Teaching pupils with Brittle Bone Disease

  • It is important to realise that fractures can be caused by normal behaviour such as shutting a door; teachers will not be held responsible if such a fracture happens in school.
  • A child with this condition may have to spend a lot of time in hospital so it is important to try to provide continuity in education; if possible, liase with parents and other carers and provide work which is being missed.
  • It may be necessary to experiment with different types of pen and paper etc. as children are likely to have had many fractures in their hands.  The majority are left-handed due to frequency of fractures in the right hand.
  • Teachers should consult with the occupational therapist with regard to type of seating and desks for the child.
  • As handwriting is likely to be slow and poorly formed, handouts of notes would be helpful.
  • A computer keyboard is likely to be helpful.
  • Swimming is good but most other forms of P.E. are not; consult with parents and medical personnel.
  • If a child with brittle bones is mobile, e.g. on crutches, arrangements will need to be made so that he/she will not be knocked or bumped into.  For example, he/she or she may wait until others have cleared the corridor before he/she returns to the classroom.