School and College
This site is intended for healthcare professionals as a useful source of information on the diagnosis, treatment and support of patients with lupus and related connective tissue diseases.
It is important that your school or college are aware you have lupus. They may not have had a pupil with lupus before, so don't be surprised if you know more about it than them. Your teacher may find this booklet helpful, or LUPUS UK can provide them with information.
It may be that a member of the lupus team (e.g. nurse specialist, psychologist) can liaise with your school to ensure they understand how lupus affects you. They can help your school to identify steps they can take to support you to do your work and get around school more easily e.g. access to a lift pass, access to a quiet room should you need a rest etc. The 'health passport' form at the end of this leaflet (hard copy only) can be useful in helping you to think about how lupus affects you and what support you might need from school. It may be that the nurse specialist/psychologist can help you complete the form and share it with a key staff member at school such as your head of year or form tutor.
It may be that a member of the lupus team (e.g. nurse specialist, psychologist) can liaise with your school to ensure they understand how lupus affects you. They can help your school to identify steps they can take to support you to do your work and get around school more easily e.g. access to a lift pass, access to a quiet room should you need a rest etc. The 'health passport' form at the end of this leaflet (hard copy only) can be useful in helping you to think about how lupus affects you and what support you might need from school. It may be that the nurse specialist/psychologist can help you complete the form and share it with a key staff member at school such as your head of year or form tutor.
Will I have to miss a lot of school/college?
Unfortunately most clinics are in school time but your doctor will try to make your appointment time as convenient as possible. When you are first diagnosed, you will be coming to the clinic fairly frequently but as you get better the frequency will reduce.
Absence from school/college may be a problem early on in your lupus. You may need to go back part time at first but it will not take long before you feel well enough to attend school full time. You may feel unable to take part in physical education on a regular basis. This too is temporary and we encourage you to get back to sports and activities as soon as you feel able.
Absence from school/college may be a problem early on in your lupus. You may need to go back part time at first but it will not take long before you feel well enough to attend school full time. You may feel unable to take part in physical education on a regular basis. This too is temporary and we encourage you to get back to sports and activities as soon as you feel able.
Help from school/college
Schools can help a lot with making it easier for you to join in normally, so chat to them about your concerns. When you are not well this may mean focussing on core subjects, a reduced workload, time to catch up or rest, and extra time to get to classes. You may need to go back to school gradually and not do everything all at once. Do talk to your medical team and teachers if any of these areas are difficult for you - they are very important. With your permission your nurse or doctor can write to your school/college and provide written information about lupus.
Lots and lots of young people with lupus have gone on from school to university/college and have very successful jobs.
Lots and lots of young people with lupus have gone on from school to university/college and have very successful jobs.
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