4 Tips on How to Talk to Your Child’s School About Their Diabetes

A great way to relieve some of the initial stress is to talk to your child’s school about diabetes. It’s a great idea to have this conversation at the beginning of the school year or after their diabetes diagnosis so that you can communicate your child’s needs and explain what to do in an emergency. With the school on board, your child will get the support they need, and you’ll be able to worry a little less. 

Tip #1: Set Up a Meeting

First thing first. Set up a meeting with a member school staff to inform them about your child’s diabetes. While your mind may go immediately to the school nurse, it’s also a good idea to include:

• Your child’s teachers
• The school principal and other administration
• Playground supervisors
• Lunchroom employees
• Sports coaches
• Bus drivers
• After-school activities advisors

Tip #2: Give the School Detailed Information

At the meeting, make sure you provide the school staff with thorough and detailed information about your child’s diabetes. There’s a lot of misinformation out there and it’s common for people to mix up the two different types of diabetes. Make sure you’re able to provide all the necessary information that will enable school staff to support your child. 

Some of the basic information you should provide includes:

• Your contact information and emergency contact information
• Your child’s basic information, including which type of diabetes they have
• Contact information for your child’s doctor
• A guide to when and how your child’s blood sugar must be checked
• The symptoms of low blood sugar in your child
• How to treat low blood sugar in your child
• Symptoms of high blood sugar your child displays
• How high blood sugar should be treated in your child
• When they need to call for emergency medical help

Also give school staff information about insulin therapy for your child, such as:

• The type of insulin they use
• When your child needs to receive insulin
• Whether they’re using fixed or adjustable insulin therapy

You’ll also want to let the team know about your child’s meal plan. This includes when they need to eat meals, when they should have snacks, and how many carbs they should have. And don’t forget about preparing for activities like sports. Tell the staff that in situations like these, it’s important to have a fast-acting sugar source on hand.

Tip #3: Provide Diabetes Supplies

You’ll need to provide enough diabetes supplies for your child to manage their blood sugar at school. Talk to your doctor about getting some extra supplies so you have enough both at home and at school.

Diabetes supplies that should be on hand at school include:

• Vials of insulin (ensure the nurse and other staff know they need to be stored in the fridge)
• Pen needles or syringes (even if your child has a pump, this should be on hand as a backup)
• Glucose meter
• Lancing device, lancets, test strips and extra batteries
• Glucagon
• Glucose tabs or other supplies to treat low blood sugar
• Continuous glucose monitoring supplies and insulin pump supplies (if your child uses these devices)
• Alcohol wipes

Tip #4: Help Your Child Talk to Their Classmates

Along with talking to the school staff, it’s also helpful if your child’s classmates are in-the-know about their diabetes. Start with talking to your child. Find out if your child is comfortable with their classmates knowing they have diabetes. If they are, come up with a plan together on how to tell them. 

Explaining to other kids that diabetes isn’t contagious and that it simply means the body doesn’t have enough insulin is a great place to start. Let them know that having diabetes means eating healthy foods and taking insulin injections.

It’s also helpful for your child’s friends to know the symptoms of high and low blood sugar in your child. That way they can tell an adult if your child needs help. 

Managing your child’s diabetes at school becomes easier when you get everyone involved. When you work together with your child’s school staff, they can become great allies when it comes to your child’s diabetes management, which means you can relax knowing your little one is in good hands. 

Sources

About Kids Health, 2017.Diabetes in the classroom. [webpage] Available at: https://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/article?contentid=2517&language=english [Accessed 07/06/21].

Diabetes.org. 2016. Helping the Student with Diabetes Succeed:

A Guide for School Personnel. [webpage] Available at: https://www.diabetes.org/sites/default/files/2020-02/NDEP-School-Guide-Full-508.pdf [Accessed 07/06/21].

Center for Disease Control and Prevention. 2021. Managing Diabetes at School. [webpage] Available at:  https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/library/features/managing-diabetes-at-school.html [Accessed 07/06/21].

Children’s Hospital and Medical Center, 2019. How To Support Your Child At School When They Have Diabetes [webpage] Available at: https://www.childrensomaha.org/department/endocrinology-diabetes/diabetes-patient-education/diabetes-in-school/ [Accessed 07/06/21].