Changes in children's school performance as a result of education for family management of asthma

Abstract

This paper describes the impact of an asthma self-management program for parents and children on the school performance and adjustment of children with asthma. Program participants were predominantly low income, minority families enrolled in four pediatric outpatient clinics. The educational content of the program was based on a needs assessment of the participants and recommendations of medical consultants. Parents and children participated separately in group sessions that focused on the development of self-management skills and problem solving. The program was organized into six themes including "how to help your child (yourself) do well in school." The program was evaluated with an experimental research design and yielded significant school related benefits. Children participating in the program maintained better grades. Math, reading and science grades were higher relative to control group children in the year following the program. Within a subgroup of children who received care from private practitioners, program children exhibited better social adjustment to school than did control group children.