School Challenges and Support During and After Treatment

A health condition, serious illness, or treatment can bring challenges that affect learning, attendance, or daily life at school. Some challenges happen during treatment. Others happen months or years later.

Every person's experience is different. Your health care team can help you understand how your health condition or treatment may affect school.

If school feels different than it did before, you are not alone. Many students need extra support while managing their health. With the right support, you can keep learning and reach your goals.

Boy looking frustrated while studying — Managing school after a serious illness or while managing a health condition is not always easy. You do not have to do it alone - the right support can make a big difference.

Why school may feel more challenging

School may feel more challenging for many reasons. Depending on your health condition and treatment, you may miss school because of:

Appointments
Hospital stays
Recovery
Ongoing health care

You may feel tired or have less energy. You may also notice:

Changes in attention, memory, or focus
Trouble keeping up with schoolwork
Vision changes or hearing loss
Physical changes that affect writing, mobility, or other school activities
Emotional changes, including stress and anxiety

These changes can make it harder to:

Stay organized and plan ahead
Solve problems
Process information quickly
Read, write, spell, and learn new words
Do math
Build friendships

What help is available

Resources are available to help you attend and manage school. Depending on your needs, your school may offer accommodations and school support services.

School accommodations

Accommodations are changes or support that help you take part in school and show what you know. They help you learn, do your schoolwork, and take part in activities. School accommodations may include:

Classroom accommodations for children and teens, including a Section 504 Plan and an Individualized Education Program (IEP)
Homebound school services
College classroom accommodations

Other support may include:

Tutoring
Counseling or mental health support
Check-ins with teachers, coaches, and staff
College planning
Career planning

Support in high school and college

Support is available in high school and college. The way you get support may be different.

In high school:

Parents or caregivers often ask for accommodations and support.
School staff work with your family to provide support.

In college:

You will usually ask for accommodations and support.
Most colleges have a disability services office that can help.

How to ask for help with school challenges

As you get older, you will take a bigger role in asking for help at school. You can ask your health care team, school counselor, teachers, or college disability services office to guide and support you.

You do not have to share every detail about your health condition. Instead, be ready to explain:

The challenges you have
How they affect school
What accommodations have helped you in the past

If your needs change, ask about updating your accommodations.

Key points about school challenges and support

School challenges can affect learning, attendance, or daily life at school during or after a health condition, serious illness, or treatment.
School challenges may make reading, writing, math, and other school tasks harder.
Depending on your needs, you may get support in the classroom, homebound instruction, or accommodations in college.
Support is available in both high school and college.
As you get older, you will take a bigger role in asking for help at school.
If your needs change, talk with your health care team and school about updating your accommodations or support plan.

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Reviewed: September 2026