Diabetes Info

Caring for a Diabetic Child

January 20th, 2008 | by admin |

Taking care of a diabetic child can be a very challenging task. Your child requires special care in the form of food at regular intervals, blood tests, urine tests, and insulin injections. It is very important to maintain your child’s blood sugar level between 4 and 7 millimoles per liter to prevent health complications in future. 

All parents of diabetic children should know about federal laws that protect diabetic children from discrimination in schools and child care centers. The “504” plan, in particular, incorporates laws that protect people with disabilities, and that includes diabetes. Visit the American Diabetes Association Web site for more information. 

Schools and child care centers are required by law to provide for the special needs of diabetic children. They must provide qualified people who can check the child’s blood sugar level, give insulin injections, treat hypoglycemia and hypoglycemia, and take general care of the child. Moreover, diabetic children should be provided a safe place to store their medication, and sufficient privacy to receive treatment. The children should be allowed to participate actively in the activities of the school. 

Work with your child’s school or care center to create a care plan that meets your child’s needs. The school should have the contact numbers of the child’s parents or doctor in case of emergencies. See that there is a stock of all the material and equipment your child requires in the school. Check the expiry dates of the supplies your child has at school at regular intervals.

Parents of diabetic children do not have to despair. You are not alone. Take the help and guidance of the large number of diabetes health professionals available. They can teach you more about the disease, its treatment, and control. They can also help you take better care of your child. Talk to a diabetes health professional regularly about the progress your child is making.