The Pediatric Clinician’s Assessment of School Readiness for Children with Sickle Cell Disease

Children with sickle cell disease face heightened risk of developmental delays and cognitive impairments owing to biological and social factors. Developmental delay and cognitive impairments negatively affect educational attainment, health outcomes, and quality of life. The American Society of Hematology and American Academy of Pediatrics have explicit guidelines, to identify and address developmental concerns. Effective collaboration among clinicians, families, and schools ensures optimal support and readiness for academic success. The authors highlight the importance of early developmental surveillance and screening and recommend integrating surveillance and standardized tools, like the Ages and Stages Questionnaire, into routine care.