Back to School with Diabetes: Preparing Daily Care

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Going to school with diabetes means expanding your care team. Here's how to set your child up for success and safety. 

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The end of summer break is bittersweet. Long, warm leisurely days fade away as fall and the start of the school year approaches.

With diabetes, getting ready for the academic year requires more than just buying stationery supplies and new shoes. The start of the K-12 school year also means major changes to your child’s daily diabetes care routine. 

Depending on their age and level of experience managing diabetes, your child will likely take on a more active role in their daily diabetes management. Instead of parents and familiar caregivers being close by, when needed they’ll look to teachers and school staff for help. 

Under federal law (specifically the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, a.k.a. ADA; and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, a.k.a. Section 504) any student with a disability has the right to receive the care and assistance needed so that they have full access to the activities, services, and benefits provided by the school – both in the classroom and extracurricular. 

These rights apply to students with diabetes and are the responsibility of every public and private K-12 school that receives federal financial assistance.

Teachers & School Staff Will Join Your Child’s Diabetes Care Team

Your student will be surrounded by a new group of adults – in the classroom, on the playground, and during field trips. With the proper preparations these adults will be there to help your student manage their diabetes throughout the school day.

While teachers and school staff take their responsibility for student safety seriously, they may not be familiar with the particulars of diabetes and diabetes care. For this they may need some instruction or guidance.

At a minimum teachers and staff members who come into regular contact with a student with diabetes should be able to:

• Recognize the symptoms of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia, and be able to respond appropriately
• Understand the importance of checking glucose levels and be able to assist the student, when needed, in checking and responding to glucose readings
• Be familiar with the student’s regular diabetes care routine, including medications, and be able to assist the student, when needed
• Allow the student to eat, drink, and visit the restroom, as needed
• Make modifications to testing schedules and/or assignment due dates, when needed because of diabetes symptoms or medical appointments

A 504 Plan Documents Appropriate Support for Diabetes Care at School

Putting a 504 Plan in place will help ensure that care guidelines and safeguards are in place for your child at school.

A written agreement between the school and parents/guardians, the 504 Plan details the services and modifications the student needs along with the level of diabetes training that school staff member(s) will receive. The 504 Plan also documents what diabetes supplies and equipment will be kept on hand at school, including which will be kept with the student and which are stored elsewhere.

Parents/guardians can initiate the 504 planning process by contacting the school. One of the first steps in this process is establishing the student’s eligibility. This will likely require documentation of diagnosis and the student’s current treatment plan from your child’s medical care team.

While templates are available, each 504 Plan must be developed individually so that it reflects the specific needs of the student.

Set Your Child Up for Educational Success While Keeping Them Safe

The beginning of the school year, whether your child is going to school for the first time or changing grades, presents a significant transition point in your child’s diabetes journey. By partnering with their teachers and school staff and developing a 504 Plan, together you can set your child up for educational success and benefit from all the school has to offer. 

For further information:

American Diabetes Association - Safe at School  

American Diabetes Association - Section 504 Plan