Two federal laws protect the education rights of children ages 0 to 21 who have disabilities—Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). These laws guarantee every public school student the right to education regardless of physical, mental, or health impairment. Every state has a department of education website that describes state guidelines about how these laws are implemented and ways to obtain more information.

Examples of impairments affecting school performance that may develop during or after treatment for childhood solid tumors include the following:

•  Motor problems after treatment for bone or soft tissue sarcomas

•  Problems with small motor and gross motor skills (temporary or permanent) due to vincristine neuropathy

•  Hearing loss after treatment with platinum-based chemotherapy drugs and/or aminoglycoside antibiotics

•  Vision problems from treatment for retinoblastoma or orbital or nasopharyngeal rhabdomyosarcoma

•  Hormonal issues

•  Learning disabilities

•  Post-traumatic stress, depression, and anxiety

No matter how good your relationship is with the school, any services needed by your child should be documented in a written and signed Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 Plan (see information below). A written plan will document your child’s legal right to services and accommodations, and if your family moves, the new school will be legally required to follow the former school’s plan until a new one is agreed upon and put into place.