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Supporting Students with Disabilities

Chronic Health Conditions
Definition

A see-through pill bottle, on its side with no cap, white pills inside, and a blue tablet on the rim awaiting pickup.

Learning Objectives

This module will help you to:

  1. Explain the effects of chronic health conditions on learning in the classroom.
  2. Understand the types of accommodations or other support that can help meet the educational needs of students with chronic health conditions.
  3. Know how to support a student with chronic health conditions.

Definition

The term chronic health condition is used to refer to any health condition, disorder, disability, illness, or syndrome that is experienced over an extended period of time, and is not considered temporary in nature. Chronic diseases “usually develop slowly, last a long time, and are often progressive and incurable. For many chronic diseases, there is no cure.” 2

Common chronic health conditions may include, but are not limited to conditions such as asthma, cancer, colitis, Crohn’s disease, diabetes, epilepsy, fibromyalgia, HIV/AIDS, and traumatic brain injury/postconcussive syndrome.

  • 2. Vancouver Island Health Authority (2013).
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