It Takes a Community: Helping Parents Create a Healthy, Safe Environment for Children with Asthma...
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Transcript of It Takes a Community: Helping Parents Create a Healthy, Safe Environment for Children with Asthma...
It Takes a CommunityIt Takes a Community: : Helping Parents Create Helping Parents Create a a Healthy, Safe Environment for Healthy, Safe Environment for Children with AsthmaChildren with Asthma
American Association of School AdministratorsNational School Boards Association
Why?Why?Nearly three children in every
classroom of 30 has asthma.If uncontrolled, asthma can be very
disruptive to a child’s school experience; at worst, it can be fatal.
With proper management, a child’s asthma can be controlled.
Creating an asthma-friendly environment benefits everyone.
What is Asthma?What is Asthma?Asthma is a chronic (ongoing, long-term)
disease that narrows the passageways to the lungs, making it difficult to breathe.
Children with asthma always have it, but they only have trouble breathing when something bothers their lungs. These are known as “triggers.”
Each person’s asthma is unique. Triggers and symptoms differ for each person.
An asthma attack is when asthma symptoms get out of control.
When asthma is present, the lungs show three primary changes :
• Swelling of the lining of the airways,• Tightening of the muscle bands around the airways, and• Excess mucus production, making it difficult to breathe.
Normal lung tissue Lung tissue with asthma
Symptoms of Asthma
A child may experience one or all of these symptoms:
WheezingCoughingShortness of breathRapid breathingDifficulty talkingTightness in the chest
Asthma Medications There are two types of medications to help manage asthma:
Quick Relief Medications◦Taken immediately at the first sign of
symptoms◦Should be easily available to the child at
all timesController Medications
◦Preventive only; does not provide relief during an asthma attack
◦Usually taken at home
Medical Devices that Help Medical Devices that Help Manage AsthmaManage Asthma
Spacer and Valved Holding Chamber
Used with quick relief medications.
Helps medication reach deeper into the lungs.
Peak Flow MeterMeasures air output.Can show signs of
symptoms before a child feels them.
Asthma can be controlled, but not cured.
Here’s what parents can do.
Action StepsComplete and Maintain Asthma Action PlansReduce Asthma TriggersManage Medications and Master TechniquesEncourage Opportunities for Physical
ActivityEstablish and Maintain Good
Communication with School and CommunityProvide and/or Take Advantage of Asthma
Education
Action Step #1: Asthma Action Plans An Asthma Action plan has all the important information about a child’s asthma in one place. Written by a health practitioner, it includes:
A child’s specific asthma triggers
Which medications a child takes and when to take them
What to do if symptoms get worse
When to call 911
Asthma Action Plans – cont.An updated asthma action plan
should be completed every school year and revised at each doctor visit.
Provide a copy to the:◦School nurse and other school
personnel;◦Out-of-school providers;◦Anyone responsible for the child’s
care.
Action #2 - Reduce Asthma Triggers
Triggers are different for every child with asthma and may include:
Action #2 - Reduce Asthma TriggersTake steps to reduce exposure to triggers. Ensure children with asthma have:A smoke-free environmentPets without dander such as fishA dust-free and mold-free environment, cleaned with appropriate cleansersEnsure A/C and ventilation systems are free of air pollutantsNo bus or car idling policiesAccess to medications before and after exercise, if in the Asthma Action Plan
Action #3 -- Manage Asthma Medications
Quick relief medications should be easily available to a child at all times.◦ Self-carry for students who meet school
district’s criteria◦ Back-up emergency medication plan for
students allowed to self-administer medication◦ Parents obtain at least 3 sets of
medications/devices (for home, school, out-of-school activity)
Schools may be a resource to parents in exploring insurance options to cover medication costs.
Action # 4 -- Encourage Opportunities For Physical ActivityRegular exercise is important for all children, including those with asthma.Children with asthma, coaches, teachers, and out of school providers should know how to manage asthma when a child is physically active.Medications and individual children’s asthma action plans should be easily accessible.
Action # 5 -- Establish and Maintain Good Communication
Discuss the child’s asthma with school staff and out-of-school caregivers.
Make sure the child understands his/her medications and is able to communicate their needs
Inform school and caregivers of absences due to asthma.
Action #6 -- Provide or Take Advantage of Asthma Education
Review and assess policies to see if they are asthma friendly.
Attend training, and obtain and share information about asthma with school personnel.
Make sure that the school and district provide asthma management and emergency training to all staff.
Review the health curriculum to see if it provides information on asthma and asthma management for students.
ResourcesResources
NATIONAL RESOURCES
Allergy and Asthma Network/Mothers of Asthmatics
American Association of School Administrators
American Lung Association Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention Environmental Protection
Agency National Asthma Education an
Prevention Program/NIH National Association of School
Nurses National PTA National School Boards
Association
LOCAL RESOURCES
Guide for Families, Schools, and CommunitiesGuide for Families, Schools, and Communities
Available on-line at Http://www.aasa.org and at http://www.nsba.org
THANK YOU!!
This presentation was developed by the American Association of School Administrators (AASA) and the National School Boards Association (NSBA). AASA is the membership organization for local school system leaders across the country. NSBA represents state associations of school boards and their member districts. This presentation was developed under a cooperative agreement with the Division of Adolescent and School Health of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention grant number U58/DP 000398-04. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.