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Diabetes Care at School
from BD Diabetes.com
While at school, children may need help with the management of their diabetes care programs, including:
Testing and monitoring their blood glucose levels Maintaining their daily insulin regimen Being on the lookout for signs of high and low blood sugar Eating regular amounts and calories of food on a regular schedule
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Your Principal or local board of education can tell you the diabetes care policies of your child's school. School administrators, nurses, teachers, bus drivers, coaches, and food service personnel play important roles in helping to make your child's efforts successful. By taking an active role, you can make sure that your child gets the care he or she needs at school.
Areas where school policies differ include:
- Whether or not students are allowed to test their blood sugar levels in the classroom, gymnasium or cafeteria
- Locations in the school where insulin injections may be given
- Storage areas in the school where diabetes supplies can be kept
- The amount of diabetes management education to be given to school personnel
- The amount of assistance and participation to be provided by school personnel in diabetes care
- Rules regarding the disposal of syringes, pen needles and lancets
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In its policy statement concerning the care of children with diabetes in the school or day care setting, the American Diabetes Association states that schools and day care providers should provide the following:
- All adults who provide education or care for the student should be trained on the symptoms and treatment of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia. An adult and back-up adult should be trained to 1) perform fingerstick blood glucose monitoring and record the results, 2) take appropriate actions for blood glucose levels outside of the target range indicated in the student's care plan, and 3) test the urine or blood for ketones, when necessary, and respond to the results of this test.
- Immediate accessibility to the treatment of hypoglycemia by a knowledgeable adult. The student should remain supervised until appropriate treatment has been administered, and the treatment should be available as close as possible to the student's location.
- A location in the school to provide privacy during testing and insulin administration, if desired by the student and family. Permission for the student to check his or her blood glucose level and to take appropriate action to treat hypoglycemia in the classroom or anywhere the student is in conjunction with a school activity.
- Permission for the student to see school medical personnel upon request.
- Permission for the student to eat a snack anywhere, including the classroom or the school bus, if necessary to prevent or treat hypoglycemia.
- Permission to miss school without consequences for required medical appointments to monitor the student's diabetes management. This should be an excused absence with a doctor's note, if required by usual school policy.
- Permission for the student to use the restroom and have access to fluids such as water, as necessary.
- An appropriate location for insulin and/or glucagons storage, if necessary.
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