Diabetes Center for Children

Diabetes Care in School

Work with your diabetes team and school staff to create a 504 Plan (see below) or Diabetes Health Care Plan for your child.
This plan should include:
- bathroom and water breaks
- managing diabetes during school activities
- instructions for testing blood sugars
- guidelines for giving insulin
- times for meals and snacks
- signs and symptoms of high and low blood sugars and how to treat.
- urine testing for ketones when blood sugars are over 240
- responsibilities of school staff, your child and you
- emergency contact information
Forms should be signed and dated by the school nurse and you.
Update the plan when there are changes

Make sure your nurse completes the form “Medical Orders for Diabetes Management at School/Day Care” during your diabetes visit.
Review it with school staff. Keep a copy for yourself.
Schools need a new form every year.
Get this form BEFORE school starts.
If your school needs other forms, give your Nurse Practitioner 2 weeks to complete and return them to you.

Children with diabetes are required by law to receive all their diabetes care while in school.
Federal law includes diabetes care under its rules for disabilities.
Some laws that protect a child with diabetes rights in school include:
- Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
- The American with Disabilities Act
- Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

Not all of the protections provided by these laws apply to children in private or religious schools.

If you feel that your child is being treated unfairly because of diabetes, request a meeting with the school principal.
If you need help, contact:
- Education Law Center (PA): 215-238-6970
- Disability Rights, Education, and Defense Fund, INC: 510-644-2555
- National Dissemination Center for Children & Youth with Disabilities: 800-695-0285

For more information or questions about diabetes care in school, please call 267-426-0271 or email us at diabeteseducation@email.chop.edu.

Main Number: 215-590-1000
Physician Referral Service: 1-800-879-2467
Coordinates: 39.9486937, -75.1929596
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