Be Sure to Have a Plan
- goalnutritiondiabe
- Oct 16, 2023
- 4 min read
Updated: Mar 7
By: SaRene Brooks
There are legal documents that define accommodations needed for your child with diabetes while they are at school. There are also supporting resources that will help your child thrive at school with type 1 diabetes.
Sending your child to school with type 1 diabetes can be overwhelming and stressful. However, there are tools in place to help you, your child and the school all have a common and clear understanding of how your child’s diabetes can be managed during the school day. The important part is COMMUNICATION. Be sure everyone on the team is aware of the plan that is in place to help with your child's diabetes management while they are at school.
504 Plan
A 504 plan is part of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. It is used to outline specific actions the school will take to provide safety for a student with diabetes and allows full access to education. A 504 plan should be individualized with specific guidelines so that the parents, student and faculty are all clear on the responsibilities and expectations of each.
There is a broad range of modifications that can be included in a 504 plan and should contain those that are appropriate for age and self-management abilities of the student. All 504 plans should define protocol for school staff to recognize and treat high and low blood sugars in a way that aligns with the student’s Diabetes Medical Management Plan (see below).
Some school districts may have their own 504 plan. If not, there is an additional handout that lists significant items that can be included in the 504 plan. The important part is that it contains specific and personalized accommodations for the student that will allow them to have access to education while safely meeting their diabetes needs.
IEP
The Individualized Education Program is for students with a disability who have specialized educational needs. These students qualify for services under the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act (IDEA). An IEP will define how the school is going to meet the student’s educational needs.
Members of the IEP team would include:
· The child’s parent or guardian
· Classroom teacher
· Special Education teacher
· School district representative
· Person qualified to interpret the IEP evaluation results
· Child if appropriate
If your child qualifies for an IEP it should also contain a plan for their diabetes management while at school. In this case, a 504 plan is not needed.
There are specific rules about what an IEP must contain, how it is developed and how it is reviewed. Often school districts will use their own form. An IEP must contain the following statements:
· The child’s current level of performance and how their dyability impacts their performance with general curriculum.
· Annual goals that are measurable. These should include benchmarks and short-term goals.
· What special services will be provided to accommodate the needs of the student.
· Any program adjustments and support form school staff that will be provided
· Any modifications that are needed in order for the child to participate in assessments and tests specific to the district and state.
· Description of how the student’s progress in goals will be measured.
DMMP
The Diabetes Medical Management Plan is created by you and your child’s healthcare team. It should be thoroughly reviewed by school staff and be used as a guideline for the management of your child’s diabetes while at school.
It explains the details of your child’s diabetes management including:
· Target blood glucose
· Protocol for correction of high and low blood sugar
· Your child’s specific low blood sugar symptoms and treatment
· Insulin and/or medications used
· Planning for meals and snacks at school
· A plan for adjustments to accommodate physical activity and sports
This can be updated as needs change and should be reviewed prior to the start of each school year. Often your healthcare provider will have a DMMP that can be filled out. There are also other templates created by diabetes-related organizations that can be used. Just be sure it includes all important information related to your child’s care.
Quick Guide & Action Plan
This can be used for all school staff who will be interacting with your child in any way. It gives a brief overview of the basic management for your child including recognizing the signs of low blood sugar and how to treat it. It should be individualized for your child so the best approach can be taken.
These plans may change throughout the school year as your child's needs change. Work with your child's healthcare professionals and the school to keep documents up to date. Then always review them at the start of each new school year. As your child grows in age and maturity, he/she can be given more responsibility in their own self-care. Do this be adding one small task at a time so that can learn and grow.
There are resources available to help with developing these plans.
If you would like to learn more, please schedule a Complimentary Meet-up by clicking the button below.
SaRene Brooks is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) and Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES). She is a mom of 3 boys who are now married which added 3 girls to her family. 2 of her sons live with type 1 diabetes (T1D). She specializes in helping families who are impacted by type 1 to adjust and make it a part of their everyday life , while enjoying the things they love.
She is the wife of an avid outdoorsman and loves spending time with him in the mountains. She is a grandma, creative cook, educator and loves to help individuals and families meet their health and nutrition goals.
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