Explaining your diagnosis

Sharing at school

Living with a PI can affect your child’s education. They may be absent more, which can lead to falling behind on school work and missing time with friends. If their school day is not affected by PI, it is up to you whether you say anything to the school about their diagnosis. However, it is important to tell your school about your child’s condition in the following situations:

• They are absent or expect to be absent more than other students.
• They take medication at school.
• They could have a medical emergency at school.
• They need accommodations or adjustments made to their day, like more frequent restroom visits or rest breaks during physical activity.

If any of the above apply, you will want to meet school staff to explain your child’s PI and develop a written plan. Most parents of children with PI do not view their child as having a disability. You probably feel the same way. However, if you want the school to provide an accommodation, you should identify your child as having a disability since federal laws include requirements for how schools should respond if a student’s learning is affected by a health condition.

Sharing at work

For people with PI, employment is about more than just making money and job satisfaction. You need a job that will allow you to perform at a high standard with your condition and will offer good health insurance benefits. There are many people with PI who have amazing jobs, and you can be one of them. During a job search and application period, you do not have to disclose that you have PI unless it affects completing essential job functions. After you are hired, you do not have to disclose this information unless you are requesting an accommodation. If you choose to have those conversations with your employer, understand your rights as an employee before you disclose your condition.

Thrive at work