The intersection of chronic pediatric diseases and reading difficulties is a critical yet often overlooked area in child development. According to the research article "Chronic pediatric diseases and risk for reading difficulties: a narrative review with recommendations," there is a substantial and under-researched risk for reading difficulties in children with chronic medical conditions like asthma, cancer, congenital heart disease (CHD), epilepsy, and sickle cell disease (SCD).The study utilizes an eco-bio-developmental framework to highlight how these conditions impact literacy development through both direct and indirect mechanisms. Here are some key takeaways and recommendations for practitioners to improve outcomes for children:
1. Early Identification and Screening
Children with chronic diseases are at higher risk for reading difficulties. Practitioners should integrate early literacy screening into routine care management plans. Tools like the Reading House can help identify potential issues as early as age three.
2. Parental Engagement
Encourage parents to engage in shared reading activities with their children from infancy. This can significantly improve cognitive, social-emotional, and academic outcomes. Shared reading is particularly beneficial for children from at-risk backgrounds, including those with chronic illnesses.
3. Multidisciplinary Approach
Care for children with chronic conditions often involves multiple healthcare providers. A coordinated approach that includes speech-language pathologists, psychologists, and educators can optimize neurodevelopmental outcomes. Integrating literacy support into multidisciplinary care plans can provide comprehensive support for the child.
4. Addressing Indirect Factors
Chronic conditions often lead to frequent hospital stays and missed school days, disrupting home and school routines. Addressing these indirect factors by providing academic continuity during hospital stays and ensuring a supportive home literacy environment can mitigate some of these risks.
5. Tailored Interventions
Interventions should be tailored to address the specific cognitive deficits associated with each condition. For example, children with epilepsy may benefit from interventions focused on phonological processing, while those with SCD might need support for executive functions and language processing.
6. Health Literacy
Lower literacy abilities can impact a child's understanding of their health condition and adherence to treatment plans. Improving general literacy can thus enhance health literacy, leading to better health outcomes and easier transitions to self-care in adolescence.
7. Research and Innovation
There is a need for more research to understand the links between chronic diseases and literacy outcomes better. Innovative programs that combine health education with literacy support, like the Saturday-school format for asthmatic children, show promise and should be explored further.Incorporating these recommendations into practice can help mitigate the risks of reading difficulties in children with chronic pediatric diseases, ultimately leading to better academic and health outcomes.To read the original research paper, please follow this link:
Chronic pediatric diseases and risk for reading difficulties: a narrative review with recommendations.
