Back to School with Diabetes

Are you caring for a child with diabetes?

Here are some things to think about while getting ready for the first day of school:

1. Communicate clearly with teachers.

Joslin posted their advice last week, advising that you discuss symptoms of hyper- and hypo-glycemia, and when the child should go to the nurse's office. You may also want to clearly outline what the child needs to be allowed to do in the classroom, such as checking blood sugars or carrying snacks.

Depending on the child's age, you may need to emphasize that your child may not be able to tell the teacher when he or she is having a low.

2. Do your homework.

Work with your child's doctor to update your Diabetes Medical Management Plan (DMMP). You can use the DMMP to draft an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) with the school, clearly outlining the school's responsibilities and who should be trained - this includes the teacher, the school nurse, and depending on the age of the child, possibly other staff such as the bus driver.

http://www.cdc.gov/features/diabetesinschool/

3. Be prepared.

The CDC offers this list of suggestions for packing a diabetes kit for your child's backpack:

• Blood glucose (sugar) meter, testing strips, lancets, and extra batteries for the meter.
• Ketone testing supplies.
• Insulin and syringes/pens.
• Antiseptic wipes.
• Water.
• For children who wear an insulin pump, backup insulin and syringes/pens in case of pump failure,
• All children on insulin need glucose tablets or other fast-acting glucose snacks (a carbohydrate that will raise blood sugar levels relatively quickly when eaten). Here are examples of fast-acting snacks that provide about 10 to 15 grams of carbohydrate:
• 3-5 pieces of hard candy.
• 4-6 ounces of regular (non-diet) soda.
• 4-6 ounces of orange juice.
• 2 tablespoons of raisins.
• 8 ounces of nonfat or low-fat milk.

http://www.cdc.gov/features/diabetesinschool/

4. Stay healthy and active as a family 

The back-to-school season can be a stressful time, but it's important to keep up with all your family's healthy habits, including:

• Packing or encouraging healthy balanced breakfasts, lunches, and snacks
• 60 minutes of physical activity per day - especially if you can do activities together, such as walking or bike riding together after school
• Limiting screen time
• Staying up to date on doctor appointments and vaccinations

Is there anything else you have learned from experience about getting ready for this fall? Please let us know in the comments section below!

For more information, check out:
http://www.cdc.gov/features/diabetesinschool/
http://blog.joslin.org/2013/08/back-to-school-tips-for-diabetes-management-teacher-edition/