Since asthma and allergies are very common among school children, many schools have plans in place to manage these conditions. But each school is different. And each child\u2019s needs are different. Proper planning and a partnership with your child\u2019s school can help you and the school staff create a safe and healthy learning environment for your student.<\/p>\n
And you may not need to do every step each year as your child gets older and becomes more independent. Use these steps as a guide as you work with your child\u2019s school.<\/p>\n
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![\"Work](\"https:\/\/aafa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/back-to-school-planning-tip-7-extra-sm.png\")
Partner with Your Child\u2019s School About Their Asthma or Allergies<\/h3>\n
You and your child\u2019s school both want your child to have a quality education in a safe environment. Forming a partnership with your child\u2019s school is key when it comes to successfully managing their asthma and allergies.<\/p>\n
Start by communicating with the school about your child\u2019s asthma and allergies in writing. Ask for meetings with key people in the planning process. This often includes the school or district nurse and the primary teacher or sometimes the principal.<\/p>\n
Throughout your child\u2019s schooling, you will be working with the school and district staff. Approach it with a positive mindset and tone.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s also important to teach your child, in age-appropriate ways, how to manage their condition. This may mean learning how to recognize when they are having symptoms, knowing how to wash their hands, or taking other steps to prevent allergies or asthma.<\/p>\n
Related Resources<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Putting everything into place for your child\u2019s care at school can take some time.<\/p>\n Each year, start preparing for the next school year early. Spring is usually the best time to start, especially since some prep will probably continue into the summer. If your child will need accommodation, start that process at the beginning of the calendar year (January or February) when possible.<\/p>\n Here are some of the steps you\u2019ll want to take during the spring and summer to prepare:<\/p>\n At the end of the school year:<\/p>\n Related Resources<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Every student with asthma or food allergies should have a school health care plan. A school health care plan<\/a> lists your child\u2019s common symptoms, medicines, and what to do if they have symptoms. It may also outline what school staff should do to prevent asthma episodes\/attacks or allergic reactions.<\/p>\n Three of the most common types of school health care plans are:<\/p>\n The school health care plan will be created and updated in a partnership between the student\u2019s parents\/guardians, the school staff (typically school or district nurse), and the child\u2019s primary care (e.g., pediatrician) or specialist care clinicians (e.g., allergist). Work together to decide which type of care plan is best for your child.<\/p>\n When you meet with the school, discuss:<\/p>\n And ask about:<\/p>\n Related Resources<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n After you have met with the school nurse or other school representative, set up a meeting with your child\u2019s teacher(s) to talk about classroom management of asthma or allergies.<\/p>\n Talk with them about:<\/p>\n Depending on the school and your child\u2019s needs, you may also meet with other teachers, or the school principal, food services director, coaches, and\/or athletic director.<\/p>\n Related Resources<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n If your child has asthma, take steps now to prevent episodes or attacks later. It\u2019s much easier to prevent asthma and allergy symptoms before they happen than it is to get them under control.<\/p>\n Related Resources<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n As your child grows, teach, and encourage your child to build age-appropriate skills to manage their asthma or allergies.<\/p>\n Some of these skills may include:<\/p>\n Talk with your child\u2019s doctor about whether or not your child is old enough to self-carry and take their medicines on their own. Talk with the school and your child\u2019s doctor.<\/p>\n Related Resources<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n There are three federal laws that protect students with asthma and allergies:<\/p>\n Under the ADA and Section 504, asthma and allergies may be considered disabilities, depending on the severity.1,2<\/sup> The IDEA and Section 504 ensure children with disabilities have access to \u201cfree appropriate public education.”3<\/sup> Under these laws, you can work with your child\u2019s school for reasonable accommodations for your child.<\/p>\n Check with your state to see if they have laws that protect your child and their right to education. For example, your child also has the right to carry their own medicine. All 50 states have laws allowing children to self-carry their own medicine<\/span>.<\/a> Each state has laws that protect this right. But you will need forms on file at the school signed by your child\u2019s doctor that says they can self-carry.