Need help with managing chronic fatigue in children?
Our expert tips and strategies can help you improve your child’s daily life, education, and overall well-being.
It’s important to be able to tell the difference between regular tiredness and chronic fatigue in children because they’re very different. Regular tiredness is normal and can usually be fixed with rest or sleep. It’s a natural response to being physically active or using your brain a lot.
Chronic fatigue, though, is ongoing and doesn’t go away even with rest. It can make children feel extremely tired all the time and interfere with their daily life. Children with chronic fatigue might feel weak, struggle to concentrate or stop enjoying activities they used to love.
One of the hardest things about chronic fatigue is recognising it. Unlike other health problems, there aren’t obvious physical signs, so it can be misunderstood. People might think children with chronic fatigue are just being lazy or unmotivated, which isn’t true. Younger children, in particular, often have trouble describing how they feel, making it harder for parents and teachers to notice.
Understanding chronic fatigue is key for parents, teachers, and caregivers. It helps them support children who have it, making sure they feel understood and not ignored. Recognising its effects on a child’s body, emotions, and education can make a big difference in how these children cope with the condition and develop confidence to manage their challenges.
Chronic fatigue is a condition that makes you feel extremely tired all the time. Unlike regular tiredness, it doesn’t go away with rest and isn’t caused by another illness. Chronic fatigue can make it very hard to do daily activities like going to work, school, or spending time with friends. People with chronic fatigue often feel drained, even after sleeping or relaxing. This is why it’s important to recognise the difference between normal exhaustion and chronic fatigue, as the latter often signals a more serious condition that needs attention and care.
Chronic fatigue can significantly affect a child’s life, but understanding its symptoms can help with early identification and care. Here are the common signs to watch for:
These symptoms can vary in intensity but often make it hard for a child to keep up with regular routines, like school or hobbies. Recognising these signs early and seeking medical advice is essential for proper diagnosis and management.
Children with chronic fatigue often face big challenges at school that can interrupt their education. Staying focused during lessons is one of the biggest hurdles since exhaustion and “brain fog” make it hard to understand or remember new information. This can lead to trouble finishing homework, joining class discussions, and keeping up with classmates. Many children with this condition also have to miss school often to rest or attend medical appointments. Some might miss days, weeks, or even months, which makes it difficult to keep up with lessons and assignments.
Another issue is that the pressure of deadlines, tests, and homework can worsen their fatigue. This often creates a cycle where stress adds to their symptoms, making it even harder to manage school demands. Schools can help by working with families to offer support, like flexible schedules, less homework, or extra academic help, so these students have a better chance of succeeding.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), also known as Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME), is a condition that affects about 1% of children aged 11-16 in UK secondary schools. This means approximately one in every 100 children in this age group is impacted by the condition. CFS/ME can occur across all social classes and ethnic groups and is most commonly seen in teenagers, though children as young as two years old have been diagnosed.
A recent study in the UK and Ireland looked at severe cases of CFS/ME in children aged 5 to 16. It identified 33 confirmed cases, showing a rate of severe CFS/ME at 3.18 per million children. When including possible and probable cases, this number rises to 8.9 per million.
Research shows that CFS/ME is more likely to affect girls than boys, with around 58% of diagnosed cases being female. The average age when symptoms start is about 13, making adolescence an especially vulnerable time for developing this condition.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), also known as Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME), can significantly affect a child’s school life if not properly identified and managed. It is the main reason many teenagers take extended medical leave from school. Research highlights some concerning statistics:
When left undiagnosed or untreated, CFS/ME can lead to serious long-term consequences. This includes the possibility of chronic disability, which can impose heavy personal and financial risks for the child, their family, and society as a whole. A delayed diagnosis or insufficient support can result in extended periods away from school without alternatives like home tutoring, virtual education, or exam accommodations.
Without timely care, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) can lead to:
Research shows earlier diagnosis lowers severity. For those waiting less than a year for a diagnosis, fewer develop severe symptoms compared to those diagnosed after a longer delay. Only 27% of severely affected cases received a diagnosis within a year, while the figure was a better 54% among mild or moderate cases.
If Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) isn’t managed properly, it can impact a child’s growth and future opportunities. Here’s what we know:
One of the best ways to help students succeed is by bringing schools, parents, and tutors together. When these groups work as a team, they can create custom support plans tailored to each student’s specific needs. An essential part of this process is creating Individualised Learning Plans (ILPs). ILPs adjust the workload to match a student’s abilities while keeping goals achievable.
These plans include clear goals and practical strategies for the student. For example, students might get extra time to complete assignments, have tasks broken into smaller steps, or take regular breaks to avoid getting too tired. Regular communication and updates to the ILP make sure it keeps meeting the student’s needs as things change. This teamwork helps students succeed in school while supporting their overall well-being.
Pacing activities is an important way to avoid the “boom-and-bust” cycle. This happens when doing too much leaves you so tired that it’s hard to stay on track afterwards. By finding a balance, students can better manage their energy and stay focused throughout the day.
Here’s how to pace yourself:
By pacing your activities, you can feel more in control and make steady progress without burning out.
Caregivers and teachers have a big role in helping children feel good about themselves and their efforts. When we celebrate even the small wins, it can make children feel confident and motivated. Instead of criticising, offering helpful feedback lets them focus on how they can grow and improve. Creating a safe, supportive space for them to share their feelings and thoughts is also really important. Working with them to set small, achievable goals can give them a sense of purpose and pride when they reach these milestones.
Counselling and peer groups are also helpful for children’s emotional health. A trained counsellor can help children understand their feelings, build ways to handle stress, and deal with worries. Peer groups allow children to connect with others who’ve had similar experiences, which can make them feel less alone and more understood. Together, these steps help children build emotional strength, resilience, and a positive mindset, which is great for their overall mental health.
1. Action for ME
2. The ME Association
3. British Association of Clinicians in ME/CFS (BACME)
4. Bright Heart Education
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