Taking Diabetes to School
The School and Special Concerns
Taking Diabetes to School: DFM National Diabetes Month Tips
Because the school-aged child spends over half of his/her waking hours in school, school personnel are almost as important to the care of the child with diabetes as the parents or guardians. It is important that the school personnel understand and recognize the necessary accommodations, which are needed for children with diabetes. The education of a child with diabetes is dependent upon the cooperative responsibilities of the parents or guardians, school personnel, health care personnel, and the child. This support system assures assistance in managing the child’s blood sugar levels.
It must be understood that the parent is responsible for seeing that this child’s needs are met by the school system. And, the school’s administrators must be willing to take the extra steps to meet these needs. Diabetes Foundation of Mississippi, Inc. can help with a free training program available upon request. DFM volunteers will go to your school or daycare center to present an in-service program called "It's Not a Sweet Subject". The presentation lasts about 30 minutes with additional time provided for questions. We will provide an emergency “box” with a blood glucose meter to the school or daycare if they have enrolled children with diabetes.
Responsibility Guidelines
A child’s ability to deal with diabetes varies with age, but age alone does not tell you when a child is ready to assume tasks. Children develop at different rates. The Diabetes Foundation of Mississippi has developed a list of general guidelines for helping your child cope with diabetes.
Daycare
The child may begin to cooperate with diabetes-related tasks but is unable to perform them independently. Normally, young children with diabetes do not recognize symptoms of low blood glucose, or they aren’t able to communicate to others when they are feeling “low.” Therefore, it’s extremely important to check your child’s blood glucose level often. Oftentimes young children are frightened by finger sticks and insulin shots and may try to avoid or delay getting them.
Elementary School
The child is learning how to recognize low blood sugar symptoms and can cooperate with all diabetes-related tasks. Young children (ages 5-7) should be able to: draw up insulin of one type, give themselves shots under close supervision, and perform blood glucose testing with assistance. In some cases children with diabetes view their disease as a punishment for something they did wrong; diabetes camps and support groups will help the child work through these feelings.
Middle School or Junior High School
The child should recognize symptoms of high and low blood sugar and know when to monitor it. Unless he is newly diagnosed, he should be able to administer his own insulin, and keep a blood glucose log book. Changes in dosage require adult supervision. Children 12 years or older should discuss their diabetes directly with their doctor and work with healthcare professionals in developing a diabetes management plan.
High School
For the teenager with diabetes, having to take insulin, check blood glucose, and follow a meal plan is tiresome and can compound the normal difficulties of being a teen. It is normal for a teen with diabetes to ease up on diabetes care and try to act like everyone else.
The teen years are a time of testing limits, so don't be surprised if your teen tests his/her diabetes limits at some point. Teens may refuse to adhere to their eating plan, skip insulin injections, or stop checking their blood glucose. In some cases, the natural consequences of these actions (serious hypoglycemic reactions or hospitalization for DKA) discourage teens from continuing these habits.
Sample 504 Accommodation PlanQuick-Reference Emergency Form (PDF)
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