Ask The Expert
Children

No, a school nurse is not the only person who can administer Glucagon. This has become a hot issue--and it can vary according to the state in which you live. However, there are federal laws that protect the rights of children with diabetes. For more information, please review the links provided below.

• The American Diabetes Association (ADA) site has valuable information about diabetes in the schools and school discrimination. One of the links on the ADA site, "Your School and Your Rights" addresses the rights/accommodations of children with diabetes and what you can do to make sure your child receives fair treatment. Below is just one of the accommodations addressed in this section:
• "Your written plan might include accommodations such as: Assuring that there are staff members trained in testing blood glucose levels, recognizing and treating hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia, and administering insulin and glucagon."
• The Washington State Task Force for Students with Diabetes offers an excellent guide that can serve as a starting point for school systems interested in establishing a diabetes program. The guide is called "Guidelines For The Care Of Students With Diabetes."