Providing medical advice to support children with special educational needs

The academic and social lives of children in school can be significantly affected by their Health needs. This article discusses the ways in which paediatricians can work with education services to support children and young people with Special Educational needs. Paediatricians may be involved in directly advising schools, writing formal advice for education departments and joining in relevant planned reviews. Partnership with parents and the involvement of children and young people themselves is vital. Advice should cover all areas of the child’s health relevant to the child’s success and integration in school and should always be understandable to both the education staff and the family.