Children with Health Impairments in Schools

Chronic illnesses are defined as conditions that last at least three months, require extensive hospitalization or in-home health services, or at the time of diagnosis are likely to do so. Chronic illnesses affect at least 10 percent to 15 percent of American children.¹ Two to four percent of children have severe illnesses that interfere daily with the usual activities of childhood.² Rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, leukemia and other malignancies, spina bifida, seizure disorders, neuromuscular diseases, AIDS, and other chronic conditions are most frequently found in this population.