Narcolepsy usually begins just before or during the teen years and can impact a child’s school performance, teachers’ perceptions of the child, and the child's interactions with peers. School can be frustrating when narcolepsy makes it hard to stay alert in class and focus during tests. Show
Teens with narcolepsy often have to work hard to establish and maintain a schedule that works well for them during their high school years. Such planning requires self-discipline. It also requires understanding from those in his or her life. Despite the challenges, academic success—as well as good social and emotional development in school—is achievable once appropriate strategies are identified and implemented. In fact, students with narcolepsy obtain college degrees just as often as the general population.1 Identifying issues
The first indicators of trouble related to narcolepsy can be difficulty completing homework or even falling grades. These may show that a student is experiencing excessive daytime sleepiness that makes it difficult to sustain attention for long periods. Teachers often are in the best position to rate a child’s alertness and can help parents get a better understanding of their child’s school experience. However, teachers may notice a child dozing off but assume the child is uninterested or simply needs more sleep. Likewise, many children may not fully appreciate how their sleepiness affects their school performance. Therefore, it is important for parents to maintain an active dialogue with their child and their child’s teachers, school nurses, and others to assess the extent of daytime sleepiness. This dialogue should continue both before and after diagnosis. Working with schools As most people are unfamiliar with or have misconceptions about narcolepsy, teachers and others may benefit from learning more about the disorder. This is especially important if symptoms are still problematic even after medications are optimized and the child is getting enough sleep. Download Understanding Narcolepsy in School Settings (PDF) for more information on narcolepsy and how it may impact academic success, and share it, and this website, with school staff. Finding Support (0:24) Narcolepsy educator Lisa Rezza explains school support resources available to students and their families. A note from a child’s doctor describing how narcolepsy affects the child’s academic performance is often helpful. In addition, the doctor can specify how medications should be taken during school, and, if needed, may recommend that a student be permitted to nap during school in the nurse’s office or elsewhere. Check in periodically with the school nurse to ensure that his or her office has the most up-to-date list of any medications that should be taken during school hours. Ask the school nurse and others in contact with the child if they can provide updates when they notice changes in the child's behavior. Passing this information along to the child's doctor can help the provider refine treatment plans. Special education plans
For more information on these two types of plans, see the National Center for Learning Disabilities “Section 504 and IDEA Comparison Chart” web page. Improving alertness Here are some strategies:
Napping (0:34) Patient Audrey Cross comments on the benefits of taking a nap at school.
Download a printable version of Tips for Teens with Narcolepsy: Improving Alertness (PDF) to hand out to teachers, nurses, and school administrators to help them better understand what can be done to increase your alertness. References
What is the most common complaint by patients who have narcolepsy?Most often, narcoleptics present with the primary complaint of falling asleep at inappropriate times. It is also possible for narcoleptics to experience insomnia or uncontrollable muscle weakness.
What is the best initial treatment plan for a sleep disorder?Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) can help you control or eliminate negative thoughts and actions that keep you awake and is generally recommended as the first line of treatment for people with insomnia. Typically, CBT-I is equally or more effective than sleep medications.
Which action would the nurse take for a patient who is diagnosed with fatigue?Aid the patient with developing a schedule for daily activity and rest. Emphasize the importance of frequent rest periods. A plan that balances periods of activity with periods of rest can aid the patient complete preferred activities without contributing to levels of fatigue.
Which class of drugs does the nurse anticipate administering to a patient with narcolepsy to prevent sleep attacks?Sodium oxybate (also known as gamma hydroxybutyrate or GHB) has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat cataplexy and excessive daytime sleepiness in individuals with narcolepsy. It is a strong sedative that must be taken twice a night.
|