Type 1 Diabetes in Children and Adolescents: What’s New?

Abstract

As providers of care for children and adolescents with Type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM), it is imperative that the school nurse is familiar both with the legal framework guiding protection of these students' rights in school and with ongoing developments regarding management of this disorder. Federal legislation, designed to prevent discrimination and to allow children and adolescents with certain disabilities and chronic disorders such as Type 1 DM to fully participate in activities within the academic setting, is a major consideration for those providing care in schools. Understanding of recent developments and future trends in the management of Type 1 DM is essential for the school nurse to facilitate optimal care for students with this disorder. These consist of new types and activity of insulin preparations, alternative devices for insulin delivery, improvements in glucose monitoring, and changes in nutritional management along with upcoming developments in Type 1 DM management.

Special needs of children with type 1 diabetes at primary school: perceptions from parents, children, and teachers

“…Also, 9 and 6% of parents of 7‐ to 10‐ and 11‐ to 14‐yr‐old children, respectively, reported discriminatory behavior by school staff compared to 3% reported in this study. In spite of these improvements, it is clear there is still a need to draw the attention of members of staff and pupils in schools about the illegal nature of this type of behavior (15).…”

Identifying the special needs of children with Type 1 diabetes in the school setting. An overview of parents’ perceptions

“…It is also interesting that 17% of parents experienced negative reactions from their schools when they informed them about their children's disease, and that a proportion of these parents felt they were the victims of discrimination against their children in the form of their children not being accepted into a school (5%) or being forced to find another, more cooperative, school (8%). Currently, most developed countries have laws to avoid discrimination against children with disabilities, such as Type 1 diabetes, and therefore these centres should be informed that these practices are illegal [27].…”

Diabetes care in schools – the disturbing facts

“…In the USA, several states 1 have passed legislation (5) to protect the rights of children with diabetes in schools. In Sweden, the Education Act (Skollagen) (6) makes education a right for all children and adolescents, and specific legislation requires schools to provide the same care for children in schools as they would receive in the home, including monitoring of blood glucose, assisting with administration of insulin and other medications (7).…”