Learn tips for diabetes management and heading back to school
Is your diabetic child heading back to school? Parents of a child with diabetes want to know that he or she is prepared to manage their health while they are at school. This means having all the essential items on hand that they will need to assess and manage their blood sugar levels. By helping your child prepare a bag of necessary items in advance, you will be making the school year easier to navigate. From the time they are young until they are old enough to take care of themselves, parents of a diabetic child must continue to oversee the management of their child’s health. Here are some great tips for diabetes management to help your child get ready for another school year:
1. Diabetes School Kit
Have a diabetes school kit ready with all the necessary items that your child will need to manage her diabetes. Let your child pick out the type of bag she wants to carry to school each day. Fill the bag with necessary items such as: testing strips, insulin, needles, and a glucagon kit for low blood sugar. Also fill your child’s bag with a juice box and a couple of selected snacks. Your child will bring her diabetes school kit everywhere she goes during the school day so that she is always prepared to test and manage her diabetes. Her diabetes school kit is crucial to maintaining her good health.
2. Medical Plan
Tips for diabetes management should include having your child’s medical plan for diabetes and school prepared by her medical provider. The plan should contain written instructions for how to properly test for blood glucose levels and provide insulin treatment. The school’s staff should have a copy of adverse diabetic signs and symptoms to be aware of. In the event that your child is exhibiting any of these signs, the staff should have the appropriate contact information, and be able to assist your child in the immediate treatment of hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia. School staff should include all of your child’s teachers, coaches, the school nurse, the administrative office, school bus driver and others who are in contact with your child during the school day.
3. Plan Ahead
Before school begins, you should set up a meeting with school personnel who will be involved with your child during the school year. This gives you an opportunity to discuss your child’s health and give an update on her health status. Review your child’s medical plan so that everyone understands your child’s unique situation and how it must be managed. Some elementary schools allow for classmates to learn about juvenile diabetes and its adverse symptoms, so that if a classmate sees your child exhibit any of the signs he can alert the teacher. Some schools also use a buddy system, where another child will accompany a diabetic child to the bathroom or nurse’s station in the event that they need to check their blood sugar level, or are feeling tired or weak. These are excellent management strategies for juvenile diabetes and school intervention.
4. Legal Rights
Another of our tips for diabetes management includes knowing your child’s legal rights. Although your child can have a full and healthy life like other children, chronic illness can sometime be classified as having a disability. The American Diabetes Association and National Institute of Health and Human Services provide information regarding legal protection and advocacy for children with diabetes. Schools are legally bound and held responsible for helping your child manage her diabetes while at school. Your child is protected by several Federal and State anti-discrimination laws that include:
- The Americans with Disabilities Act
- The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
- The Rehabilitation Act of 1973-section 504
5. A Technological Advantage
Juvenile diabetes and school activity can be monitored with the use of modern technology and Smart phones. Your child can wear a continuous glucose monitor that is affixed to the skin. Some devices send blood glucose level readings directly to selected Smart phones. If your child’s glucose level drops to a dangerously low or high level, the device will sound an alarm. This medical device allows parents to keep track of their child’s glucose levels, and have peace of mind by continuously staying in the loop.
Juvenile diabetes requires 24/7 management to avoid dangerous complications, regardless of whether your child is at home or in school. That is why it is important to learn important tips for diabetes management, so that your child can have a good experience while supervising her juvenile diabetes and school activity. To learn additional diabetes management tips, visit www.BetterHealthKare.com
