one additional link: http://www.ndep.nih.gov/publications/index.aspx?Audience=School+Personnel
I am a type one speech/language pathologist who has worked 30 years in public schools. In my district, this child would have a 504 plan AND/OR a detailed Medical Plan drawn up in conjunction with the child’s doctor, school nusing/teaching staff, and the parents. Both of these are signed documents. Did you speak with these individuals, in this order,: the parents,the school nurse, and your administrator? You kind of need to take all these steps to help the child AND to cover yourself. I know it can be a trifle scary as a first-year teacher to feel like you are coming in “rocking the boat,” but as Leo2 says, you are astute, caring and involved… and I do not see that as anything but positive. Your superiors will see that too.
Go Bless,
Brunetta
P.s. I have been called in, my some of my school nurses and teachers ,as the "authority"on
type one issues with students, and have even spoken infomally to the parents of Type One students and to the students themselves. Most Parents are happy to see a long term type one diabetic who is content, active,fulfilled, and fully functioning. It gives them hope for the future. U can be that hope, as well, Robyn.
As a parent I would definitely want to know. In general, I expect reports on how my kids are doing at school (granted they are young). The caution is just not to be implying accusation in any way, just that the kid is drinking tons and peeing a lot, and that you as a diabetic know what happened to you were showing these symptoms. They may just not know…you might spend 6-8 hours a day with this kid, and they might see him for an hour in the morning and a couple of hours at night. Reality is, you might have more opportunity to witness what is going on. Also, you could suggest to the kid that you guys test together sometime, just to make sure he is not way high.
Just bring it up to the parents as a “concern” that you have for the student knowing what a type 1 diabetic goes through and that it can effect the child’s time in the classroom and learning process. I was diagnosed in the fifth grade and every time I see my fifth grade teacher she asks how my diabetes is before everything else, she is a type 2 now. It still feels good that a teacher who has seen hundreds of students before and after me still remembers me and my condition. If the parents cause problems because you have a legit concern for their child then something is wrong with them!!!
Hey , You are concern ;that’s being agood teacher. You’re not making a Dx . Stating your concerns to the parents isn’t “sticking you nose in…” ,It’s being a responsable teacher. Do the right thing and follow your gut feeling. It’s better to be wromng than to have this child end up in the hospital or worse.
Without a 504 in place, my first thought IS to approach the parents… you can do it more along the lines of informing them of what their options really are. They might not be fully aware of what their rights are, in terms of their child, and what the school is legally obligated to provide.
Honestly without the 504 in place, it likely IS that the school is doing the best they can, and this is an issue with the SCHOOL, and not the parents or the child. Perhaps the parents share your concerns as well. They could be pleased as punch to have you on their side - you never know, but I wouldn’t hesitate to approach them.
VERY DEFINITELY mention it to the parents. I used to teach elementary school also, that was prediabetes, but I did mention these kinds of changes to parents and asked it they noticed something at home. If nothing else, it will alert them to the change or non-change in their child, and might be able to check it out, or at least be mindful at home. You are with him probably more than the parents are during the day, so saying something is only showing concern and caring on your part. If they tell you to mind your own business, then you can and should. But if you found out later that there was a problem and you could have mentioned this to them…how would you feel. Or if your school has a school nurse, mention it to her/him and let them contact the parents with “the teacher has told me that…” I never in 20 years of teaching ever had a parent tell me to MYOB about a medical problem I noticed, from glasses, to bladders to diabetes…I always got a thank you for noticing.
Good luck!
oh jeez… no 504 Plan? And I presume the parents don’t know he needs one? Good lord. This child could have a health crisis at any time now (and actually IS having a health crisis) and there’s no protection for him. Definitely approach the parents, and if need be get them in touch with the ADA, because even though it’s a little bit late to create a 504 Plan, it is in EVERYONE’S best interest (even the school’s) to sit down and create one ASAP.