In some cases the youngster with arthritis may be advised to go to a hospital for special tests. Otherwise, most children with arthritis are kept at home with their families, go to school and participate in social activities as much as possible.

Physicians say the outlook for those with rheumatoid arthritis that begins in childhood is often better than for those who get the disease as adults.

Exercise and Physical Therapy

If your child has rheumatoid arthritis, your child’s physician and physical therapists have probably instructed you about exercising the child’s joints to keep them mobile, improve their functioning, and prevent or minimize disabilities. Usually such exercises are done at home in the mornings and evenings.

Your child may have to get up a little earlier than others to allow time to loosen up before school Often the most severe discomfort is in the early morning, and the duration of the stiffness is an indication of the severity of the disease. It may last longer on some days than on others. Starting the day with a warm bath is effective for many children.

Taking Medication in School

If your child takes medication for arthritis, even aspiritn, his or her teacher should be advised. Schools vary in their procedures. Some prefer that medications, be kept by teachers or the school nurse. You may want to ask the teacher to cooperate so that the child does not have to make several trips a day to a special office at medication time. Also subtle supervision by the teacher during the course of the day may be necessary so that the child does not intentionally forget to take medication in an effort to appear just like the other children.

Being One of the Kids

At times your child may wear a plastic or metal splint on an arm, wrist, or hand to test inflamed joints and keep them in the proper position to prevent or correct deformities. If this is necessary, you may want to explain the function of these splints to the teacher so that correct information can be given to the other children and to remove the mysterious air from your child’s appearance.