Away From Home
As your child goes off to school, this is a great opportunity to help them foster a sense of self-reliance. Let them know that you're counting on them to take over some of the responsibilities for their self-care, but that you'll be there to support them every step of the way.
At School
Your child has the right to proper care while at school. Still, you may need to educate your school's administrators about diabetes, your child's needs, and why good care is so important.
Start by working with your healthcare team to outline your child's needs throughout the day. Then work with the school to develop an accommodation plan which clearly states, in writing, what special steps will be taken and who will be responsible for carrying them out. Our Back-to-School Toolkit includes many of the forms and details you'll need.
You'll want to meet with your child's teachers, school nurse, bus drivers, and coaches as a group or individually - just make sure you don't leave out anyone who will be supervising your child throughout the week. You'll want to make sure everyone understands:
• Snack and meal times, and special circumstances requiring additional food.
• Where and when your child should perform blood tests or have injections, whether that's in the classroom or a private place.
• Your child can participate in anything the other children do, including sports and field trips.
• Your child may require extra trips to the bathroom or water fountain.
• Your child may not be penalized for necessary medical absences.
In addition, coaches and gym teachers must understand the importance of letting your child sit out if blood sugars are too high, as well as the need for additional testing and snacks before vigorous exercise.
Finally, and perhaps most important, all the adults who supervise your child need to understand how to recognize, test for, and treat hypoglycemia or low blood sugar.
In addition, you may want to take a few steps to make things easier on your child at school.
• Involve your child in creating the accommodation plan - for example, don't ask for testing in a private place if your child prefers not to leave the classroom.
• Ask if they'd like to have a classroom session on diabetes.The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) has developed materials to help teach your child's classmates about diabetes. Encourage your child's teacher to download their Classroom Tool Kit full of activities to get the whole class involved.
• If your child eats snacks in the classroom, offer to bring snacks for the whole class once in a while. This gives you a chance to explain why your son or daughter needs a scheduled snack, and lets other kids participate in what may appear to them to be a special perk for your child.
• Help your child come up with prepared responses for kids who ask about injections or special snacks.
• Let your child know that, outside of teachers and staff, they don't have to tell anyone about diabetes if they don't want to. Then respect their wishes.
• Understand that kids this age don't want to stand out. The more they can participate in class activities - from sports to birthday parties - the less the differences will matter.
Help your school sponsor a walk for diabetes. The JDRF Kids Walk To Cure Diabetes School Walk Guide includes everything your school needs to stage a successful fundraiser, including flyers and classroom forms.
Babysitters and Overnights
When you leave your child with a sitter or when they attend an overnight with friends, it's important to provide the adult in charge with the same information you use to monitor and treat blood sugar. Before the event, talk to your child about his or her responsibilities during the time they'll be on their own.
If you're having a babysitter or family member stay with your child, spend some time educating them in advance about how to administer a blood test, provide insulin, and handle a blood sugar low. Then have them "babysit" once while you're home - kind of a dry run to make everyone feel more comfortable.
In addition, provide written instructions including schedules for eating, testing, and medications, as well as phone numbers for you and your doctor. Our printable guide makes it easy to remember all the details.
If you're having trouble finding a qualified babysitter, ask around. Talk to other parents in a diabetes support group. Ask your doctor about teenage patients who know the ropes and might be interested in sitting. Or ask your local nursing school or American Diabetes Association chapter for a referral.
Diabetes Camp
Diabetes camp can be a wonderful way for your child to enjoy some time away with friends in a safe, nurturing environment. Even the counselors have experience with diabetes self-care. At first, some kids may think this sounds like a week-long diabetes lecture, but you can assure your child that it's nothing of the sort. At diabetes camp, your child will swim, play, and get dirty - and they'll be just like everyone else.
• Look into camps in your area by contacting the American Diabetes Association or visiting the Diabetes Camping Association's website at www.diabetescamps.org.
• Assure your child that they don't have to stay more than one night if they don't want to. After the first night, they'll be hooked.