Diabetes is a lifelong disease where the body does not properly process blood sugar (glucose) due to a lack of insulin production or insulin resistance. There are three main types of diabetes: Type 1 where the body does not produce insulin; Type 2 where the body does not produce enough insulin or cells ignore the insulin; and gestational diabetes during pregnancy. Common symptoms include frequent urination, weight loss, extreme hunger/thirst and fatigue. Effective treatment involves insulin therapy, dietary changes, exercise and blood sugar monitoring to control the disease and prevent complications. As educators, we must support students with diabetes by understanding the disease, allowing for diabetes care, and creating awareness and inclusion in the classroom.

1. DIABETES
BY: SABRINA DUGAN
CLASS: HEALTH, SAFETY, AND
NUTRITION FOR YOUNG
CHILDREN
EEC 4731
DATE: 1.30.2012

2. What is Diabetes?
 Diabetes is a lifelong, incurable disease. Diabetics
have high levels of sugar (hyperglycemia) in their
blood and their pancreas either produces little or
no insulin (a hormone) at all.
 Diabetes has three Types:
1. Type 1: most common in children.
2. Type 2: most common in adults.
3. Gestinational Diabetes: diabetes that develops
during pregnancy.
 Genetics can play a factor that leads to diabetes.

3. Type 1 Diabetes
 Type 1 is usually diagnosed in children and young
adults. The body does not produce any insulin in
this case.
 In most cases, it is genetically present in kids,
however, childhood obesity triggers risks of
developing diabetes.
 People with Type 1 diabetes usually inject insulin in
their bodies several times a day. People with
diabetes also seek insulin therapy and other
treatments to manage their condition.

4. Type 2
 The most common type of diabetes is type 2
diabetes. It is more common in the aged
population and certain races such as African
Americans, Latin Americans, and Asian
Americans, etc.
 In Type 2 diabetes, the body does not produce
adequate insulin. Type 2 diabetics

5. Symptoms of Type 1 and Type
2
 Diabetes often is undiagnosed because of the
harmless symptoms such as:
1. Frequent urination.
2. Rapid weight loss.
3. Extreme hunger and thirst.
4. Fatigue and irritability.
 Type 2 diabetics usually suffer from blurred
vision and tingling and numbness, etc.

6. Effective Treatment
 Because Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes is
incurable, it should be controlled to develop
future complications.
 Some treatments include:
• Insulin therapy
• Insulin Injections
• Dietary changes
• Daily exercise
• Monitor blood sugar.

7. Teacher Modifications
 Diabetes in children effects the child in many
ways. As a teacher, it is important to understand
and support kids with diabetes and it is important
to educate yourself about the disease and its
symptoms.
 If students are using insulin injections, then they
have to manage their diabetes 24 hours a day.
 Teachers can help students by preparing them
and providing them with diabetes care.
 Teachers can experiment with snack time and
make sure that the child‟s current diet meets his
or her current needs.

8. Teacher Modifications cont‟d
 Teachers can make kids feel more confident in
school and not exclude kids from activities.
 Teachers can educate themselves about
insulin injections and how to administer it.
 Teachers can incorporate more physical
activity in the classrooms and give students
sugar free snacks.
 Teachers can create more awareness about
the seriousness of diabetes.

9. How would I address the issue?
 As a future educator, I would work
together with school staff to target all
the challenges arising in class .
 I would follow the „People-first
language‟ rule, tweak it and educate
staff and children about addressing kids
with diabetes, for example: I would
teach them that addressing someone by
saying, “He‟s diabetic” is not
appropriate because the illness does
not define a person.
 I would incorporate lessons into the
curriculum that would create awareness
in the class about diabetes.

10. How would I address the issue?
Cont‟d
 I would inform parents about the chronic
disease and ask them to bring sugar-free
snacks to school.
 I would not make the student feel excluded in
the classroom, instead I would build his or her
confidence and treat him or her equally.
 I would attend seminars and workshops that
deal with working with kids with diabetes.
 I would educate myself about all the available
resources and treatments out there.

11. References
 Marotz, L.R., Cross, M.Z., & Rush, J.M. (7th
Edition) “Health, Safety & Nutrition for the Young
Child.” Albany, NY: Delmar. Print.
 "Symptoms - American Diabetes Association."
American Diabetes Association Home Page -
American Diabetes Association. Web. 29 Jan.
2012. <http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-
basics/symptoms/?__utma=1.220873443.132788
4791.1327884791.1327884791.1>.
 "What Is Diabetes? What Causes Diabetes?"
Medical News Today: Health News. Web. 29 Jan.
2012.
<http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/info/diabetes/
>.