|
Psychological, social and financial issues
Nursery, school and college
- Diabetes should not alter a child’s academic potential
- Diabetes should not be the cause for being excluded from any type of activity nor for non-attendance at nursery, school or college
- Education and the social integration within schools and colleges is of fundamental importance
School staff require advice to ensure that the following priorities are understood
- Safety is paramount especially when participating in sports, school excursions or camps
- Any discrimination or stigmatization is unacceptable
- Full participation and opportunities in all academic, social and sporting activities should be encouraged
- Development of self-esteem and confidence in school activities is likely to have positive effects on the management of diabetes
Parents should be able to visit their child’s school and with members of the diabetes care team provide information on
- Recognition and management of hypoglycemia (including advice on emergency treatment for loss of consciousness, seizures or severe vomiting, and to provide emergency telephone numbers)
- Avoiding delays in meals and snacks
- Allowing extra snacks or drinks occasionally at different times from the child’s peers and particularly in relation to exercise/sport
- Allowing children taking academic examinations to eat a snack or measure the BG level
- Encouraging the young child to eat all carbohydrate requirements at appropriate times
- Encouraging younger children to report hypoglycemia to staff
- Encouraging parents and children to discuss diabetes openly with peers, school staff and friends
Recommendations
- A supply of rapidly absorbed sugar must be immediately available
in the child’s classroom or place of work
- During or following hypoglycemia at school a child must not be
left unaccompanied or be expected to walk to a ‘medical room’
- Teachers should be aware that cognitive function may be affected
for some hours after hypoglycemia
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
