Children and teens undergoing cancer treatment may experience challenges that may impact their learning skills and understanding. There are resources parents can use to help their child adjust to their learning environment and be prepared for classroom instruction.

What helps when faced with these challenges?

Educational plans such as a 504 Plan or Individualized Education Program (IEP).

A 504 Plan can help the school provide support and accommodations for a student that is experiencing a challenge or a disability related to their medical diagnosis and treatment. This is a general plan that changes the child’s learning setting so that their educational needs in the general classroom are met. 504 Plan Accommodations can include shortened assignments, extended assignment time, scheduled rest times, and use of headphones during class instruction.

An Individualized Education Program (IEP), creates an opportunity for parents to develop a plan to ensure that a child meets their learning needs by allowing them to have access to special education services unique to them to provide them with additional help. This also gives a student access to additional services at school to meet their needs. IEP Accommodations can include testing with minimal distractions, extending time for testing and assignments, allowing typed or recorded audio responses to classwork, allowing access to restrooms throughout the day, access to recorded lecture videos and audio.

Ask these questions to decide what accommodations and modifications are appropriate for a child:

  • Can the child participate in activities the same way as their peers?
  • Can the child participate better in activities with materials that are adapted for them?
  • Can the child participate better in activities with expectations that are adapted for them?
  • Can the child accomplish the goals of the lesson by working with a partner or in a small group?
  • Can the child do the activity with direct adult assistance?
  • Can the child do a different activity alongside the main activity in the lesson?
Venn diagram comparing 504 Plans and IEP Plans. IEP: Required by IDEA (an education law), provides specialized instruction, focuses on what the student is learning, states recieve additional funding for elegible students, and person needs to have one or more of 13 listed disabilities. 504: Required because of Rehabilitation Act (a civil rights law), provides accommodations, focuses on how the student is learning, states do not recieve additional funding, and person has any disability. Both: Parents must consent to have their child evaluated, no cost to parents, and works to meet the needs of the person receiving the plan.
Image Source: Well College Advising, "IEP AND 504 PLANS: DIFFERENCES AND SIMILARITIES"

Resources

Use the Parent 504 Plan Letter as a template when requesting a meeting to develop and implement a 504 Plan. Send this to the teacher and guidance counselor. You may also choose to include administration (principal/assistant principal), instructional coach, nurse, and/or special education coordinator.

Learn about IEP Accommodations including who can receive IEP accommodations, common categories of IEP accommodations, and how these can be useful to a student.

View examples of 504 Plan Accommodations and Modifications for children who can receive support services from their school under their 504 Plan.

Learn about the differences between IEPs and 504 plans used for K-12 students using this table.

Find common Accommodations for IEPs and 504 plans using this list.

Partnership Between Parents and Schools

It is important that contact is maintained between parents and school administrators, teachers, and nurses at a child’s school so that they are informed of any changes or challenges that their child may experience. This partnership and communication with the school will help make sure the child has a good educational experience following their return to school.

Individual Health Plan

An Individual Health Plan is used by the school to document a student’s health needs while they are at school. These plans address the child’s diagnosis, medications that may need to be given while they are attending school, plans to address medical procedures that need to occur at school, and accommodations needed for the child’s medical condition.

Educating Classmates and Educators of Students with Cancer

This type of education is used to help a student feel welcomed when they return to school by helping their classmates and the staff working with them understand why they are experiencing changes and why they need accommodations.

Transition Goals

Creating a set of goals following a student’s diagnosis and transition into school can help identify the areas they can get help in to achieve their goals and how the school can help with this.

Networking with local and state agencies, non-profit organizations, and businesses in the community

There are numerous organizations that can help assist children through their cancer diagnosis and provide support for their family as they transition into school.

Resources

Find organizations and support services for children and teens diagnosed with cancer using the Pediatric Cancer Resource Guide from the South Carolina Cancer Alliance.

Find organizations and support services for children and teens diagnosed with cancer using the Pediatric Cancer Resource Guide from the South Carolina Cancer Alliance.

[1] Miller, Lara. “IEP Accommodations: What You Should Know.” Education Advanced. Last modified January 31, 2023. https://educationadvanced.com/resources/blog/iep-accommodations-what-you-should-know/.

[2] Alma, Morgan. “Childhood Cancer Education Toolkit Parent Section.” ASK Childhood Cancer Foundation. Accessed December 5, 2023. https://www.askccf.org/_files/ugd/44e813_74672b9bfdf64b0d95f339b5cbf2829e.pdf.

[3] Kessler, Eve. “Examples of Accommodations & Modifications.” Smart Kids with Learning Disabilities. Accessed December 13, 2023. https://www.smartkidswithld.org/getting-help/the-abcs-of-ieps/examples-of-accommodations-modifications/.

[4] “IEPs and 504 plans.” Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. Accessed December 13, 2023. https://www.choa.org/-/media/Files/Childrens/patients/school-program/iep-504-resource-page.pdf?la=en&hash=BF719764C11B474F8659306C061E00FD938CE5D0#:~:text=An%20IEP%20gives%20special%20education,the%20needs%20of%20each%20child.

[5] Kessler, Eve and Michele Schneider. “IEP Planning: Accommodations & Modifications.” Smart Kids with Learning Disabilities. Accessed December 13, 2023. https://www.smartkidswithld.org/getting-help/the-abcs-of-ieps/iep-planning-accommodations-modifications/#:~:text=Common%20examples%20of%20accommodations%20include,reduced%20number%20of%20test%20questions.

[6] “List of Accommodations for IEPs and 504s.” Undivided. Last Modified December 8, 2023. https://undivided.io/resources/list-of-accommodations-for-ieps-and-504s-210.

[7] “Where to Put Toileting Help in an IEP.” The Intentional IEP. Accessed December 13, 2023. https://www.theintentionaliep.com/toileting-help-iep/#:~:text=Toileting%20help%20should%20be%20included%20in%20a%20student's%20IEP%20to,strategies%20tailored%20specifically%20for%20them.

[8] Bateman, David. “504 Accommodations Guide.” Pennsylvania State Education Association. Accessed December 13, 2023. https://www.psea.org/contentassets/ac6695903bd94d27aa14e85c3a12d90e/504-accommodations-guide.pdf

[9] “IEP and 504 Plans.” Family Connection South Carolina. Accessed December 13, 2023. https://www.familyconnectionsc.org/education/iep-504-plans/#:~:text=Individualized%20Education%20Program&text=Other%20students%20qualify%20for%20a,access%20to%20the%20learning%20environment.