Back to School Prep for Kids with Asthma & Allergies
As the new school year approaches, families everywhere are busy preparing. But for parents of kids with asthma or allergies, that preparation includes a few extra steps, some of which are time-sensitive. Getting ahead of paperwork and taking proactive steps now sets your child up for a safe and confident start to the year ahead.
If your child has asthma or allergies, here are a few ways you can help them kick off the school year strong and stay healthy from day one.
Start with a Back to School Check-In
Before the first bell rings, it’s important to check with your child’s school to find out their specific requirements for students with asthma or allergies. School policies can vary, so staying informed can help you avoid any last minute surprises. Once you know what’s needed, check in with your child’s allergist to make sure all necessary forms and treatment plans are in place before the first day.
Steps to Prepare for a Safe and Smooth School Year
Here are a few simple steps you can take to help your child feel prepared and supported before school starts:
- Gather Required Forms: Ask the school what documents or forms your child needs in order to carry or use medications like inhalers or epinephrine while at school.
- Check in with your child’s allergist to review their treatment plan and request forms required by your school be completed. If your child is due for an asthma or allergy check up, Schedule an Appointment right away.
- Review Your Action Plan: Update or complete an Allergy & Asthma Action Plan for use at home and school.
- Refill Medications: Check the expiration dates on inhalers, epinephrine auto-injectors and any other prescriptions.
- Allow Processing Time: Medical offices may need a few weeks to process provider-completed forms that some schools require. Allowing yourself additional time to complete and submit everything your school needs ahead of time will help assure your child’s safety on the first day and prevent last minute stress.
Talk to Teachers and Staff
After completing all essential school paperwork, schedule time to meet with the staff members who will be supporting your child day to day. Helping them understand how to manage your child’s asthma or allergies and ensuring they are aware and equipped to provide the care your child may need is one of the most important steps you can take to keep them safe.
Ensure a Safe and Supportive Environment
A few conversations early on can help your child, their teachers and school staff feel more prepared and confident as they transition into the new year. Here are a few quick but important things you can do to help facilitate an environment for your child that is equipped to meet their needs:
- Confirm which school staff members need copies of your child’s health forms, including emergency action plans, medication authorizations and any specific instructions from your allergist.
- Ask the school about their medication storage procedures and access protocols during the school day and if your child will need to visit the nurse’s office for medication administration.
- If your child is old enough to self-carry medication, check if the school allows it and what steps are required for approval.
- Provide clearly labeled medications and written instructions so staff understand what to use and when.
- It’s also helpful to find out who is officially trained to respond in an emergency and verify that they understand how to administer your child’s medication properly if necessary.
Educate and Empower Your Child
Education is key to your child being able to manage his or her asthma or allergies with confidence. Although every child is different, over time, many will eventually become capable of actively recognizing and identifying their symptoms, avoiding triggers, and speaking up when something doesn’t feel right.
Triggers and Prevention
Whether it’s certain foods, environmental factors or physical activity, talk to your child about specific things that might trigger their condition and help them understand how to avoid those situations at school. Send allergy-safe snacks or meals to school with your child if needed and explain the importance of not sharing food with their classmates. You can also practice what to do in case of a reaction or asthma flare-up, who to tell, and how to ask for help.
Teach Proper Use of Medications
For kids who are old enough and have been approved to self-administer, walk them through how and when to use their inhaler or epinephrine auto-injector; and most importantly, remind them that speaking up when something feels off is always the right choice.
See An Allergist
While your child plays a big role in managing his or her condition day to day, ongoing care from an allergist is just as important, especially at the beginning of the school year. According to the ACAAI , studies show kids with asthma under the care of an allergist experience a 77 percent decrease in sick days.
Even if your child has seen an allergist before, it’s a good idea to keep your specialist up to date on your child’s symptoms and to review medications. Allergy and asthma symptoms can change with age and medications or dosages may need to be adjusted over time. Schedule an appointment with the Oklahoma Asthma & Allergy Clinic to get your child ready for a healthy, happy school year.