An important but often overlooked member of a student's health care team is the teacher. This text covers ways to help teachers and administrators understand the special needs of students suffering from a chronic illness, how to recognize health events that may interfere with learning, and suggestions for appropriate interventions. The book opens with an overview of the classroom environment and a synopsis of the social, psychological, and physical needs of chronically ill students. Responsibilities of teachers, administrators, and parents are also detailed here. Chapters 2 through 9 include information about eight chronic illnesses frequently encountered by teachers: Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, AIDS and HIV Infection, juvenile arthritis, asthma, cancer, cystic fibrosis, diabetes Mellitus, epilepsy, or seizure disorders, and sickle cell disease. Each chapter explains the disease, its treatment and effects, management procedures, and how to recognize when teacher intervention is required. Chapter 10 provides sources of additional information about chronic illness and suggestions about how educators can better prepare themselves for meeting the needs of students who have these illnesses. A list of sources for further information about these and other chronic illnesses affecting the young is also presented. (RJM)