Q: Our daughter was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes over the
summer. It's now almost time for back-to-school, and we're
gearing up for a meeting with her teachers and the nurse. How do
we explain her needs? What kind of help can we expect from the
school? A: I like to tell parents of children with type 1
diabetes that fostering a safe, enriching environment for their
son or daughter at school really comes down to three key steps:
preparation, education, and communication. It sounds like you've
already been in touch with your child's school to let them know
about the diagnosis. Next contact your child's diabetes care
team to develop the medical management plan, and bring it with
you to the meeting with the school to create the 504 Plan to
spell out the accommodations your child needs at school
(including things like blood sugar monitoring and receiving
insulin injections at school). Meeting with the school gives you
the opportunity to lay out your child's specific needs and to
hear how these needs will be met.