Fatigue

What is fatigue?

Fatigue is extreme tiredness. When a child has fatigue their supply of energy is low. When energy is low it may be difficult to join in normal activities. Fatigue can be caused by physical activity, school work and emotional stress. Fatigue is common following serious illness or injury, a traumatic event or period of stress.

How can your child get back to everyday activities?

• Encourage your child to do small amounts of activity and slowly increase the time and effort. Activity helps the body to work better.
• Support them to get a good night’s sleep by keeping to regular bed and wake times, avoiding long lie-ins.
• Help them to eat a healthy diet.
• Support them to do gentle physical activity within their current capabilities.
• Encourage contact with friends including meet-ups where possible, even if only for a short time to start with.

How can your child get back to school?

1. Contact your child’s teacher or year head to organise their return to school.
2. For some children it is a good idea to visit at break time or lunch time first so they can see friends and get used to being back at school.
3. Then choose a subject that your child likes and encourage them to go to this lesson first.
4. Gradually increase the hours and days they attend.
5. It is important to build in rest periods throughout the day.

What else can be done to improve your child’s energy and reduce fatigue?

Pacing activity helps to avoid exhaustion

Plan the activity with your child so that they stop for regular breaks. Try to help your child to avoid pushing on with an activity until they are completely exhausted as it will take a long time to restore their energy.

Balance activities throughout the week

Support your child to spread activities through the week to avoid exhaustion.

Establish a routine

Knowing what is happening and where things are helps to reduce the demands on your child.

Explore activities that help them relax and restore their energy

Some people enjoy listening to relaxing music, a meditation CD or a mindfulness App, doing yoga, or gentle movement or going for a short walk. If possible ensure there is a quiet space at home that they can use.

Do things your child enjoys

Spending time with family and friends, and doing fun things can be a good way to restore energy for some children.

Encourage your child to tell people around them that they get tired easily

They need to be able to let teachers and friends know when they are too tired to take on new information or manage activities.

Support their memory

Use a calendar to plan activities, keep important things in the same place and write lists of things they need to remember.

Goals

Set a goal with your child of what they would like to be doing. Then think through the steps they will need to take to get there and work on one step at a time.

What do I do if the fatigue continues?

Please speak to your child’s GP or consultant about what services are available. It may be that your child needs to see an occupational therapist for a more detailed look to offer help with chronic fatigue.