How to keep your asthmatic child safe at school

Is your child asthmatic? Are you worried about their welfare in school? If you have answered ‘yes’ to any of these questions, this is the right place to be. Millions of people are diagnosed with asthma each year and many of these new diagnoses occur in children.

Whether your child was born with asthma or they developed it at a later age, it can be very worrying for you to send them off to school whereby anything can happen at any time. In order to lower the risks of your child getting an asthmatic attack at school, there are certain ways that you can prepare your child and prepare the school so as to ensure that they are safe and well-monitored throughout the day.

1. How to prepare your child

There are several ways that you can prepare your child so as to prevent asthmatic attacks at school. Some of these measures include:

1. a) Ensure that they always carry their preventer inhaler and peak flow meter to school. If your doctor prescribed a spacer, make sure that they carry it as well. You could label the medication with their name and the appropriate dosage so that your child doesn’t forget. Educate them on the importance of keeping their medicine safe at all times as well as the dangers of sharing medication with other children.
2. b) Make sure that your child is warm at all times especially in the morning. This prevents asthmatic attacks which are triggered by cold weather.
3. c) Educate your child on the symptoms that they will experience at the onset of an asthmatic attack. Encourage them to inform their teacher or supervisor incase these symptoms arise. It is easier to manage an asthmatic attack at the onset rather than when it has progressed and worsened.
4. How to prepare the school

You should involve various members of the school staff so as to keep your child safe and healthy.

1. a) Principal- Take them a doctor’s letter which states your child’s condition and the various precautions that should be taken to avoid an asthmatic attack. You should also include emergency phone numbers that should be called in case of a severe attack.
2. b) Class teacher- If your child is too young to use the inhaler on their own, show the teacher how to administer their medication. Also inform them about the frequency and dosage. You could also request them to keep your child away from chalkboard dust.
3. c) School nurse- Give them your child’s asthma action plan and also ensure that they have the appropriate asthma treatment medication nearby in case of an emergency.
4. d) School caterer- Inform them about any trigger foods that could cause an asthmatic attack in your child. Request them to allow your child to carry a packed lunch and if this is not possible, inquire about the possibility of them preparing a special meal for your child.
5. e) Gym teacher- Give them a copy of your child’s asthma action plan and inform them about any physical activities that your child should avoid. If your child is allergic to dust, request if they can be excused from field events.

Bio

Anna Rivers is a registered nurse who has worked in several schools and children’s hospitals. She has amassed a large amount of experience regarding how to manage pulmonary conditions in children especially when administering asthma treatment.