Jeffrey Beach
CEO & President of Asthma Canada
Asthma and Children in Canada
In Canada, approximately 12% of children, or about 900,000, live with asthma, making it the most common long-term respiratory disease among children in the country. When asthma is well-controlled, children can participate in physical activities and remain symptom-free. However, when asthma is uncontrolled, it can lead to fatigue, increased absenteeism, and decreased academic performance. Asthma is one of the leading causes of school absenteeism across Canada.
More than 20,000 hospitalizations for childhood asthma occur each year, many during the fall months. This underscores the critical importance of vigilant asthma management, particularly during the return to school, when the September Asthma Peak occurs.
What is the September Asthma Peak?
Every year, globally, an epidemic known as the “September Asthma Peak” occurs, typically during the third week of September. This period sees the highest number of asthma-related hospitalizations among children.
What Causes the September Asthma Peak?
Several factors contribute to the September Asthma Peak. During the summer months, many families become more relaxed about their child’s asthma management, particularly in consistently administering controller medications, which should be taken all year round, even when the child’s asthma is non-symptomatic.
When children return to school, they are suddenly exposed to a range of asthma triggers and allergens that can worsen asthma symptoms. The start of the school year coincides with the onset of the cold and flu season and studies estimate that up to 85% of asthma exacerbations (attacks) are triggered by viral infections, with the common cold (rhinovirus) responsible for up to 60% of these exacerbations.
What Can Parents Do to Keep Their Children Safe During September?
Children spend a significant portion of their lives in school, so it is vital that they are as safe as possible in this environment. Parents, schools, and student staff need to work together to combat the September Asthma Peak.
To help parents keep their children safe during the return to school, Asthma Canada has developed a Back-To-School with Asthma: Checklist for Parents. By following the points listed on this checklist, you can greatly reduce your child’s risk of hospitalization during this critical time of the year.
Back-To-School with Asthma: Checklist for Parents:
- Schedule a checkup with your child’s healthcare professional to ensure your child’s asthma is controlled and to develop or update your child’s written Asthma Action Plan.
- Ensure that your child takes their asthma controller medication throughout the year, even when symptom-free.
- Make sure that your child always has access to their reliever (rescue) inhaler, and they know how to use it properly (using a spacer where possible).
- Identify your child’s asthma triggers.
- Speak to your child about their asthma.
- Help them understand their asthma and asthma symptoms
- Help them to understand their asthma triggers and how to avoid them
- Teach them about their asthma medications including the importance of taking their controller medication as prescribed, carrying their reliever (rescue) inhaler with them at all times and the importance of good inhaler technique (using a spacer where possible)
- Have them fill in Asthma Canada’s Back-To-School with Asthma: Kid’s Asthma Diary and use this to identify how well controlled their asthma is
- Speak to your child’s school about their asthma.
- Make them aware of your child’s asthma, asthma symptoms and asthma triggers
- Explain the importance of your child always carrying their reliever (rescue) inhaler with them (this may contradict their medication policy so you will need to be firm)
- Ensure they know the steps to take during an asthma exacerbation or asthma attackGive them a copy of your child’s Asthma Action Plan
- Treat allergies with antihistamines, nasal steroids, allergy shots or pills to help avoid an asthma attack. An EpiPen ® (or similar device) should always be available to your child if they may have severe life threatening anaphylactic allergic reactions. Speak with your doctor or allergist about the best allergy treatment options for your child.
- Teach your child correct hand-washing technique and the importance of hand washing to avoid catching the common cold (rhinovirus), flu (influenza virus) or RSV, which are the most common asthma triggers. (Use hand sanitizer where possible).
- If your child is sick, keep them home from school to prevent them from getting sicker and from spreading their illnesses to other class members.
- Ensure your child, and everyone in your home, has received all recommended vaccinations to prevent preventable respiratory illnesses spreading into your home and classroom.
If you need help, Asthma Canada is here for you
“September can be a particularly stressful and worrisome time for both parents and children,” said Jeffrey Beach, CEO & President of Asthma Canada. “At Asthma Canada, we believe that with proper asthma control, every child with asthma should have the opportunity to reach their full academic potential, participate in physical activities, and stay safe and healthy, not only in September but throughout the entire school year. To support this goal, we’ve developed the Back-To-School with Asthma: Digital Pack. This comprehensive pack is filled with the information, resources (including a webinar for parents and teachers) and tools that parents and teachers can use to ensure children with asthma are well-protected and supported at school.“
Download your FREE Back-To-School with Asthma: Digital Pack
For parents seeking further guidance and support, Asthma Canada’s FREE Asthma & Allergy HelpLine is available to answer all your questions about your child’s asthma. Call 1-866-787-4050 or email [email protected] to speak with a Certified Respiratory Expert in English or French today.
