Help for Families Newly Diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes
Finding out your child has type 1 diabetes can be scary. Most people will have many questions and concerns. It's only natural. We're here to help guide you, to care for your child and help you and your entire family move forward with confidence.
Type 1: You've got this
A type 1 diabetes diagnosis can be challenging because it requires constant attention and care. But, so does childhood! You have a bond with your child that drives your natural instincts, so with a little help and knowledge, you, your child and your entire family can thrive and live well with diabetes.
Coping with a Type 1 Diabetes Diagnosis Video
Finding out your child has type 1 diabetes can be scary. Many people have had similar feelings after the diagnosis. See how 6 families coped with the diagnosis and learned to manage their kids’ diabetes.
View this video with a transcript
First, a few facts
Children who require inpatient care (a hospital stay) for diabetes will work with a team specially trained to support children with diabetes and their families. This diabetes team is here to encourage and guide you as you learn to care for your child with diabetes.
For three days, the Diabetes Center team will provide you with the information and skills you need to safely take care of your child at home. The aim of the DCC is to help you continue doing all the things you used to do before your child was diagnosed. Your child will be able to play sports, go trick-or-treating and attend birthday parties, just like any other child. All you need is a plan.
Type 1 Year 1 Diabetes Learning Resource: This learning resource, created by the Diabetes Center, will guide you through the first year of your child’s type 1 diabetes diagnosis. It will help you understand what type 1 diabetes is, how it affects your child, and how you and your child can manage type 1 diabetes with confidence in the hospital and after you go home.
- Your family will be assigned a team. Meet the team at the Diabetes Center.
“CHOP taught me everything I needed to know. I am no longer frightened and am ready to tackle any obstacles that stand in my way!”
Patient success stories
Our patients and their families have inspiring stories to share. Learn how they manage diabetes by reading their stories.
Meet kids with diabetes who are enjoying life! You can view a slideshow from our annual family conference.
We're here to help you and your child cope
From help at school to telling friends to knowing when your child needs help, we've put together a list of strategies to help you and your family live well with type 1 diabetes. Some people may require additional support to help cope with diabetes. This is normal. If you or your child is struggling, let your team know.
Learn more ideas about coping.
Resources and Tools to Manage Diabetes
In addition to support from your diabetes care team, we've compiled a variety of resources to help you understand and live well with type 1 diabetes.
Counting carbs
Counting carbs is an integral part of diabetes management. Learn more
Communicating with others
Help your child communicate with their friends about their condition by viewing our resource.
Parenting tips
When a child is diagnosed with diabetes, the entire family is affected. Here are some tips that are helpful as everyone adjusts to a “new normal” of life with diabetes.
Sign up for MyCHOP
MyCHOP is a free, online service for you to access portions of your child's medical records quickly and securely. You can use MyCHOP to:
- Communicate with your Diabetes team in between visits for non-urgent questions and medical issues.
- Receive updated sliding scales, other diabetes related instructions or letters from your providers, and upcoming appointments.
Websites
The American Diabetes Association provides information about living with diabetes, advocacy and research, as well as training resources, an online publication and more. www.diabetes.org
Children with diabetes is an online community for kids, families and adults with diabetes. www.childrenwithdiabetes.com
The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) is the leading global organization funding type 1 diabetes research. www.jdrf.org