Can I Still Go To School If I Have Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)?

Because school-age children and young adults are the ones who are often diagnosed with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, these diseases can potentially interfere with getting an education.

 

Let your teachers know that you have IBD and explain the symptoms so they understand that you may be absent from school because of flares and doctor appointments. Teachers can accommodate students who may need to be excused during class to go to the bathroom or during an exam. If you need to be away from school for a prolonged period of time, for hospitalization or surgery, you may be able to arrange for assignments to be brought to you by friends or classmates. Some hospitals provide Internet access for patients who want to keep up on their studies. Some schools use the Internet extensively to post assignments and to provide a forum for feedback from teachers.

 

However, when you are sick and in hospital, you may not feel up to working or reading. Your ability to concentrate may be reduced. If you happen to be away from school for many weeks at a time and have not been able to keep up with work from home or hospital, you may require additional help from the teachers or tutors in order to catch up. In post-secondary education, because of the intensive nature of the workload and the relatively short semesters, catching up may not always be possible. In some instances, you may need to take a leave or drop some courses and make them up the following term. You can ask your doctor to write a supporting letter. Although it may take you longer to complete your degree or diploma requirements, you will be less stressed and get more rest.

 

A minority of students have symptoms that are severe enough or persistent enough to cause them to have to change their educational objectives. It is the unpredictability of the disease that causes IBD patients to change their school plans. Frequent disease flares in people with more severe disease can require relatively long absences from school, which can, in turn, have a negative effect on grades.