Diabetes and Returning to School
It can be stressful for your child to return to school regardless of whether he / she has been living with diabetes for years or was just diagnosed yesterday. Following are suggestions to help you prepare him / her for the return.
It is important for a child with diabetes to take part in school activities, for physical, emotional and social well-being. The child's age, length of time since diagnosis and developmental stage will affect his or her ability to perform various tasks independently. The amount of assistance from the school may vary from child to child.
Set Up a Meeting
Call and schedule a meeting with school personnel before your child returns to school or immediately upon diagnosis. Try and include as many of the following individuals in the meeting as possible:
- School Nurse (If you do not have a school nurse ask the school who will be helping with your child's diabetes and include them in the meeting. i.e. secretary)
- Nurse's Aide / Administrative Support Staff
- Teacher
- Principal
- Food Service Manager
- Bus Driver
- Counselor
- Physical Education Teacher / Coach
Substitute teachers will also need to be informed of students with diabetes.
The diabetes team and the family will determine the frequency of blood glucose checks while at school based on the child's medical needs.
Bring your school packet, including School Orders, to the meeting, and remember to complete the "Must be completed by parent" section. You can contact your social worker at 513-636-2444 (option #9) if you have questions about these forms.
Designate Treatment Areas
Speak with the appropriate school personnel to designate:
- An area to store items used to treat low blood glucose
- An area to test blood glucose levels
- A plan to report blood glucose results to you
- A system to track recurrent absences or requests to be excused from class due to diabetes
Ask Questions
In your meeting with school personnel, ask them the following questions:
- Who will help monitor my child's blood glucose level?
- Who will assist and / or give my child insulin at school if needed?
- Who will call me when my child's diabetes supplies need to be replaced?
- Who will remind my child to eat his / her snack (if applicable)?
Store Supplies at School
Keep the following diabetes supplies / equipment at school for insulin therapy:
Basal/Bolus Supplies | NPH/Regular Supplies |
| Blood Glucose Meter | Blood Glucose Meter |
| Test strips | Test strips |
| Lancet device | Lancet device |
| Lancets | Lancets |
| Ketone strips | Ketone strips |
| Glucagon Emergency Kit | Glucagon Emergency Kit |
| Insulin pen | Insulin (based on individual needs) |
| Pen needles | Syringes |
| Syringes | Supply of snacks/items to treat low blood glucose |
| Insulin | |
| Extra Pump Supplies (insulin pump users) | |
| Supply of snacks/items to treat low blood glucose | |
Exercise / Activity / Gym Class
- Children with diabetes can participate in all activities
- Exercise and activity, such as recess, may lower blood sugar levels
- To maintain safe blood sugar levels for activity / exercise, the student may need to take an extra 15 grams of carbohydrate for 30 minutes of activity
- Be aware of the signs and symptoms of low blood glucose
- Always have a fast acting carbohydrate (i.e. juice) in case of low blood sugar
- The P.E. instructor / recess supervisor will need to be aware of the student with diabetes as well as know the signs of low blood sugar (The instructor should take into consideration the time and duration of the activity)
- Students with gym / recess before lunch are at greater risk for low blood sugar due to the length of time since they ate last (These students may need a snack before participating in activity)
- 30 minutes of physical activity may require 15 grams of carbohydrate without insulin
Written 9/04
