Talking about diabetes at school

Whether your child eats snacks or checks her blood glucose levels in the classroom or nurse's office, her classmates may want to know why. Your child or her teacher can probably answer their questions by simply saying a few words about diabetes.

Many of you child's classmates may want to know more about diabetes. This is a good opportunity for your child to teach her friends and other students about diabetes. However, the decision of how and when to tell classmates and how many details to include is up to her. You may want to encourage her gently to be open about her diabetes. Here are some options that you or your child might consider:

• Talk to the class about diabetes. This could be for an assignment, such as a science project of for a speech class. Or her teacher(s) may allow it as a special presentation for the class.
• Your child may want to invite her diabetes educator to class.
• She may decide to go with a more low-key option - answering questions from classmates as they come up.
• Whatever options your child chooses, provide her with age-appropriate materials to give to friends and classmates as needed. Ask your diabetes educator for suggestions.
• Sometimes children with diabetes want to keep their diabetes a secret from as many people as possible. They may feel that diabetes is something to be ashamed of (especially if they have the mistaken idea that diabetes is their fault). Or they may be afraid of appearing different from their friends and classmates. If your child is newly diagnosed, it just may take some time and encouragement for her to accept her diabetes. But if she remains overly secretive (or if her secrecy becomes a danger to her health), it may be helpful to consult a mental health professional with expertise in children with diabetes.
• Finally, keep in mind that every child is different. How open your child is about her diabetes - at school and in the rest of her life - depends on her personality and her attitude toward diabetes.

Additional Resources:

ARTHUR® Dealing with Diabetes - Learn how Arthur can help you and your child at school. Receive your free copy of the ARTHUR lesson plan, "Dealing with Diabetes."

ADA School Walk for Diabetes - Create greater awareness about diabetes at your child's school in a positive way - plus earn up to 15 percent back for school medical supplies and PE equipment.

In This Issue

• Issue Cover
• Back to School
• Type 2 in Youth
• Diabetes at School
• Diabetes Control for Life
• Lemon Squares
• Q & A

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