Receiving a diagnosis of type 1 diabetes (T1D) for your child can be an overwhelming time for parents. Learning to manage the disease and adjusting to the new normal can bring significant stress to a family.
T1D is a chronic autoimmune disease where the body attacks the cells in the pancreas that are responsible for insulin. There are approximately 300,000 Canadians living with T1D in Canada. Just under half are children. Canada has one of the fastest rates of diagnosis in the world, and it’s not known why. There is currently no way to prevent the onset of T1D and there are no cures.
People living with type 1 diabetes must constantly measure blood glucose levels and administer insulin externally, either via multiple daily injections, smart pens or insulin pumps. And even with these tools, the risks of hyper or hypoglycemic episodes (blood glucose going too low or high) are always present. This requires carrying fast-acting sources of sugar everywhere you go and ensuring there are always snacks available. It’s a steep learning curve – and it can be compounded even further when it’s time for a child with T1D to start a new school year.
Even families further along the diabetes journey can find the return to school an anxious time. The switch from elementary to middle or high school can mean your child might want to exert more independence over their T1D management, with less parental oversight and involvement. And while this is an important step in any child’s path to autonomy and young adulthood, it doesn’t make the transition any easier for the parents or the worry they feel any easier.
Diabetes at School is a great place to start. Through their website, parents can find a wide range of checklists, training materials to offer educators and resources to help students feel more prepared and empowered to manage their T1D while at school.
Resources include materials to help parents:
- Prepare for back-to-school when your child has type 1 diabetes
- Ensure your child’s school is prepared, and where to find resources
- Educate teachers and administrators about the rights of students with type 1 diabetes at school
- Advocate for your child or youth with type 1 diabetes
JDRF Canada is the largest non-profit in Canada working towards cures for T1D while providing programs and services to improve the lives of people affected by T1D. Its advocacy program Access For All connects with all levels of government to ensure that diabetes technologies like advanced glucose monitors and insulin pumps are universally accessible and affordable for all Canadians with T1D.
JDRF also offers a number of support services to help families through a new type 1 diabetes (T1D) diagnosis, provides resources to better navigate T1D and make personal connections with those who share similar experiences to earn from those who have been there already. JDRF wants to make sure that at whatever stage of the T1D journey a family may be on, they never feel alone.
Starting a new school year brings with it a unique set of challenges for any student, and this is only made more so by type 1 diabetes. But with the right tools and resources, the stress can be mitigated to help ensure a smooth transition for both parent and child.
To learn more, visit www.jdrf.ca or www.diabetesatschool.ca.
