You have mastered the art of monitoring your child's glucose and giving insulin injections. Now you have to trust total strangers to do it for you? Parents of children who require insulin often worry as they send Junior off to school with his insulin kit and glucose meter. But knowing your child's rights and upholding your responsibilities can help alleviate the stress and strain. You'll be relieved once you make a plan and go over it during a visit with the school nurse.

Federal law makes it possible to send your diabetic child to school with no worries -- but a medical kit and special food help, too.

Your Child's Rights

Federal law designates diabetes as a disability, making it illegal for schools and day care centers to discriminate against anyone who has the disease. What's more, schools that receive funds from the U.S. government have to make reasonable efforts to accommodate children with diabetes and the steps they need to take to maintain glucose control. That means the child can expect:

• to be assisted in blood sugar monitoring and insulin injection by school personnel.
• to be allowed to have snacks as necessary.
• to participate in all programs available to other children.

In addition, there is a long list of other rights that, in sum, strive to ensure that a child with diabetes has the same access to a complete education and extracurricular activities as any other kid. You can look up the laws and read them for yourself. They are:

• Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
• The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 1991
• The Americans with Disabilities Act 

Your Responsibilities

Introducing yourself to the nurse at your child's school, as well as his or her teachers and principal, would be a good start. But don't show up empty-handed: Arrive with a diabetes medical-management plan, which your son or daughter's health care team will prepare. (You can find a sample on the ADA Web site, www.diabetes.org.) This document provides school officials with everything they need to know about your child and his or her condition, including:

• how often and when to check glucose levels.
• how much insulin to administer for given glucose values.
• when and what the child should eat.
• symptoms of hypoglycemia and how to treat it.
• anything else adults supervising your child need to know in order to help him or her manage diabetes.

Naturally, you are also responsible for providing all medical equipment and supplies, snacks, emergency telephone numbers, and any other essential items.

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