Managing Your Child’s Asthma in School

By Dr. Ronald I. Malcolm, EdD

ASTHMA IS SCARY! NO PARENT WANTS TO SEE THEIR CHILD GASPING FOR AIR IN ATTEMPTS TO BREATHE. HAVING YOUR ASTHMATIC CHILD LEAVE HOME EACH DAY TO ATTEND SHOOL CAN CAUSE ADDITIONAL ANXIETY FOR THE PARENT.

Here are 10 easy tips to assist with managing your child’s asthma during school.

1. Teach self-management

Often, parents rush to assist their child in treating an asthma attack. It almost becomes a “knee-jerk” reaction; the concept of a medical emergency can imply urgency to intervene. As a parent of two boys with asthma, I was quick to do the same thing. Then, I wondered what my children would do when experiencing an asthma attack if I was not there to assist them. To prepare them for such a scenario, I taught them inhalers are never to be used as a toy. I made sure they could handle the inhaler safely. We worked on how to explain to others in your immediate environment what was happening to you and how they could help. We also developed a calendar plan to know when to order more albuterol and check the current inhaler is not expired.

Teaching my kids with asthma to self-manage was difficult at first. I always wanted to “jump-in” and take care of everything. However, as they advanced from grade to grade in public school, I witnessed them become more independent. They gradually became capable of not relying on me in situations involving their asthma-related needs.

2. Develop a plan

It will be important for you and your child to work with an immunologist. In my community, we were fortunate to have an “asthma and allergy” clinic. Check with your pediatrician for further advice if your area doesn’t have such a clinic. They will be able to steer you in the right direction to get the assistance you and your child with asthma will need.

You’ll want to have a conversation with your child about exactly what happens to their body during an asthma attack. This may help them manage their own asthma as they become aware of symptoms that may lead up to an asthma attack. Changes in weather, stressful situations, etc. may be able to be addressed if recognized early.

3. Check the bookbag

For very young children, you may need to check their bookbag contains specific items before leaving for school every day. Having an asthma attack as you walk to school or are on a school bus requires your child to have access to proper supplies to deal with the attack. Without these supplies, a simple asthma attack can quickly become a life-threatening emergency.

4. Work with the school nurse

The nurse at your child’s school needs to become your new

“best friend.” Make certain extras of all supplies needed for your child’s asthma are in the nurse’s office. Work with the school nurse to address any special situations surrounding asthma in your family they need to be informed about. Keep them updated on current medications and any advice given to you by your pediatrician or asthma specialist.

5. Meet with teachers and coaches

Teachers and coaches are important people who interact with children daily. Ensure you meet with any authority figure your child spends time with and outline any asthma-management concerns involved in their programs. Keep in mind some teachers only interact with your child for a semester. So, ensure any teachers newly involved with your child after Christmas Break are also informed about your child’s asthma. Ask teachers and coaches how they plan to handle substitutes who come into school on days they are absent. Ensure your child’s medical condition, emergency medical plan, and your contact information are included in the lesson plans being given to the substitute teacher or coach for the day.

6. Work with non-medical personnel

A little bit of prevention can go a long way to assisting your child with asthma. Most parents like to focus their attention on school personnel such as teachers and nurses. While they are important individuals for ensuring successful treatment, there are others who should be considered as well. Work with the bus driver who picks up your child. Let them know what to do in the event of an asthma attack on the bus. Some parents have asked school districts to ensure their child is on an air-conditioned bus when traveling to and from school, especially if their child’s asthma is induced by warm weather or heat.

Neighbors and babysitters should know how to handle an asthma attack with your child, too. This is especially true if your child spends significant time at a specific neighbor’s home. Be certain to inform them of your child’s asthma needs and what to do should an emergency arise. Many parents with asthmatic children tend to rely on a specific babysitter they trained on how to handle their child’s medical condition effectively.

7. Create an IEP/504 plan/emergency plan if needed

If your child with asthma has an accompanying disability, they may receive special education services through their local school district. Be certain that under the “Health” section of their Individual Education Plan (IEP), you outline their asthma situation and how it is being treated.

Your child with asthma may not have any comorbid conditions. However, if their asthma is severe enough it causes them to miss school or be hospitalized, you will want to reach out to your child’s school and get a 504 plan in place for them. Some children who miss school due to their asthma for extended periods of time fall behind academically. Placing them on a 504 plan will assist teachers and staff in knowing if work packets need to be sent home, when deadlines should be extended for projects, and if group work can be waived. While an IEP ensures services are provided through special education, the 504 plan helps your child receive a quality level of learning support through general education.

Finally, if the school develops a Medical Emergency Plan for your child, all staff should have a copy of it. Don’t assume someone at the beginning of each school year will automatically review it with everyone working with your child.

A friendly reminder to the administration at the school will ensure a review takes place.

8. Be accessible

The number one thing you can do to assist with a medical emergency involving your child and their asthma is to be accessible. In the beginning, it will take some time to get this organized. All personnel at the school, including the bus driver, school nurse, teacher’s aides, etc., should have access to your cell phone number. Of course, the same is true for relatives watching your child, babysitters, and neighbors. They should know where you work and how to contact your place of employment should you not answer your phone. You should also make your wishes clear as to which hospital you’d like your child to be transported to in the event of an emergency.

Every second counts during an asthma attack. You don’t want people focused on how to contact you when they should be focused on your child’s medical needs. Keep in mind that, should your cell phone get lost or stolen, or if you change your phone number or job, you’ll need to update everyone immediately.

9. Consider accommodations

Many people working with your asthmatic child will want to know how they can help. Some simple accommodations can go a long way to ensuring your child’s safety. Let the school know your kid may need a bottle of water on their desk throughout the day. Gym teachers should be made aware your child might have to skip a Physical Education class due to fatigue or a recent asthma attack. Some students with asthma may need to lie down during the school day. If they take prednisone to treat symptoms, they may experience difficulty falling asleep. This means they will likely tire more easily at school the following day.

Certain weather conditions can trigger your child’s asthma, so they might not be allowed outside for recess at certain times of the year. They may require supervision during specific weather events, even when staying indoors. Aside from weather concerns, asthma should not be a reason for your child not to join school-related field trips. Careful planning and knowledge of protocol that needs to be followed regarding your child’s asthma should allow them to participate fully in school field trips and events.

10. Celebrate asthma awareness

Be proactive at your child’s school. During May, ask if you can assist the school with celebrating Asthma Awareness Month. Don’t expect the classroom teacher to do additional work for this event. May is a very busy month for many teachers as they are getting students ready to exit school for summer breaks. Offer to make a bulletin board about asthma for your child’s classroom. Come to school and read a book to the students about asthma and what it means. See if the PTA will sponsor an Asthma Poster Contest and offer small prizes to the winner. Having the school personnel view you as a “resource” as opposed to a “nuisance” will go a long way to keeping your child with asthma safe.

Dr. Ronald I. Malcolm, EdD, works with students with disabilities in the Northwest Arctic. He recently retired as an Assistant Director of Special Education for a public school district. He is also an Associate Faculty Member with the University of Phoenix and a Special Graduate Faculty member at the University of Kansas. He has Bachelor level degrees in English and Special Education. He holds Master level degrees in Counseling, Special Education, and School Administration. His Doctorate degree is from Northern Arizona University in Educational Leadership. His postgraduate degrees are in Positive Behavior Supports and Autism Spectrum Disorders. He has worked for the past 38 years with students between the ages of three and 21 with disabilities and various medical needs in both school and community-based settings.