Asthma Assistance

Kids who learn they have asthma may at first feel disappointed that they’ll stand out or that they won’t be able to participate in sports or do the activities they enjoy. It’s important to talk honestly and openly about asthma with your kid so that he understands what he can and cannot do, and what his new responsibilities are in order to remain healthy. An adjustment is necessary for all members of the family when one person in diagnosed with asthma, especially if that person is one of the children.

At different stages of development and maturity, kids need different levels of support, guidance, and supervision from you, their parent. Teaching a child to manage their own asthma treatments if possible helps the child learn to be independent and take care of himself. As much as you’d like to be, you won’t always be there when your child has an asthma attack, and the more they know about how to handle and resolve their breathing problems themselves, the safer they will be.

If your child is a toddler, obviously they will need to rely on you for most of their care, including asthma treatments. Try to underline the importance of taking asthma medications while also making it a fun time and letting the kid help in any way they can. This way they will become comfortable with their condition before they really understand what it means.

Elementary school aged children can be mature enough to comprehend the limitations of their asthma and can be taught to stay away from their asthma triggers, use their medications, and be wise in the choices that may affect their breathing. Allowing kids at this age to keep an eye on their symptoms makes them feel more in control, and more easily able to adapt to having asthma.

Kids don’t want to feel left out, even those with asthma. If you can help children understand the impact of the condition while assuring them that they can still be active in life and have fun, the adjustments for living with asthma need not be traumatic.

Children who have asthma know that their breathing is different from other children’s but there is no need for them to feel like an outcast while at school. Doctors and pediatricians recommend being honest with your child about the limitations their asthma may impose and encourage them to ask questions so that they fully understand the repercussions of their actions. Asthma doesn’t have to make your child feel like an outsider as long as you follow some basic tips.

Since your child likely spends much of his or her time in school, it is necessary for all adults involved with the child’s care to be aware of the situation and know what to do in case of an emergency. If you child has a clear and well developed asthma action plan, this may help teachers and school administrators take the right steps in reacting to any incidents that may occur related to your child’s asthma while he or she is at school.

It is also recommended that parents meet with the child’s teacher, as well as the school counselor or nurse, and any before or after school care providers. If your child’s caregivers are informed and educated about your child’s asthma, there will be fewer questions or explanations needed from your child, which will make it easier for him or her to blend in. Ask your child’s teacher to treat him or her just like everyone else unless the asthma starts to become a problem, and inform the kid’s caregivers about what medications he or she may need to take. Let the school staff know about any exercise triggers your child may have so that they may be excused from or participate in adjusted physical education.

In addition to educating the school staff and teachers, you may also check out the air quality of the school, and look for high levels of air born irritants or allergens. If asthma triggers are present in the school environment, try to take precautionary measures so that your child will suffer from as few asthma attacks as possible while in school.