Long Covid in CYP

Posts: 0

Anonymous

Aug 24, 2021 4:29 pm

(@Anonymous)

Joined: 1 second ago

[#946]

Hi

I am starting to receive referrals for young people with long Covid as they are really struggling to get back into school. I believe that there are already many school age CYP with a range of symptoms but most significantly, chronic fatigue. Are you taking these students onto caselist and do we need to be making a case for something like Oak Academy to be continued to help meet their needs? I understand that lots of schools have now really got on top of their on-line teaching but the pace is going to be far too quick for these young people. Your thoughts on how we support these long Covid sufferers so that they are not further disadvantaged would be most welcome

many thanks, Julie

2 Replies

Posts: 105

Jo Lambert

Sep 01, 2021 10:58 am

(@jo-lambertessex-gov-uk)

Estimable Member

Joined: 8 years ago

Hi Julie, I have had a couple of referrals come our way but our stance is the same as it is with any other condition really - before accepting the referral, we would want information as to how the condition is impacting on the CYP to help us understand how/whether a PNI specialist teacher could add anything extra to what is already being done for the child. I think our first line would be to check what reasonable adjustments the setting is putting in place and only take the child onto caseload if they require something really specialist. Our Education Access team may become involved if there are significant attendance issues and/or the child would benefit from something like an AV1 robot. Hope that makes sense? I'd be interested to hear what others are doing too.

Reply

Posts: 12

Joanne Teager

Nov 01, 2021 9:25 am

(@joannebackuptrust-org-uk)

Eminent Member

Joined: 8 years ago

Hi there, this is a good resource which was recommended to me by health professionals we work with: https://www.longcovidkids.org/

Many hospitals now are setting up clinics for CYP with long covid. They are finding there are a number of symptoms so CYP are going to all sorts of departments - eg rheumatolgy or respiratory - before they are diagnosed with long covid. they are getting passed around alot so hopefully these long covid clinincs specialising will help.

Also this organisation Action for ME - focuses on ME/ CHronic fatigue syndrome looks like a great resource and offers ideas how to support CYP with chronic fatigue.

Lots of support and learning how to manage energy levels and fatigue is crucial for the child to adapt to living with CFS. Very challenging. When do they work best ,when is there concentration at best?- eg afternoons? What takes their energy?

Personalised timetables, 1:1 support, notes from lessons given in advance or recorded - as note taking can cause alot of fatigue. Using a laptop instead of writing. And managing social life outsdie of school etc. Also compassion, understanding and awareness needed for staff and peers. Alot of managing Chronic Fatigue - is stigma, and other people's opinions on it and people not believing peopel with CFS. So mental health support may also be needed to adjusting to life with a new medical condition.

Reply