Getch, Y.,
Bhukhanwala, F., & Neuharth-Pritchett, S. (2007). Strategies for helping
children with diabetes in elementary
and middle schools. TEACHING
Exceptional Children, 39(3), 46-51.
My article relates to
diabetes that is described as an other health impairment. Diabetes comes in two forms, type 1, which
results from the failure of the pancreas to produce insulin, and type 2, which
results from insulin
resistance with inadequate insulin secretion to sustain normal metabolism. Effects of diabetes include increased thirst
and urination, constant hunger, confusion, inattention, blurred vision,
headache, and fatigue. Students’ missed
school absences from the disease can contribute to poor school performance. The authors point out that younger school
aged children are more likely to miss school, than their older counterparts due
to parents’ overprotection and perceived views that young children are less
likely to manage their diabetes. Accommodations
for students with disabilities include blood-glucose testing, extra snacks, and
possible activity restriction.
The
authors share the same information as expressed in the book. Children with diabetes are protected under
Section 504, IDEA, and ADA. A diagnostic
healthcare plan is necessary to manage the condition in schools. Students who receive special services are
encouraged to have an individualized healthcare plan (IHP). The diabetes healthcare plan should include
student history, goals for care and intervention, emergency contacts, and
specialized information. Emergency food
items should be readily accessible in the classroom and the building, as well
as on field trips. I found that my
school does follow the guidelines that the authors suggest in training staff
about diabetes. We were required to
complete a module online about students with diabetes at the start of the
school year. Still I feel that I have
minimal hands-on experience in implementing these policies and feel that the
nurse is one of the few professionals in the building who could actively handle
an emergency situation involving diabetes.
However, I think that my school does do a good job following the
guidelines of having good communication between the counselors, nurse, parents,
and teachers when communicating about students with OHI.
I
thought that the authors brought up a valid point that substitute teachers need
to be educated on the care of students with OHI, including diabetes. It is important to be ready for an emergency
situation at all times. I think that the
most important aspect of dealing with the students’ condition is good
communication, as stressed in the article.
I feel that the authors could have stressed more of the academic
interventions for students with diabetes, especially with dealing with long
term absences and times when the student is in the nurse’s office.
Lisa,
ReplyDeleteIt is wonderful that your school provides you with an online tutorial on caring for students with Diabetes. In my own experience, I have never had a student with Diabetes in my classroom. However, I have had students with food allergies and was trained to administer an EPI Pen. Having a student with Diabetes, allergies, seizure disorders, or other other medical needs become a huge responsibility for the teacher and school. My school provides a medical binder for each classroom to provide medical information for the staff to review and sign. I agree that it is extremely important to be ready for an emergency situation at all times. It sounds like you have good communication in the school you substitute for which definitely benefits you if an emergency situation would, God forbid, occur.
Lauren
Your article sounds like it addressed some very valid but sometimes overlooked concerns. I have never had a diabetic student in my classroom either, but it is important not only for the classroom teacher and other staff in the building to be trained in specific disabilities, but often times, it might be overlooked to notify a substitute. We have access to students health issues, but I do not include these things in my lesson plans in case we have the need for a substitute. I have a better perspective now.
ReplyDeleteI was really intrigued by your article. Diabetes has affected many people in my family so I was definitely interested in what the article said because it could affect my children. I never really considered it an issue worthy of a specialized plan but seeing the points for it I can totally understand why it would warrant one.
ReplyDeleteIt's great that your school has a communication plan in place so that all involved with the student are aware of the medical needs. You bring up a great point about communicating with substitutes. I found it helpful to have a substitute binder that was always available. This binder had important information about behavior, allergies, and any other medical conditions that they should be aware of. You bring up an interesting critique regarding the need for academic support. Do the health plans in your school address this?
ReplyDelete