Living with Diabetes
Diabetes Care at School
Diabetes management is a round-the-clock job.
For children and teens who take insulin, that means managing diabetes at school, as they do at home. It also means that they will need adults who are willing and able to assist them as needed.
Each student with diabetes has different needs and each will have an individualized care plan. However, the basics of disease management are similar.
The goal is to keep blood glucose in control by balancing food, medication, and physical activity.
The routine includes careful tracking of food, especially carbohydrates, monitoring of physical activity, insulin or medication dosing and several daily blood glucose checks.
Diabetes care is a team effort.
Learn how to be part of the team.
Find Resources and Tools for Care at School.
Safe at School
The Safe at School Campaign helps families of children with diabetes overcome barriers at school and ensure a safe learning environment.
Legal Protections
The development of a written accommodations and care plan developed under federal disability law is the best way to ensure that diabetes needs are met in a way that maximizes safety, health, learning and participation.
Special Considerations
Many children with diabetes will have specific needs in certain situations. This section will help plan for those situations.
Resolving Challenges
When conflicts about care at school arise, it is often because parents and schools have different understandings about care at school.
School Staff Training
The school nurse is vital in coordinating and providing diabetes care at school. S/he also has the responsibility and training to implement the student's individual diabetes care plan.
Written Care Plans
Creating a plan for how diabetes will be managed at school should be a team effort that includes school staff, families, and health care providers
Classroom Lessons
Find classroom lesson plans to learn more about diabetes, healthy foods and exercise.
