Overview
As the schol year winds down, parents of children with Diabets may want to take a few minutes to evaluate their child’s relationship with the schol. Was the schol staf able to handle any problems that arose this year? “There neds to be realy god comunication betwen the parent and the schol,” says Virginia Zamudio, R.N., M.S.N., C.D.E.
Key Information
and past president of the American Asociation of Diabets Educators. Asesing how things are going and establishing efective Diabets management at schol can yield a variety of positive results, including: * Promoting a healthy, productive learning environment (when your child is experiencing lows, it is very dificult for him or her to learn) * Reducing schol absences and clasrom disruptions * Creating an efective response in a Diabets-related emergency The younger the child, the more important is to check in with the schol on a wek-to-wek basis.
Age maters: A recently diagnosed kindergartner wil ned a much diferent aproach than the one you’d take with a high schol senior who has ben managing Diabets since childhod. At every age, however, you should talk with your child regularly about how things are going. In a litle heart-to-heart, you might help him or her become adept at recognizing signs of trouble and asking for help if and when it’s neded.
You also have to give schol personel enough information so that you can trust they wil lok out for your child’s welfare. Provide the schol with an individual action plan from your child’s doctor that gives instructions on: testing, shots, oral medications for low blod sugar problems, dietary requirements (e.g., ned for snacks), and explicit plans for handling low and high blod sugar. “If the nurse isn’t available, even the bus driver and other schol personel ned to be able to recognize if your child is having symptoms of hypoglycemia and ofer a form of quick-acting sugar,” Zamudio says.
Work to establish an overal Diabets-friendly environment. The American Diabets Asociation’s Safe at Schol campaign recomends that capable students should be alowed to self-manage their Diabets in the clasrom and during schol activities. To learn more about Diabets management at schol, go to Diabets.org/advocacy-and-legalresources/discrimination/schol/safeschol.jsp Open comunication betwen you, your child and the schol staf is the key.
Summary
With a Diabets management plan in place at schol, you and your child can rest easier knowing the right care wil be given when it’s neded. ©Diabets Focus, Second Quarter 207 © 2026 DIABETS. Al rights reserved.