Kids spend half their day at school, which means it is incredibly important to have a well-thought-out diabetes management plan for the school day.
Every child will have a unique way of managing their diabetes. Some may use insulin pumps, insulin pens, or a syringe and vial. All students manage their diabetes differently, and all are at different stages. The older students may be more independent and administer their care, while others may be younger or less experienced and need assistance. It is essential that a doctor’s prescribed care and the medical management plan is specific to the individual child.
An excellent place to start is by looking at the diabetes medical management plan template that The American Diabetes Association and the National Diabetes Education Program created. This medical management plan can be customized for every student.
Another thing to remember is that the school staff are a critical component in your child’s diabetes care plan. Therefore, it is essential that the school has a trained and knowledgeable staff to provide safe care and provision for your child with diabetes. As a parent, you play a considerable role in making that happen. Your child’s diabetes management plan requires a holistic approach. It is imperative that there is clear communication between the parent/guardian, childcare providers, healthcare providers, and the school staff so that all work together with the necessary information and resources that will help your child thrive.
If you are a parent of a child who recently got diagnosed with diabetes, and this is all new and overwhelming for you, it is important to remember that you are not alone in this. There are many resources and a wealth of information online from both professional and personal experiences.
Below is a list of helpful links to get you started:
When Having a Medical Action Plan is Mentioned, Do You Think of Your Child?
American Diabetes Association – Diabetes medical plan
Organize Your Child’s Medical and School Documents with a Care Notebook
Diabetes @ School – Individual Care Plan
School Setting – Insulin Pump, Diabetes School Action Plan
Diabetes Mom Blog – Type 1 Diabetes and Teacher Training