How asthma-friendly is your school? Children spend many hours at school, so
it is critical that school professionals understand asthma and asthma management.
Children with asthma must have proper support at school to keep their asthma
under control and be fully active.
The National Asthma Education and Prevention Program (NAEPP) calls for schools
to adopt asthma management policies that encourage students to actively participate
in the self-management of their condition, while still taking part in school
activities.
Use the questions below to find out how well your school assists children
with asthma:
- Is your school free of tobacco smoke all
of the time, including during school-sponsored events?
- Does the school maintain good indoor air quality? Does it reduce or eliminate
allergens and irritants that can make asthma worse? Are any of the following
present: Cockroaches, dust mites, pets with
fur or feathers, mold, or strong odors or
fumes from such products as pesticides, paint, perfumes, and cleaning chemicals.
- Is there a school nurse in your school all day, every day? If not, is a
nurse regularly available to the school to help write plans and give guidance
for students with asthma about medicines, physical education, and field trips?
- Can children take medicines at school as recommended by their doctor and
parents? May children carry their own asthma medicines?
- Does your school have a written, individualized emergency plan for each
child in the event of a severe asthma episode (attack)? Does the plan make
it clear what to do? Whom to call? When to call?
- Does someone teach school staff about asthma, asthma management plans,
and asthma medicines? Does someone teach all students about asthma and how
to help a classmate who has it?
- Do students have good options for fully and safely participating in physical
education class and recess? (For example, do students have access to their
medicine before exercise? Can they choose modified or alternative activities
when medically necessary?)
If the answer to any question is no, students may be facing obstacles to asthma
control. Uncontrolled asthma can hinder a student's attendance, participation,
and progress in school. School staff, health professionals, and parents can
work together to remove obstacles and to promote students' health and education.
Federal and state laws are there to help children with asthma.
Asthma can be controlled. Expect nothing less.
Created by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.
Review Date: 5/16/2007
Reviewed By: Alan Greene, M.D., F.A.A.P., Department of Pediatrics, Packard Children's Hospital, Stanford University School of Medicine; Chief Medical Officer, A.D.A.M., Inc.
The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997-
A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
