Your Child's Diabetes Care Team

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The core of your child's diabetes team is you and your family. Add to that a collection of knowledgeable, caring medical professionals, and you are well on your way to creating a diabetes team that works for your child.

Doctor(s)

Your child's doctor may be a diabetes specialist, pediatrician, general practitioner, or internist who has experience caring for people with diabetes. When you choose a doctor, don't be afraid to ask detailed questions about the doctor's diabetes experience and general philosophy. Make sure that both your and your child feel comfortable asking the doctor questions, and that you understand the doctor's explanations.

Diabetes Educator

A Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE) is trained to help you and your child learn about diabetes and make adjustments in diabetes care. A diabetes educator can give you and your child a better understanding of the biology of diabetes, practical help in fitting diabetes care into your lifestyle and practice in the correct techniques for giving injections or checking blood glucose. If your child's doctor doesn't refer you to a diabetes educator automatically, ask about it. Your doctor can probably recommend a diabetes educator in your area or call the American Diabetes Association at 1-800-DIABETES.

Dietitian

A dietitian is an expert in food and nutrition. He or she can help you and your child create and stick to a healthy eating plan. It's a good idea to consult a dietitian at least once a year to get help in adapting your child's eating plan as she grows or whenever her diabetes treatment changes.

Mental Health Professional

Diabetes can be hard to deal with. A counselor, psychologist, psychiatrist, or social worker can be a big help. Your child (and perhaps the rest of the family) can talk to a mental health professional about dealing with diabetes and other things in life.

Eye Doctor

Children with diabetes should get their eyes checked by an ophthalmologist or an optometrist after three to five years of having diabetes and regularly thereafter.

Exercise Specialist

If your child is having trouble fitting exercise into her diabetes care, an exercise specialist could help.

Podiatrist

People with diabetes sometimes develop problems with their feet. If this happens to your child, the doctor may refer you to a podiatrist for help.

Pharmacist

Your pharmacist can help you learn mes. A pharmacist can help you choose the diabetes supplies -- like a glucose meter, syringes, and finger-pricking device -- that are right for your child.