Going to School with Hyperinsulinism
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If your child has special medical needs, starting school can seem overwhelming. Having the correct information and resources in place will help make the process smoother for you and your child.
Prepare for school by taking these steps:
Before your child’s first day, see what resources the school has available and what your child will require. Here are questions you should ask:
Request a letter for the school staff that will allow them an understanding of your child’s diagnosis, symptoms to look for (such as signs of low blood sugar) and treatment. Include a phone number where the provider can be reached to answer questions the school staff may have. Sign a release of health information, so the school can talk directly with your provider if needed. Your provider can also help put together an Individual School Health Plan, which is often part of the IEP.
Meet with your child’s teacher before the school year begins, if possible, to start building a partnership.
Discuss your child’s needs. Explain what symptoms or events should trigger a phone call to you and how they should take action in an emergency. Consider making a cheat sheet of key points for the teacher. (Read Kaylee’s story to see how the mom of one of our patients did this.)