How long does it take for a child to adjust to treatment?
After many weeks, months, and even years you might find that the end of treatment is both exciting and little scary. It's important for your child and loved ones to know that it can take time to adjust to being done with treatment.
What to expect after treatment for children?
For some children the first few months and years after treatment are a time of catching up with peers. As much as possible they will find security in routines and knowing what to expect day to day. Here are some tips for things you can do to support child development and create routines for children of different ages:
What are some ways to help children with cancer?
Some services that can help children when they need help meeting developmental milestones include: physical therapy, occupational therapy, or speech therapy. Talk to your cancer care team about any concerns you have about development and ask for a referral for this kind of evaluation.
What is the reaction of a child to treatment?
Your child's reaction to being done with treatment usually depends on their age, personality, type of treatment received, and other factors. The most important thing is for them to grow and develop the same way they would if they had never had cancer.
Why are consistent limits important for toddlers?
Consistent limits and rules help toddlers and preschoolers feel more secure . Caregivers can be clear with the child about what the rules and limits are so they know what to expect.
What does it mean to develop skills after cancer treatment?
Developing or advancing skills build self-esteem and a sense of accomplishment. Usually enjoy forming relationships with other children and enjoy being part of programs for kids with cancer, even after treatment ends. Might be more afraid about treatment ending and worry about it.
What happens when a child returns to school after cancer treatment?
Once your child returns to school, you might find that not everything goes as planned.Going through cancer treatment was a big change. It is not unusual for your child toneed more support emotionally or academically. You might find there are new physicalchanges that cause problems, or that the emotional adjustment is a challenge. Sometreatments can also affect how children learn and think. Be sure to ask your child everyweek or so about any concerns they are having after returning to school. Some mightneed to be addressed quickly, especially if your child is feeling upset about them. Otherchanges due to cancer treatment may surface later. For more information, seeLate
How does cancer affect school?
Most children adjust well to school after cancer treatment. But cancer and its treatmentscan cause emotional and cognitive (ability to think and reason) changes, which canaffect your child at school. You can help your child by watching for problems, so theycan be dealt with as soon as possible, before they become hard to manage. Somechanges after treatment that affect learning can last a few months, others may lastlonger. Children can experience something called chemo brain that can make is hard tofocus, complete tasks or remember things. Some treatments have long-term effects onlearning, so it is important to get help as soon as problems with schoolwork come up.
Can a child go back to school after cancer?
Many children are able to continue their educationduring treatment and then will go back to school full-time at the end of treatment. See