Asthma in school-aged children
Asthma affects around 1 in 9 school aged children. This means that in an average classroom there will be at least 3 students with asthma. Schools and staff can work together with the wider school community to provide a healthy and safe educational environment for students with asthma. Student health and safety are essential in schools to allow all students to achieve their best.
How does asthma affect students?
Asthma is a leading cause of absenteeism in school students, which in severe cases can cause them to fall behind in their work. Asthma symptoms commonly occur overnight, which can mean a lack of sleep for the student, leading to a
reduced ability to concentrate in class. Students can also show signs of worsening asthma, especially after vigorous exercise, and may have an asthma attack while at school, which requires an immediate response.
How does asthma affect students?
Asthma is a leading cause of absenteeism in school students, which in severe cases can cause them to fall behind in their work. Asthma symptoms commonly occur overnight, which can mean a lack of sleep for the student, leading to a
reduced ability to concentrate in class. Students can also show signs of worsening asthma, especially after vigorous exercise, and may have an asthma attack while at school, which requires an immediate response.
How Parents and Schools work Together
Parents and school staff need to work together to help control asthma symptoms for all students with asthma. Children with asthma often have symptoms at school; therefore it is very important to get the school involved in caring for a child's asthma. This is true even if the child has only a mild case of asthma and even for children who do not need to take medicines when they are at school. Most schools have several children with asthma, and so many teachers and
principals may be very familiar with helping children with asthma. Still, it is important to take steps to ensure that students receive appropriate attention and that all the relevant school personnel are familiar with what is needed to
help each child.
Parents and school staff need to work together to help control asthma symptoms for all students with asthma. Children with asthma often have symptoms at school; therefore it is very important to get the school involved in caring for a child's asthma. This is true even if the child has only a mild case of asthma and even for children who do not need to take medicines when they are at school. Most schools have several children with asthma, and so many teachers and
principals may be very familiar with helping children with asthma. Still, it is important to take steps to ensure that students receive appropriate attention and that all the relevant school personnel are familiar with what is needed to
help each child.
Possible accommodations and services:
- Adapt activity level for recess, physical education etc.
- Provide inhalant therapy assistance
- Train for proper dispensing of medications; monitor and or distribute medications, monitor side effects
- Remove allergens ( perfume, lotion, paint, room spray)
- make field trips that might aggravate student, non mandatory. (Supplement with audiotapes, movies, videos)
- Accommodate medical absences with make up work
- Adjust for administration of medications
- provide access to water, gum etc. if needed
- Adapt curriculum expectations when needed. (Science class, physical education)
- develop heath care and emergency plans
- have peers available to carry objects for student when needed ( lunch trays, books)
- provide rest periods
- make health care needs known to appropriate staff.
- Maintain the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system
- Use air purification systems throughout the building or in personal workstations
- Provide pre-notification of construction and cleaning in the workplace
Warning Signs Teachers Need to Look For
Changes in breathing
– Coughing – Chest tightness – Throat tightness – Breathing through the mouth – Wheezing – Shortness of breath – Rapid breathing |
Verbal Complaints
Often a student who is familiar with asthma will know that an episode is about to happen. The student might tell the teacher: – “My chest is tight.” – “My chest hurts.” – “I cannot catch my breath.” – “My mouth is dry.” – “My neck feels funny.” – “I don’t feel well” or “I feel tired.” – “My chin (or neck) itches." Students may also use “clipped” speech—very short, choppy sentences |