A number of medical and caring professionals may be involved in your child's care at different times. It is important to understand that, at present, there is no cure for EDS and that many professionals will not have met a case before. They too are in a learning situation.

A program of physiotherapy may be advised to strengthen the muscles around the joints. It is important to ensure that these exercises in no way stress the joints. Non-weigh-bearing exercises may be helpful, as may hydrotherapy. If joints are very weak; braces are recommended and care should be taken that the do not bruise or damage the skin.

Occupational therapists can give help showing how to do the jobs that, in the normal course, may stress the joints. Alternative types of fastenings e.g. Velcro, can be simple adjustments to make, but save a lot of hassle. If a child is fearful of injury or over-emotional, counseling may be helpful, although emotional and psychological problems are not normally associated with EDS.

This is limited to treating symptoms as they arise, as covered in other Support Group Literature.

Parents can play a very important role in ensuring that their child grows into an emotionally whole adult. It is of paramount importance not to type-cast your child in a specific mold. With the very best intentions this can be difficult but it is essential that your child does not feel different or disabled in a way that can make them withdraw. It is imperative that family and friends do not label your child as clumsy, accident-prone or awkward. Co-ordination can be a real problem with EDS and your child may continually fall over or drop things; fear of falling in case they are called clumsy will only make matters worse. Cosmetic disfigurement due to scarring and bruising can lead to hurtful teasing. Your child will need help to cope with this.

It is always better to prevent problems arising rather than have to treat accidents when they occur. Obviously it will NOT be possible to forestall all injuries and, for your own sanity, it is important that you do not blame yourself when accidents do happen. However, there are certain precautions that can be taken.

The majority of bookshops and libraries have books on the prevention of accidents in the home and these can be a valuable source from which to learn. Or you could contact the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents to ask for lists of suitable books.

Simple measures like avoiding scatter rugs, frayed edges on carpets, slippery floors and trailing wires will not only make your home safer for your child with EDS but for all members of the family. Handrails on stairs and baths are wise. When you buy furniture, consider whether any item may present a danger for your child. Accidents are less likely to occur with round tables than with square ones with corners to run into. Padded arms are much safer than wooden ones on chairs and sofas.

If possible, having a downstairs toilet will save your child having to go upstairs when a limb is painful or save you having to carry him/her up and down the stairs if he/she is unable to walk.

Toys should be given the same attention to check whether they have sharp edges etc. This is where it is helpful if you have shared your knowledge about EDS with family and friends, especially if they are likely to give your child presents.

For your child's emotional well-being it is important that he/she lead as normal a life as possible and this includes playing with other children and participating in certain sports. You will not be doing your child any favors by protecting him/her too much and stopping him/her from playing as normally as possible with other children of his/her own age. One specialist put this in perspective by saying that the 'majority of physical injuries could be treated and would heal but that psychological damage took a great deal longer to treat and heal'.

There are general precautions that can be taken. Elbow, knee and shin pads can help avoid damage to vulnerable areas if your child is prone to falling. This may be very easy in the cooler months when the pads can be hidden under long sleeves and trousers or when other children are wearing them for certain activities. Do carefully weigh up the benefit if other children are teasing your child and wearing them becomes a stressful emotional problem.

Try to discourage your child from 'showing off' his/her ability to over-extend his/her joints to friends or family. There is a risk of injury if the lax ligaments are stretched when the joints are not stabilized by adequate muscular control.

When guiding your child regarding other activities it is always helpful to ask yourself, and others with the necessary knowledge, whether the activity could cause stress to one or more joints and whether accidental injury may occur. Playing certain musical instruments, e.g. the violin, may stress the joints where another instrument might be perfectly acceptable. Where there is only mild joint hypermobility and the skin is not fragile, light gymnastics may be allowed whereas, for another child, gymnastics would be dangerous.

There is no reason to prevent your child joining an organization such as the Cub/Boy Scouts or Brownies/Girl Scouts. Before your child starts, brief the person running the organization about his/her limitations and the necessary action to be taken in the case of an accident. It may be helpful to explain a little about EDS to the other children attending in such a way that they will support your child rather than ostracize him/her.

Reassure those running the organization that, while expecting them to try to prevent your child having an accident, you are aware that accidents do happen and you will not 'blame' them. Initially it can be a frightening responsibility for someone not conversant with EDS and you want them 'on your side'.

Contact sports such as football, rugby, netball and hockey are not recommended for any child suffering from EDS. Wise parents will endeavor to steer their child towards less demanding sports. Swimming is an ideal sport as it is not weight bearing and can help strengthen muscles, therefore helping to stabilize weak joints. The child should not try to hold his/her head up out of water, though, as this can place undue stress on the neck.

Before your child starts school or changes school it is advisable to make an appointment to discuss your child's welfare and needs. Encourage the staff in such a way that they are inspired to help your child rather than be over-anxious about him/her. Take along basic literature about EDS so that they will know what problems there may be and have a 'plan of action' in the event of an accident. Explain that it may be necessary to send home school-work for your child if he/she is in the hospital or recuperating at home after an accident. Teachers must be encouraged to ensure that teasing and bullying do not take place. Class discussions on disability in general can be most helpful to all pupils with the emphasis on the need for understanding, tolerance and sympathy for all with disabilities.

It may be helpful to ask to speak to fellow pupils to encourage their understanding and support for your child's specific difficulties. your child needs to feel he/she is a worthwhile member of the community. He/She may not be able to participate in one activity but may excel in another. Always look for alternatives. Be positive, encouraging others to be the same.

a) your child has special education needs (SEN) because of, say, impaired mobility, weak hand control, poor coordination, frequent hospitalization or low attendance due to bad health and
b) his/her SEN are not being properly met by provision of enough specialist teaching or practical equipment (e.g. suitable seating, word processor),

Then:
 
You have the right to ask the Head of your child's school to initiate the process of statementing your child's SEN. He must refer the child to an Educational Psychologist, who makes a recommendation to the Special Needs Panel of your Local Education Authority (LEA). Your child's SEN will be fully assessed by the Panel. If a Statement of SEN is issued, the LEA must meet those needs in full. Statementing is a long, slow process. It should be started as soon as you are sure that it is right for your child.

Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome does not cause learning difficulties. However, in certain circumstances, these may occur. For instance some children with EDS are born prematurely and these children may experience the same delays that can affect any other premature baby. Equally children who have to spend periods of time at home or in the hospital when they should be at school may require extra tuition to help them catch up with their peers.

Speech and hearing problems are not normally associated with EDS. But, because a child has EDS, it does not mean that he/she cannot have a totally separate medical problem. If you child exhibits symptoms that do not appear in EDS literature, the other problem much be diagnosed so that this, too, may be treated in the best possible way.

Find a balance between pandering to your child and listening to genuine grumbles. A child may regularly complain about something e.g. that being firmly dried on a towel is painful. This may be so therefore try out an alternative.

Be aware that, due to injuries and bruising, you may be accused of child abuse. Respond in a positive manner and explain about EDS calmly. This may even be a time for heightening the person's awareness of EDS and saving someone else from the same accusation in the future.

Your primary aim should be to raise your child to be a well-adjusted, self-sufficient adult, avoiding unrealistic expectations. Encourage a good education. Your child may need to rely on brains, not brawn. Above all things try to enjoy your child and the special challenges that he/she brings.