Sending Your Child With Diabetes To School

As the new school year approaches or is already here, it’s important to prepare to send your child with diabetes to school. Trying to prepare for class, new binders, pencils, and reviewing the new curriculum is probably the last thing on your mind.

What is on your mind is if your child has their diabetes supplies all organized. If the school staff and teacher are fully aware of your child’s condition. If there will be a nurse always available, and if the school knows how to contact you.

It’s worrisome to have to wonder the what “if”s that comes with diabetes. School should be a place of learning and growth. It’s hard to adapt when diabetes can sometimes become a distraction. But there are ways to help create a safer foundation for you and your child. The 504 plan is a law put in place ensure rights to diabetics attending school. These are legal documents that provide a clear cut plan and directive for your child’s care.

For instance, if the nurse isn’t available, the child’s teacher would be accessed on how to care for your child. It gives a thorough report on how well their control is, how often to check blood sugars, what actions needs to take place in certain circumstance, all of which to meet their individual needs.

What’s even better is this helps ensure they receive necessary breaks without penalty. The child may use the restroom, check blood sugar, and eat a snack, and continue with school activities when able to. For older children in middle or high school who takes tests are allowed “stop the clock” where their grades will not be affected when having to pause to care for their diabetes.

This basically closes the gap between what’s allowed and what’s unlawful in school. In order to be eligible there needs to be shown documented proof of medical condition by their doctor. This will then pave the way for what to expect each day your child attends school. It ensures your child is able to participate in all normal activities, while still receiving the highest care they need and deserve.

Verbal communication can sometimes get misconstrued. But this lays everything on the line, and it’s a law that all federal funding schools must obey. It helps protect children and teens in school with diabetes in order to receive an exceptional education.  

These forms can be obtained here.

**Be sure to contact your physician with further questions or concerns.