The school functioning of children with chronic and recurrent pain

Consistent with a biopsychosocial framework for understanding children’s pain, it is important to recognize that many areas in a child’s life may be affected by chronic or recurrent pain. Attendance at school typically occupies a large number of a child’s waking hours. It is an environment where social relationships develop and important learning occurs. This article reviews the literature on various aspects of school functioning and common areas of functional impairment of children and adolescents with chronic or recurrent pain conditions, including school attendance and participation, social functioning, and academic performance. Factors within the school’s physical environment that may impact on the functioning of students with pain conditions are also outlined.