Ask The Expert
Children

First I would suggest you discuss this with your diabetes team who might have specific written guidelines they want to provide. In addition, there are many excellent resources available to assist you, as you will see below.  While I will list the key points, be sure to check out the related links below; you can access the specific information from these sites generally by entering the word “school” in the search box.

Managing diabetes effectively at school should accomplish these outcomes:

• Promote a healthy learning environment for your child
• Reduce school absences
• Reduce classroom disruption
• Assure effective response in case of any diabetes-related emergency
• Promote your child’s ability to fully participate in both school and extra-curricular activities.

Your responsibility as a parent:

1. Provide a diabetes information packet.  There are various brochures and articles available that explain what diabetes is and how it is treated, what are hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia and how are they treated, plus anything else you feel will help the school staff gain a better understanding of your child’s diabetes management. Note particularly the NDEP’s (National Diabetes Education Program) brochure “Helping the Student with Diabetes Succeed.”  This is a free, comprehensive 88-page resource.
2. Create a written healthcare plan for your child’s diabetes management.  Called a 504 plan (named for Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973), this is an agreement between you and the school, which provides guidelines tailored to your child’s individual needs and abilities for managing your child’s diabetes at school. It should spell out both the agreed upon responsibilities of the parent as well as the school. Note that 504 plans are a legal right only in schools that receive federal funding; however, students attending schools that do not take federal monies are covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act or the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, so a similar plan can still be established.
3. Train appropriate personnel on basic diabetes management skills. Work with the school nurse, administrators, and/or other appropriate personnel (such as teachers, lunch staff, front office staff, bus drivers, coaches, band directors, etc.) to arrange for training on specific diabetes management skills such as blood glucose monitoring, insulin administration, sick day rules, and low blood sugar treatment including glucagon administration. 

Keep in mind that there are many excellent resources to assist you:

• Your diabetes team of healthcare professionals
• Local support groups sponsored by either JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) or ADA (American Diabetes Association)
• The websites listed below, which have a wealth of information, downloadable brochures, and school personnel training modules.
• In addition, you can call the ADA at:  1-800-Diabetes (342-2383) and request the ADA’s packet on school discrimination or you can discuss a specific school or day care problem with the ADA’s Legal Advocate.