Learn what to do to control your child's disease during class days.
In the United States, most educational centers have trained personnel - including teachers and nurses - who can help their diabetic child with their daily medical needs, and can assist it in the case of an emergency.
In addition, there is a government program called Plan 504, established under the Federal Disability Act, which protects children who go to school with special needs.
"The greatest concern of the parents is to know that their child will be sure at school during the 7 hours that passes there.
Diabetes is very variable, and there are many decisions to be made through the day, but we must be calm, because people in school know what they have to do, "says Mila Ferrer, whose son, Jaime, was diagnosedwith type 1 diabetes at 3 years.
Today, with 11 years, Jaime is preparing to go to the seventh grade in a few days and his mother already knows very well the routine to follow to prepare it for a new school year.
"In August, before starting school, they usually tell us in advance who is going to be the teacher, and we must start a relationship with her in time. We have to have meetings and present all the information and medical reports about how he is going toHandling your child's diabetes, "says Ferrer.
Dr. Penelope Pauley, pediatric endocrinologist at Florida Hospital For Children, in Orlando, indicates that when a student is diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, the team situation must be faced."It is not just the doctor's work. You have to meet at school with parents, teachers, nurse and school health assistant. Also with the physical education teacher."
"A plan should be received from the endocrinologist, on the doses of insulin that the child should receive at lunchtime, which is when they are in school," says the pediatrician.
In addition, he advises to place a bracelet or some type of medical identification so that everyone in school knows that it is a patient with diabetes, which expedes the help if there is any problem.
Take care of the youngest
The smaller the child-especially those who attend pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten and until the second degree-the more help you will need in school, because there are many things that you will not be able to do alone.
"When the glucose check (blood sugar) is, because insulin is a very powerful hormone when injected, "says Ferrer.
Another factor that teachers should take into account are the symptoms that this disease produces in the little ones such as constant thirst, frequent desire to urinate and lack of attention.
"The child who lives with diabetes should not be penalized because he needs to go to the bathroom frequently or because he needs extra time to check the sugar or receive insulin," explains Pauley.
These students also require more time for their exams, because they need recess to go to the bathroom or because they have high sugar and stress emotionally.
When there are emergencies
Children suffering from type 1 diabetes could suffer an emergency known as severe hypoglycemia, when blood sugar level is too low.This could cause them a fainting, leave them unconscious or interrupt their motor skills.
In general, in this type of situation a hormone that is called "glucagon" must be inject.
"Every school thatHe receives state funds, is obliged to have trained personnel on how to handle an emergency such as hypoglycemia, "says the doctor.
"It does not necessarily have to be a nurse or a school health assistant. He can be a teacher or someone who works as a volunteer. But he must be trained for that," he clarifies.
Education is key
With all the experience in the subject, Ferrer has dedicated himself to educating other Latin parents through his "families with diabetes" foundation, and also advises teachers to learn to handle situations that may arise with theirstudents suffering from this condition.Diabetes can be controlled, thanks to all existing medicines and a child can lead a normal and prolonged life.
The 504 plan
Section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Law is designed to help parents with physical or mental impediments in public schools, or in private schools that depend on public funds, to work with teachers in order to designPersonalized education plans.These 504 plans legally allow students to be treated precisely in school.
In the case of children with type 1 diabetes, Plan 504 allows them to go to the bathExams, put can be very stressed and nervous.
figures
13,000 children are diagnosed with type 1 diabetes every year, in the United States.
1 million American and adult children fight against that disease daily.
