Attending School & Camp
AUSTRALIAN pAEDIATRIC SOCIETY and Diabetes at School
Australian Paediatric Society (APS) is the lead advocate for better care of children with Type 1 Diabetes in Australian Schools. APS strongly supports the 2018 International Society for Paediatric & Adolescent Diabetes (ISPAD) international guidelines for management of children with diabetes in schools. The T1D Learning Centre (t1d.org.au) was initiated by the APS in response to the lack of accessible, flexible, transparent, evidence-based education available to Australian school staff who support and take responsibility for a student with T1D.
The T1D Learning Centre is a not for profit, e-learning platform promoting the international care guidelines and best practices recognised by ISPAD. The original courses were launched in November 2017, with over 25,000 site visits and over 15,000 courses completed at no cost. The e-learning content is endorsed by the APS and ISPAD.
The T1D Learning Centre e-learning modules for schools remains the only validated learning program for Australian schools and won the 2019 ISPAD international award for diabetes innovation.
The APS has published Diabetes Management Plans (t1d.org.au) consistent with ISPAD best practice and respecting the Australian legislative requirement of informed consent and privacy and the best practice individualised care. - Australian Paediatric Society
Education is Key
The best way to ensure your child can enjoy their time at school and also maximise their learning, is to build a strong relationship with the school principal, teachers and staff.
The best way to ensure your child can enjoy their time at school and also maximise their learning, is to build a strong relationship with the school principal, teachers and staff. It is important that the staff are clear on the procedure surrounding Type 1 Diabetes and are educated on how to assist your child when required. School camps and excursions can provide a challenge, however if all parties are clear on what is required, then your child can enjoy these activities like the other children in their class.
The World Health Organisation recognises Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) as a disability. Many countries have recognised T1D as a disability in common law. Legal frameworks exist to protect children and adolescents with T1D to ensure the student has an equal opportunity to participate in all aspects of school life. (ref ISPAD PS 5.1)
Parents and health teams respect the work demands of teachers. The contribution made by school personnel to appropriately assist the student with T1D at school should be acknowledged and appreciated by all. (ISPAD PS 6.11) Caring for a student with T1D is best achieved through a cooperative, supportive and respectful relationship between the three key stakeholders – parent (and student when they are capable of greater independence in self-care), school personnel and medical team. (ISPAD PS 4.1)
https://www.t1d.org.au/diabetes-at-school/rights-and-responsibilities
Any child with Type 1 Diabetes requires unconditional support not just from their families, but principally from their schools and their medical practitioners.
The Type1 Foundation has supported the development of the T1D Learning Centre and E-Learning Online Training Modules. Providing credible, flexible, accessible, evidence-based education, learning and training protocols for school staff who support and take responsibility for a student with Type1 Diabetes. This benefits all Type1 school ages children, their families and the school staff. At school, many different scenarios can arise daily. It can be difficult to predict these, but its best the have a plan in place to ensure that your child is safe at all times. https://www.t1d.org.au/diabetes-at-school/scenarios
Remember, as a parent are the best advocate for your child. You know them the best and as a parent it is very normal to feel overwhelmed and misunderstood within the school environment. Please remember you are not alone and if you require more support in how to advocate for your child please get in touch with us, or for more information and testimonials go to: https://www.t1d.org.au/about-t1d/testimonials
School Camp
Please let your diabetes team know ASAP about upcoming school camp so they can work with you to create a plan to send to the school.