Back-To-School with Asthma: Webinar for Parents & Teachers
Join Joyce Yee, Registered Respiratory Therapist & Certified Respiratory Educator as she provides an informative webinar designed to equip parents and teachers with the knowledge and tools needed to ensure the safety of children as they return to school, including:
- Avoiding asthma triggers in the classroom and at home
- Talking to your child about their asthma
- Communicating effectively with your school about asthma
- Recognizing asthma symptoms and knowing what to do during an asthma attack
A Parent’s Journey: Toni’s Story of Navigating Asthma with Her Son Elias
In Mississauga, Ontario, Toni Pellegrino, a dedicated mother, has been on a challenging journey with her six-year-old son, Elias, who is living with asthma. Their family’s story is one of resilience, advocacy, and the importance of timely and proper diagnosis.
Elias battle with asthma began in infancy. Toni recalls the first alarming episode of severe coughing, which led to a misdiagnosis of pneumonia.
“It was an extremely scary experience for the whole family – he needed a lot of oxygen.”
Despite repeated visits to the hospital, where Elias was diagnosed with croup and other conditions, he was not prescribed the necessary medication due to differing medical opinions. It wasn’t until a significant hospital stay just before the COVID-19 pandemic that they met a new pediatrician who started Elias on the correct asthma management plan. This turning point brought a better treatment approach.
Initially, Elias struggled with using his inhalers.
“In the beginning, it was extremely challenging time for us. Elias wouldn’t take his puffer [rescue inhaler]. But we worked hard to get him used to it and thankfully today, this is no longer an issue.”
The onset of COVID-19 added another layer of complexity, with Elias contracting the virus in 2022, leading to pneumonia and hospitalization. However, their proactive pediatrician provided timely advice and treatment adjustments, which were crucial in Elias’ recovery.
Toni and her husband’s advocacy for Elias didn’t stop at finding the right pediatrician. She sought a respirologist and, more recently, an allergist, ensuring a holistic approach to his asthma care. Elias now follows a tailored plan involving daily controller medication, regular consultations with specialists and avoiding his asthma triggers where possible which include cold air.
“We know Elias’ asthma is triggered by the cold, so instead of participating in sports where he is exposed to cold air, such as ice skating, he’s playing T-ball. He’s been great. He doesn’t have any episodes when it’s hot and humid.”
Navigating the school environment posed its own set of challenges. Toni highlights a critical issue: the need for schools to recognise asthma as the potentially life-threatening condition it is. Initially, Elias’ rescue inhaler was kept in the principal’s office.
“I didn’t know initially who I needed to talk to at school about Elias’ asthma. Do I go to his teacher or to his principal?
His rescue inhaler ended up being stored in the principal’s office. It wasn’t until one day when he had an asthma episode that they realised this is very serious and his rescue inhaler needs to be with him at all times. School staff need to be more aware of how serious of a condition asthma is.”
Asthma Canada has played an important role in providing valuable information and resources to Toni and Elias.
“Asthma Canada are really good too. Just the other day I saw an Instagram post about swimming with asthma. I didn’t know that cold waters could worsen asthma but I’m glad to have been made aware.”
Toni’s journey with Elias underscores the importance of persistence, informed advocacy, and support in managing asthma.
Ryan’s Law
Ryan’s Law is named after Ryan Gibbons, a young boy from southwestern Ontario who tragically lost his life in October 2012 after having an asthma attack while attending school.
This legislation requires every Ontario school board to introduce policies and procedures that:
- Allow the child to carry their asthma reliever (rescue) inhalers (with the parent’s permission).
- Reduce the child’s contact with asthma triggers.
- Provide information about asthma to school staff, students and parents.
- Provide for up-to-date training of school staff on recognizing and managing asthma symptoms and attacks.
- Create a personalized plan for each student with asthma, incorporating recommendations from their healthcare providers and updated emergency contacts. These plans will be kept on file at the school, and it is mandatory for all staff and individuals working with students to be informed about them.
Download your FREE Back-To-School with Asthma Digital Pack.