<\/p>\n Related Resources<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Each school has a different way of managing asthma and allergies. Your child\u2019s needs will also change as they progress through grade levels. You will need to revisit the school planning process from the beginning each time they change schools, whether they are moving from elementary school to middle school to high school or you move them to a new school and\/or district.<\/p>\n A student must be re-evaluated for a Section 504 plan periodically. Section 504 allows school districts to do re-evaluations of a child with a 504 plan in the same manner as the IDEA. The IDEA requires re-evaluation every 3 years (unless the parent and the school division agree it is not required). A student can be re-evaluated more often if the situation changes or the parent or teacher requests re-evaluation.<\/p>\n A re-evaluation should not occur more than once per year (unless the parent and public agency agree otherwise). A 504 plan should be reviewed and, if appropriate, revised each year. A 504 plan can be reviewed or revised at any point during the school year if your child\u2019s needs change.<\/p>\n Even though colleges that get federal funding must follow Section 504 and the ADA, they are held to a different standard than elementary and secondary schools, and do not have to follow your prior 504 plan. If you ask for accommodations that would cause them to change their programs or create undue burden, the college may be able to say no to your request.4<\/sup> Contact the school\u2019s disability services department with any concerns or questions. If your student has food allergies, also contact dietary services. It\u2019s important to support your teen with growing independence. In the college setting, the student will have to request any accommodations and manage their health.<\/p>\n Related Resources<\/strong><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Medical Review” module_class=”med-rev” _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#505050″ text_font_size=”16px” link_text_color=”#008C99″ link_font_size=”16px” header_5_font=”|600|||||||” header_5_text_align=”left” header_5_text_color=”#008c99″ custom_margin=”||3%||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]Reviewed August 2024 by Adrianna Del Principe, Esquire<\/small>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_accordion open_toggle_text_color=”#FFFFFF” open_toggle_background_color=”#f0f0f0″ closed_toggle_text_color=”#FFFFFF” closed_toggle_background_color=”#f0f0f0″ toggle_icon=”L||divi||400″ icon_color=”#FFFFFF” use_icon_font_size=”on” icon_font_size=”20px” admin_label=”References” module_id=”references” module_class=”accord pa-accordion” _builder_version=”4.19.0″ _module_preset=”default” toggle_text_color=”#FFFFFF” toggle_font=”|600|||||||” toggle_font_size=”22px” closed_toggle_font=”|600|||||||” closed_toggle_font_size=”22px” body_font=”||||||||” body_text_color=”#505050″ body_font_size=”16px” body_line_height=”1.4em” body_link_font=”||||on|||#008C99|” text_orientation=”left” custom_margin=”||2%||false|false” custom_css_free_form=”.et_pb_toggle_title:before {|| font-size: 20px;|| position: absolute;|| color: #FFFFFF;|| font-family: ETmodules !important;|| font-weight: 400 !important;|| content: %22%924c%22 !important;|| right: 2% !important;|| display: inline-block !important;||}||.accord .et_pb_toggle_content {|| color: #008c99;|| font-size: 16px;|| font-weight: 500;||}” border_width_all=”0px” global_module=”8665″ saved_tabs=”all” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Closed” open=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”References” _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][\/et_pb_accordion][et_pb_code admin_label=”Print” module_id=”print” module_class=”clearfix” _builder_version=”4.17.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_module=”5156″ saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}”]\n
![\"Meet](\"https:\/\/aafa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/back-to-school-planning-tip-3-sm.png\")
Prepare for the Next School Year Well Before First Day of School<\/h3>\n\n
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![\"back](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/back-to-school-planning-tip-1-sm.png\")
Work with the School to Create a School Health Care Plan<\/h3>\n\n
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![\"meeting](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/back-to-school-planning-tip-8-extra-sm.png\")
Meet with Your Child\u2019s Teacher and Other Staff Your Child Will See During the School Day<\/h3>\n\n
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![\"Download](\"https:\/\/aafa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/pdf-24x24-1.png\")
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Prevent and Control Asthma and Allergy Symptoms Before School Starts<\/h3>\n\n
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![\"Download](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/pdf-24x24-1.png\")
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Teach Your Child Age-Appropriate Skills to Help Them Self-Manage Their Asthma and Allergies<\/h3>\n\n
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![\"Visit](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/back-to-school-planning-tip-6-sm.png\")
Understand Your Child\u2019s Rights Under State Laws and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)<\/h3>\n\n
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Managing a Move to a New School<\/h3>\n
College with Asthma and Allergies<\/h3>\n
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