Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease where the pancreas stops producing insulin, which is needed to convert food into energy. Common symptoms include frequent urination, extreme thirst and hunger, fatigue, and weight loss. Strict management is required, including balancing insulin, food, exercise, and blood sugar monitoring. At school, children with type 1 diabetes must receive insulin injections and manage their condition through diet, exercise, and testing and treating high and low blood sugar levels. Teachers and staff need training to recognize signs of high and low blood sugar and how to respond.

1. TYPE 1 DIABETES AT SCHOOL
What are the symptoms of Type 1
Diabetes?
 Urinating often
 Feeling very thirsty
 Feeling very hungry - even though the child is eating
 Extreme fatigue
 Blurry vision
 Cuts/bruises that are slow to heal
 Weight loss - even though the child is eating more
What is Type 1 Diabetes?
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease in which a
person’s pancreas stops producing insulin. Insulin is a hormone
that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into
energy needed for daily life. Type 1 diabetes usually strikes in
childhood, adolescence, or young adulthood, and lasts a
lifetime. People with T1D must take multiple injections of
insulin daily or continually infuse insulin through a pump.
CONTROL AND MANAGEMENT:
The key to T1D control is a careful
balance between food, exercise,
and insulin. Food raises blood
glucose levels, while insulin and
exercise lower them. A good T1D
treatment plan includes:
 Eating reasonably, consistently,
and on schedule
 Testing blood sugar levels
regularly
 Adjusting insulin based on blood
sugar levels and activities
 Exercising regularly
NICOLE CURETON
SPED 5960
. Signs and Symptoms of Low Blood Sugar: Hypoglycemia (happen quickly)
*Shakiness *Nervousness or anxiety *Sweating, chills and clamminess *Irritability or impatience *Confusion, including delirium
*Rapid/fast heartbeat *Lightheadedness or dizziness *Hunger and nausea *Sleepiness *Blurred/impaired vision *Tingling or
numbness in the lips or tongue *Headaches *Weakness or fatigue * Anger, stubbornness, or sadness * Lack of coordination
*Nightmares or crying out during sleep *Seizures *Unconsciousness
USEFUL WEBSITES
www.jdrf.org
www.diabetes.org
www.childrenwithdiabetes.com
www.diabeteshealth.com
www.parentingdiabetickids.com
www.diabeteskidsandteens.com
MAY 2014

2. STRATEGIES FOR MANAGEMENT AT SCHOOL
INSULIN
Children with type 1 diabetes must inject insulin many
times a day. The exact number of injections varies from
person to person. Insulin injections typically occur at
regularly scheduled times during the day. Syringes or
insulin pens are both used for injections, but both essentially
do the same thing. Some people find the pen to be more
convenient when they only need a single kind of insulin.
Some children also find the pen needles more comfortable
than the syringe needles. Most children eventually inject
their own insulin.
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SPECIAL POINTS OF INTEREST
AND/OR CALL-OUTS
What to Do About High Blood Sugar
Levels
1. If blood test results are slightly above normal:
 Continue regular activity
 Drink water or sugar-free drinks
 Monitor blood sugar levels by checking
regularly
 Chart blood glucose test results
2. If blood test results are moderately high:
 Don’t engage in strenuous exercise
 Drink water or sugar-free drinks
 Inject additional insulin if instructed by
physician or parents
 Monitor blood sugar levels by checking
regularly
 Chart blood glucose test results
3. If blood test results are very high:
 Drink water or sugar-free drinks
 Inject additional insulin if instructed by
parents or physician
 Test ketone levels if advised by
parents or physician. If high, contact
parent or physician immediately
 Monitor blood sugar levels by
checking regularly
 Chart blood glucose test results
Other Health Impairment or OHI
Definition
The federal definition of Other Health
Impairment as spelled out by IDEA is as
follows:
Other health impairment means having limited
strength, vitality, or alertness, including a
heightened alertness to environmental stimuli,
that results in limited alertness with respect to
the educational environment, that—
(i) Is due to chronic or acute health problems
such as asthma, attention deficit disorder or
attention deficit hyperactivity disorder,
diabetes, epilepsy, a heart condition,
hemophilia, lead poisoning, leukemia,
nephritis, rheumatic fever, sickle cell anemia,
and Tourette syndrome; and
(ii) Adversely affects a child’s educational
performance.
References:
www.specialeducationbehaviormodification.com
www.jdrf.org
www.diabetes.org
What to Do About Low Blood Sugar Levels
A blood glucose meter reading below the target range specified by the
physician indicates low blood sugar. The following are general treatments
for low blood sugar. The physician and parents should determine what
course to follow. Please note that people with type 1 diabetes (T1D) have
symptoms of low blood sugar at various readings. Some people with T1D
feel perfectly fine at readings below 70. Others begin to show low blood
sugar symptoms at readings somewhat above 70.
1. If blood sugar levels are slightly low and the person is alert and lucid, he
or she should:
 Not exercise.
 Eat. After eating, check blood sugar level again to make sure it is
within the target range. The person may require another snack later in
the day.
 Continue to check blood sugar levels regularly.
2. If blood sugar levels are low and the individual is showing signs of low
blood sugar but is still able to eat:
 He or she should immediately eat or drink a fast-acting source of
glucose (i.e., juice, glucose gel, or tablets). He or she may need to eat
more food after that (i.e., crackers or other complex carbohydrate).
 Continue to check blood sugar levels regularly.
3. If blood sugar levels are low and the individual is showing ns of low blood
sugar and is unconscious, convulsing, and/or unable to swallow:
 Remain calm.
 DO NOT administer food or drink to an unconscious person, as it may
obstruct the airway.
 Position the individual on the floor on his/her side to prevent falling,
injury, or choking.
 Call 911.
 Administer emergency glucagon shot (unconsciousness may last up to
10 minutes post-glucagon; be prepared for vomiting as the
individual becomes conscious).
 Continue to check blood sugar levels regularly.
 Give additional food (i.e., crackers or other complex carbohydrate)
when able to eat, if needed, in order to keep blood sugar levels in
target range.
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City, STATE 55555
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