Schoolkids can thrive with chronic conditions like asthma

Schoolkids can thrive with chronic conditions like asthma


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Backpack: check. Books and binder: check. Homework: check. Lunch: check… Hopefully by now, you've got the "get ready for a school day routine" down pat – at least most of the time.

However, some parents have another item or two on their mental checklist that helps to make sure their children are well prepared for a good day at school. Here are some of them: Rescue inhaler: check. Blood sugar meter: check. Insulin and syringes: check. EpiPen: check. Gluten-free treat: check. Nut-free snack: check.

According to the National Health, Lung and Blood Institute, "chronic conditions affect at least 10 to 15 percent of American children." While allergies and asthma are the most common, many kids are also affected by diabetes, celiac disease and severe allergies to nuts and other foods as well as cerebral palsy and seizure disorders.

If your child is among them, you've likely already helped them to develop good habits for managing the condition. If your schoolkid is newly diagnosed with a chronic condition or you're looking for ideas to help a youngster to stay happy and well at school, read on!

The following information could be beneficial to parents who do not have a child with a chronic condition. Helping children to understand classmates who breathe in medicine from a weird container, prick their fingers several times a day, say no to the yummiest of treats, etc. can build important skills like friendship, empathy, compassion and even advocacy.

Dr. Isabel C. Lau, pediatrician at MountainStar Ogden Pediatrics, offers four suggestions to help young children manage health concerns away from home:

1. Help them understand how to take good care of their bodies

Teach them to recognize symptoms early. Use simple terms like, "You will cough a lot and it will be hard to breathe – like you've been running for a long time."

Give them words to communicate when they need help in a "red-alert manner." Talk about when they would use that message and practice saying it.

Children with chronic conditions can find themselves in uncomfortable situations that can set them apart from their friends and classmates. They may have to stand on the sidelines, spend time in the nurse's office, or turn down things that are detrimental to their health. Talk about how they can best manage these situations and act out a few scenarios to build their confidence.

Living with a chronic condition can become more difficult as the child becomes an adolescent. So prepare your preteens and teens for peer pressure situations just as you would teach them how to turn down an invitation to smoke or drink alcohol.

Photo credit: Shutterstock
Photo credit: Shutterstock

2. Educate and empower your children

Help them to understand what actually happens to their bodies if they don't follow their treatment plan. Talk about why it is important to prevent an episode like an asthma attack, and how they might feel if it happens, "You won't want to leave your friends and go to the emergency room."

Your child will become empowered as they develop a deeper understanding of their chronic condition. Ultimately, they'll be on the way to becoming a stronger and more self-confident human being.

Finding a celebrity or famous athlete who has the same chronic disease can help some children to feel less "different." For example, Nick Jonas suffers from diabetes, David Beckham suffers from asthma and Serena Williams is allergic to peanuts.

Understanding how they can help people with similar conditions can empower children and build their self-esteem. Encourage them to seek opportunities to educate others by giving a presentation about their condition at school, church, etc.

Photo credit: Shutterstock
Photo credit: Shutterstock

3. Give them ownership of their health

Dr. Lau points out that when children have asthma, they should be responsible for taking their inhaler to school each day. Parents can help them to establish good habits by empowering them with knowledge and teaching self-sufficiency. Holding them accountable and rewarding them with a big hug helps too.

"Between kindergarten until fourth grade, young kids need help administering medications like albuterol or testing their blood sugar," cautions Dr. Lau. "During these years, it's important to establish a strong partnership with your child's teacher and others who will help you to ensure wellbeing at school."

4. Establish a clear channel of communication with the child's school

Two-way communication is critical. It's helps teachers, school nurses and parents to share feedback and better ensure that a child's chronic condition is under control at school. Dr. Lau says that emails work well for most of the parents she knows.

Healthychildren.org provides some great information on how parents of children with chronic conditions can work with schools. It recommends providing written documentation outlining a plan for everyday health and for an emergency, among other helpful suggestions.

At MountainStar Healthcare, we encourage parents of children with chronic conditions to work closely with their pediatricians to achieve the best health possible. Happier days at school are bound to follow.

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