Interfacing with School Officials

Use this list of topics when discussing your child's asthma and allergies with teachers and school personnel:

  • Asthma facts:

      - Asthma is not contagious.
      - Asthma is not a psychological disease.

  • The child’s asthma and allergy medical history

  • The child’s current health status

  • The goal of the current medical treatment plan:

      - recovery
      - prevention
      - early intervention

  • How to identify an asthma emergency

  • How to respond to an asthma emergency. Remind everyone to remain calm if your child should experience an asthma attack. Explain that your child has been trained to remain calm. If he asks for help, they should respond quickly and efficiently. Breathing difficulties demand action, not panic.

  • How to use medications prescribed by the physician. Mark medication left at school with child’s name, the medication name, and when it should be used.

  • How to use devices such as a peak flow meter.

  • The child’s ability to self-manage and when help will be needed.

  • The child’s known allergens, including foods.

  • Activities that bring on symptoms, such as outdoor physical activities during cold weather or on days when pollen counts or humidity levels are high.

  • A plan for making up missed work if absences are necessary.