School Accommodations for JDM or JPM

Many students with Juvenile Dermatomyositis or Juvenile Polymositis need some special accommodations at school. And although each student is different, here is a list of some common accommodations that other Cure JM families have found helpful in the past.

For Chronic Illness/Fatigue:

• Extended time for tests

• Alternate time for tests

• Alternate place for tests

• Reduced workload

• Shared notes

• Modified Assignments

• Extra breaks

• “Self-limit” PE

Medical Accommodations:

• Water bottle/snacks allowed

• Sun protection (hat, sunblock, etc)

• Seat away from windows

• Movement and rest breaks, allowed as needed

• Extra Restroom Breaks, allowed as needed

• Physical therapy or occupational therapy in school (as eligible)

Muscle Pain & Weakness:

• Space to rest in the classroom, such as a beanbag in the back of the class
• Elevator Pass
• Wheeled Backpack
• 2nd set of books (one for at home)
• Oral testing / minimal writing
• Not graded on handwriting, larger space to write, or computer if easier
• Alternate testing
• Dictated homework
• Adaptive technology
• Preferential Scheduling to reduce walking
• Spare textbook kept in classroom
• Locker placement near classes

For Immunosuppression:

• Alternate rest area in cold/flu season (so not resting in Nurse’ Suite)

• IHP & Medicine Authorizations, as needed

• Excused absences

• Notification from the nurses office when certain illnesses are “going around” (such as flu, chicken pox, etc.)

• Permission to carry own water bottle and/or sanitizer

• Access to handwashing in the classroom

To Assist with Concentration/ Organization:

• Preferential Seating

• “Home-work” Buddy

• Smaller quizzes instead of larger tests

• Oral assessment

• Shared notes

• Advance notice of field trips

This isn’t a comprehensive list, but we hope that it can be a good conversation starter for your family and your school. For more information, visit www.curejm.org.