Sending Your Child to School with Type 1 Diabetes

By: SaRene Brooks

4 Things You Need to Know

Sending a child to school with type 1 diabetes can tricky. Whether this is a new experience or something you have done several times, there are many important things to consider. Here are some tips to help the school year be a success.

1 - CREATE

Create a formal 504 plan so that your child has the support they need while at school. This should include details of the personalized accommodations that are needed for your child. These can be adapted and changed as needs change throughout the school year. The end goal is to help your child thrive at school. But remember, have a 504 plan in place BEFORE you need the 504 plan!

Create a diabetes kit that your child has access to at all times. If your child leaves the school for things such as field trips, it MUST go with them. It should contain testing supplies, glucose tablets or some form of “fast carb”, glucagon, healthy snacks and insulin.

2 - COMMUNICATE

Communicate with who is responsible for your child’s management needs. This could include a nurse, the teacher, a faculty member or the child themself. Be sure that more than one person is aware of how to help your child.

Communicate with your child and other faculty members so they are fully aware of how to handle events such as dosing for lunch and snacks and treating high and low blood sugars.

3 - EDUCATE

Educate as many at school as possible. You can never have too many people on your child’s diabetes team. This would include teachers, administrators, coaches and other students. Help them understand the specific needs of your child and ways they can help.

Educate your child on how to advocate for themself. They should always be allowed to use any device that assists in their blood glucose management. No matter the situation, they always need access to their diabetes kit. If your child is ever denied the things required to manage their diabetes, it is okay for them to speak up.

4 - DELEGATE

Delegate the responsibility of your child’s care in an appropriate way. Start with your child. Allow them to take on self-care at a level appropriate for them. Even the smallest of tasks at the beginning will lead to improved self-efficacy as they grow in age and understanding.

Delegate responsibilities to allow others to help. Be sure they are clear on their role and have had adequate instruction to be effective. Help them utilize the technology that is available and keep a clear line of communication.

Allow your child to flourish by helping them adjust to diabetes when they are around peers and away from home. The more direct the planning, the more likely you and your child are to have a positive experience. Have realistic expectations of what the school can do and work together as a team to do what is best for your child.

Goal Nutrition and Diabetes Specialty offers a variety of resources to help your child succeed at school with type 1 diabetes. These specialized services include virtual learning sessions with parents and child, handouts and webinars or live virtual sessions with school staff. Check our website and schedule a meet-up at no charge. We can get to know each other and discuss services that will meet your needs.

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.