The Rise in Childhood Chronic Illness: Impacts on Education

On March 6 I’ll be in San Antonio presenting at the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development conference. My colleagues Ann Fantauzzi, Paula Leitz and I will be talking about ways to educate students with chronic illnesses, as we did a couple of weeks at the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education in Atlanta.

As more students come to school with chronic conditions like diabetes, asthma, autism, and autoimmune diseases, as well as diseases precipitated by the rise in childhood obesity, this issue will grow in importance. A recent study in JAMA reported that chronic illness in young children — ages 2 to 8 — doubled in just 12 years, to 1 in 4 children in 2006, up from 1 in 8 in 1994. Students with chronic conditions are at higher risk for school absenteeism and drop-out. In addition, dropouts are more likely to suffer from illness or disability in adulthood.

Clearly, chronic illness has serious impacts on schools, teachers, families and students, as well as our nation. It’s crucial that we find solutions to the problem of chronic illness and student absenteeism and dropout.

For more information about the rise in childhood chronic illness, see:

New York Times

WebMD

An Interview on Long-Term Trauma and Crime

On December 11, David Kaczynski, Gary Wright and I were guests on the popular and respected “Alan Chartock… In Conversation With” program on Northeast Public Radio.

We talked broadly with Alan about long-term trauma, particularly the mental and physical health symptoms often experienced by people involved with a crime. We discussed how crucial it is for those impacted by violence — including victims, offenders, their children, partners and families, as well as law-enforcement and other professionals who work with crime victims and offenders – to heal from the loss and trauma they experienced so that they can go on to live full lives.

We also talked specifically about the experiences of David, brother of Unabomber Ted Kaczynski, and Gary, one of Ted’s surviving victims. In 1996, David and his wife, Linda, made the difficult decision to approach the FBI with their suspicions that David’s brother might be involved in a series of bombings that caused three deaths and numerous injuries over 17 years. David and Gary have forged a close bond through the experience of working to recover from their individual traumas, a friendship that has enriched both of their lives.

The interview has recently been posted on the WAMC/Northeast Public Radio Web site, and I hope you’ll take the opportunity to listen and let me know what you think.

Alan Chartock… In Conversation with David Kaczynski, Gary Wright and Patricia Fennell, 12/11/09