.). If they hear a comment being made, misinformation being shared, or notice teasing, they can be your child's advocate by providing accurate information to support your child. |
| | Recognize that as children get older, the questions they have about their psoriasis will be more advanced, and their feelings about their disease may change. Provide them with
ongoing, age-appropriate education about their disease. |
| | Factor in the school schedule when choosing a treatment regimen. Is it possible to do the treatment after school? If not, will leaving for treatment affect grades, or attendance, or cause your child to miss too much class content? It's important to develop a good rapport with a dermatologist who will work with you and your child to create a treatment regimen that will treat the disease and not be a burden on the child or school. |
Marielle and Jessie talk about her disease and how everyone is different in their own way—Jessie just happens to be different because she has psoriasis. "I know that
I don't have psoriasis, so I could not possibly understand all that she is going through, but I am going to be one strong supporter for my daughter," Marielle says.
An older student with psoriasis
As a 21-year-old college student with psoriasis, David Vartanian's experience in college differed from what he experienced in high school, when he was diagnosed. "Going to school with adults, you tend not to have anyone ask about personal things. College is different from high school and grade school, where you attend with your same friends
year after year," says David.
On the other hand, it can be difficult to manage stares from strangers. David notes that after entering college, he is more inclined to cover his psoriasis if it's noticeable. "If my condition is more visible to strangers, I know I am subconsciously thinking about it. I may choose clothes that cover it up more: long pants, long sleeves or a hat," says David.
The school year can present challenges for the student with psoriasis, but preparation
and communication can pave the way for a smooth school year.
|
