I am seeking comments for a report I am writing on The Challenges of MCS Sufferers in a Traditional School Setting (whether as a child or as an adult).  I have been an allergy and MCS sufferer since birth myself.  I had a tough time in school because of my condition.

This report will be helpful to a lot of people so please take time to respond.

I am particularly interested in the following although any comments relating to the topic would be helpful:

 

1.       Did you at any time have any chemical sensitivities that adversely affected your performance at school?

a.       As a child:  Yes/No

b.      As an adult: Yes/No

 

2.       Did any member of your family have any chemical sensitivities that adversely affected their performance at school?

a.       As a child: Yes/No

b.      As an adult: Yes/No

 

3.       Do you have any advice for schools in accommodating MCS sufferers?

 

4.       Do you know of a form for use in requesting a reasonable accommodation?

 

5.       Do you know of any information sheet or brochure for use in notifying a school about the special needs of MCS sufferers?

 

6.       Are there any studies on students or children with MCS, such as how prevalent it is within these groups?

 

7.       Are there any websites for schools, students or children with MCS?

 

8.       Are there any studies on what percent of MCS sufferers report having symptoms prior to the age in which they start attending school as a child?

 

9.       Are there any case studies of students or children with MCS?

 

10.   Do you have any special advice for children or students with MCS?

 

11.   Have you heard of any special programs for students with MCS?

 

12.   Types of problems you have experienced as a student with MCS:

a.       No problems

b.      Reactions to carrying printed materials including textbooks

c.       Reactions in classrooms to printed materials including textbooks

d.      Reactions to chemicals while trying to take an exam

e.      Trouble getting a good night's sleep due to reactions with chemicals the night prior to a school day

f.        Mind fog due to reactions with chemicals during classes or while trying to study

g.       Anxiety due to feels of isolation due to having the MCS condition

h.      Other problems experienced as a student with MCS?  Please describe them.

               

13.   How greatly was your overall performance as a student adversely affected due to having MCS

a.       Not at all

b.      Slightly or in ways that occasionally adversely affected my overall academic performance

c.       Moderately or in ways that frequently adversely affected my overall academic performance   

d.      Severely or in ways that greatly affected my overall academic performance

e.      Completely or in ways that made it completely impossible to continue in school

 

14.   Did you ever have to leave a classroom due to a reaction you had to chemical sensitivities?

 

15.   Did you ever drop out of school due to difficulties you were experiencing related to your MCS condition?

 

16.   If you did have to drop out of school due to MCS, at what grade level?

a.       Kindergarten

b.      Grades 1-6

c.       Grades 7-9

d.      Grades 10-12

e.      College levels or other adult learning

 

17.   At what age did you believe you first started having MCS symptoms?

a.       Since birth

b.      0-10 yrs old

c.       11-19 yrs old

d.      20-29

e.      30-39

f.        40-49

g.       50 or older

 

18.   At what age did you discover that there was a name for the condition (MCS and other names)?

               

19.   How many years after you first started having MCS symptoms did you discover there was a name for the condition?

 

Please email responses and comments to me at kenbrotman@....  Thank you for your participation!

Ken Brotman

www.allergies-mcs.com