A child with type I diabetes needs special care. And usually no one is better prepared to give it than mom or dad. But what happens when a child with type I diabetes heads off to school? Or when mom and dad need a break? The most prepared parents know that caring for diabetes in children takes a diabetes care team--other people who know about diabetes and know how to care for your child.
How To Build Your Child's Type I Diabetes Care Team
Start with family, friends or babysitters who can watch your child if an emergency arises or you just need a break. The local branch of the American Diabetes Association or an area hospital may offer diabetes-specific training for them.
Then, talk to teachers, coaches and the school nurse about your child's situation and how they can help. By law, a federally funded school has to accommodate your child's diabetes needs, but they might not know what those needs are until you communicate them.
What Everyone On Your Type I Diabetes Team Should Know
- The Importance of Blood Sugar Tests
It is incredibly important for children to check their blood sugar regularly so they can respond to high or low blood sugar levels quickly. Regular testing helps prevent dangerous complications, so care team members must remember to test when your child doesn't.
- The Ins and Outs of Insulin
Everyone on the type I diabetes care team should know what kind of insulin your child takes, how and when it's administered, and how it's stored. Make sure they know the protocol for needle disposal in your area (laws vary depending on where you live).
- How Insulin Works with a Meal Plan
Everyone on the team should know about your child's meal plan, including what types of food are allowed and when. They should understand how insulin, activity level, illness, and other factors effect your child's food needs.
- How to Handle Emergency Situations
This is crucial: Your child's other caretakers must know how to spot and treat the symptoms of dangerous complications like hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), hyperglycemia (high blood sugar), and ketoacidosis.
It may sound like a lot to ask, but getting others up to speed on diabetes can make time away from mom or dad go smoothly. And the more involved your child is in his or her own care, the better--they can feel empowered, and you can feel better knowing you're raising a diabetes expert.
