Guidelines for Parents of Children with Diabetes
The Peel District School Board recognizes that there are students within the school system who have Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes. Diabetes mellitus is a disease resulting from a lack of insulin action. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas. Without insulin, carbohydrates (starch and sugars) in the food we eat cannot be converted into stored energy (called blood glucose or blood sugar) required to sustain life. Instead, unused glucose accumulates in the blood and spills out into the urine.
In Type 1 diabetes, the pancreas is unable to produce insulin and injections of insulin are essential. Type 2 diabetes comprises 90% of diabetes in Canada. It usually develops in adulthood, although recently increasing numbers of children in high-risk populations are being diagnosed. In Type 2 diabetes the pancreas may produce some insulin, but the body is unable to use the insulin that is produced effectively. Type 2 diabetes may be controlled with diet and exercise or with oral medication. Eventually, people with Type 2 diabetes may need insulin.
Responsibilities of the parents/guardians of a student with diabetes
- Inform the school principal and teacher of the child's diabetes
- Arrange a meeting with the school prior to the first day the child attends school and provide information related to the child's diabetic condition (assist the school in completing A Student Management Plan (Appendix C)
- Provide the school with physician's instructions for administering medication by completing (Appendix A)
- *Complete the Hypoglycemia Emergency Plan (Appendix B)
- Provide the school with any updated information including emergency contacts and telephone numbers and changes in medical conditions
- Provide support to the school and teachers as requested
- Provide your child with a Medic Alert identification bracelet
- Provide and maintain a supply of fast-acting sugar, e.g. oral glucose, orange juice, etc. at school
- Provide a safe container for glucose monitoring items and insulin injection items and medication labeled with your child's name for transport and storage requirements
- Teach your child:
- to understand the causes, identification, prevention and treatment of low blood glucose
- (age appropriate)
- to recognize the first symptoms of low blood glucose
- to communicate clearly to adults that they have diabetes and when they are feeling unwell
- to be responsible for all treatment apparatus, including proper disposal medical materials
- to eat only foods approved by their parents
- to take as much responsibility as possible for their own safety
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