Allergies,asthma and time off from school.

[pinkichiban]

My dd 6yrs is allergic to tree nuts and many food colourings. She also has been newly diagnosed with asthma and has mild eczema. She has required alot of time off from school and I have been informed that I am being 'reported' for allowing my child to be overly absent. WTF? I have never kept my daughter home unless she is sick. I have never taken her away on holiday etc. I can't stop crying. I don't know what to do. I'm stressed enough already, this feels like the straw that broke the camels back. Please any advice would be most gratefully received.

Once her asthma is under control she shouldn't need any time off school.

Ask to make an appointment with the school and the school nurse to discuss your daughter - if you and the health professionals can reassure school that her asthma is now being dealt with and her absences will cease, they can see that you are making an effort to improve her attendance.

I have discussed things with the school. Her asthma has not kept her off in particular, more the allergies along with a viral illness. I have taken her to GP's who even questioned me 'You are not sending her in are you?' when I took my daughter to an appointment wearing a school dress (she was not going to school, she likes the dress). I don't feel that I can discuss this any further. Being 'reported' has shattered my trust.

You weren't 'told' through a 'standard letter' were you?

My son had lots of time of last year for eye appointments & surgery and I was sent a letter telling me my son had been reported to the local authority because he had a less than 85% attendance record and asking me to come in and discuss ways in which we could better his attendance!

I was angry, as the letter implied we weren't taking his education seriously enough. I was straight on the phone to argue that all absences were due to medical reasons, only to be told that it was just a standard letter that is sent out when your child has missed 'x' amount of school for whatever reasons, and not to worry about it!

It was an incredibly badly worded letter though.

we had this problem with our son at senior school. I got his immunologist to write a letter to the school and had a meeting with them and explained, in detail the health problems he had . I keep a note of each day missed and why.
He had a lot of time of school in one term, broken foot , with extra problems(allergic to the plaster and resulting skin infection!) , chest infection , ear infection, and a severe allergic reaction all one after the other.

kids with multiple food and enviromental allergies do have more time off school, and if they have rhinitis, get lower exam grades.

Thank you for the replies. I am awaiting the 'letter'. I wish the school would have a greater understanding of how stressful it is dealing with an unwell child. I never know when a 'new' allergy will raise it's ugly head. She catches every virus and bug going round. The headteacher seemed to doubt that we were doing enough and wanted to send a letter to my GP to 'hurry things along'. I have an excellent relationship with the GP's and am horrified that the so called head would involve herself in such a rude and intrusive manner. I feel as though she is saying I am not doing enough. Upset, angry and frustrated. Trying to keep perspective, but fear I am failing.

Try not to take it too personally, remember that the schools get their knuckles rapped for poor attendance and so will do their utmost to have all children in school 100% of the time.

Many parents do keep their children off unnecessarily, claiming illness when there may be none or exaggerating the extent of an episode - whilst it seems unfair that you have been lumped in with them do try and keep calm and work with the school. Involving the GP isn't a bad idea, a single letter confirming the extent of your DDs health problems could be valuable.