BMT impacts the growth and development of children in a variety of ways. It is important for parents to get informations about factors, issues, and concerns that can affect their child's learning, as well as what can be done to prevent or address problems that may arise. Many of the medications and procedures used to treat cancer and for BMT protocols, are known to cause short- or long-term side effects that can affect functioning. As more children now survive cancer and become adults, we have learned that late effects also may occur, often many years after the BMT.

The psychosocial development of children and their entire family, is also affected by catastrophic illness and the family disruption that is caused by BMT. Much support for coping is available to patients and families from BMT social workers, child life specialists, parent support groups, and online BMT communities. There are now also specialized organizations and social networking groups for teens and young adult patients, as well as for the brothers and sisters of patients, who are affected by their sibling's illness and treatment.

BMT also affects the education of school-age children (generally those ages 3-18), at the very least by interrupting their schooling. Students may be unable to attend school for many months in order to protect them from infections. Some may have already missed school during pre-transplant cancer treatment. Students who cannot attend school for health reasons are entitled to special accomodations and services to ensure that their educational needs are met, under both federal and Washington state laws. Some BMT patients also may have special learning needs (related to their disease and/or its treatment) that make them eligible or special education programs and services.

Young people never imagine that they can become critically ill, as they commonly feel they are invincible. Even for those who have a regular source of medical care, sometimes their diagnosis with cancer can be delayed because they and others (including health care providers) may not take complaints of aches and pains seriously at first. The whole BMT experience adds another layer of complications as the young people become again very physically and emotionally dependent on the parent(s), yet they also need to be able to actively participate in their own care, including being involved in making decisions.

Two sets of laws are relevant: education laws and civil rights laws. The Washington State Constitution affirms the responsibility of the state to provide a public education to all children residing within its borders. The laws meant to prohibit discrimination against individuals with disabilities or special developmental issues also apply to children whose special needs are related to undergoing a BMT.

The civil rights laws protecting students extend to all education settings up to and beyond grade 12, including colleges and universities, and vocational training programs. These laws offer some employment-related protections as well. Both education and civil rights laws are important to BMT survivors and their families, as the patients are often unable to attend school for many months or even years due to complications and need to avoid exposure to infections, and also need the constant availability of a caregiver. Many (but not yet all) parents of BMT survivors may be helped by the job protections of the civil rights laws.

There are many excellent resources from local, state, and national agencies and organizations, available to help children and their families.  As there may be some overlap in programs provided by each, we recommend that you seek assistance from your child's BMT social worker or one of the service-navigation agencies to find those specific  resources that will best meet your child's needs.