16 school tips for kids with asthma

Managing asthma at school doesn’t have to feel like solving a puzzle with missing pieces. When children spend most of their time in schools, it becomes crucial to reduce their exposure to environmental asthma triggers as much as possible, especially since asthma is one of the leading causes of school absenteeism among students under 18. The good news is that with proper planning and communication, kids with asthma can thrive in the classroom just like their peers.

Here’s a list of 16 practical tips that can make school a safer, more comfortable place for children with asthma.

Create a comprehensive asthma action plan

Your child’s healthcare provider should complete an Asthma Action Plan using a three-zone system with green, yellow, and red zones that correspond to different symptom levels. This document becomes your child’s roadmap for managing asthma throughout the school day. The plan gives teachers and school staff instructions on how to provide aid during flare-ups and when to seek medical assistance.

Meet with the school nurse early

Schedule a meeting with the school nurse to provide up-to-date forms and asthma medications, and ask about the nurse’s hours since some schools share nurses or don’t have one on staff. This conversation helps you understand who will be responsible for giving your child medication when needed. Clear communication is essential for success in building this partnership.

Ensure quick access to rescue inhalers

Every child with asthma should always carry their rescue inhaler and know how to use it independently, as attacks can happen suddenly and be frightening when no adults are nearby. All 50 states have laws allowing students to carry and use their medication at school with proper authorization. Make sure teachers understand this legal right and that children should never be punished for using their inhaler.

Communicate with all relevant teachers

The more teachers who know about your child’s asthma, the better, since they could have an attack in art class or music class where their classroom teacher isn’t present. Schedule conversations with PE teachers, art instructors, and music teachers to discuss specific needs. Sometimes kids with breathing trouble don’t perform as well academically, so teacher awareness helps provide appropriate support when needed.

Address physical education concerns proactively

Parents, PE teachers, and coaches should meet at the beginning of the school year to discuss the child’s asthma and ensure everyone has updated action plans. Make sure your child always has a quick-relief inhaler at gym class and games, with everyone knowing where it’s located. Don’t let asthma sideline your child completely – they can participate fully in activities while staying safe.

Identify and minimize classroom triggers

Common classroom triggers include dust, chalk dust, strong cleaning product scents, pet dander from classroom animals, and outdoor allergens like pollen that enter through open doors and windows. Work with teachers and custodial staff by requesting fragrance-free classrooms and ensuring cleaning products won’t trigger symptoms. Simple changes like closing windows can keep pollen out of the classroom and make a huge difference.

Establish emergency protocols

Students experiencing an asthma attack should never be left alone, and the school nurse should be contacted immediately with 911 called if symptoms worsen. Your asthma action plan should clearly specify when to call your child’s doctor versus emergency services, including contact numbers for guardians and trusted friends. Make sure the plan includes your preferred hospital’s emergency room information to save precious time during a crisis.

Train substitute teachers and staff

You won’t always know when there will be a substitute teacher, so make sure the regular teacher informs substitutes about your child’s asthma and keeps an action plan copy in the classroom. Consider providing laminated cards with essential information for temporary staff members. The bus driver should also receive your child’s asthma action plan since attacks can happen during transportation for consistent care regardless of staffing changes.

Monitor medication expiration and supplies

For some inhalers, there’s no way to tell if the device still has medicine, so you need to track when you send inhalers to school and replace them regularly. Set calendar reminders to check expiration dates and replace inhalers before they run out. Provide the school with quick-relief albuterol inhalers properly labeled and stored according to school policies, like keeping a car’s gas tank full.

Understand your child’s readiness for self-management

Work with your doctor to assess your child’s comfort level with using medicine and devices, determining how to prepare them for independent inhaler use. Ideally, children should keep track of when to take medicine and know how to use an inhaler properly. Schools can use tools to evaluate a student’s ability to self-carry inhalers and identify improvement areas, building confidence for better long-term asthma management.

Coordinate care during special activities

When developing asthma plans, consider management during school activities, field trips, and times when a school nurse isn’t present. Special events like field trips require additional planning since usual support systems might not be available. Make sure chaperones understand your child’s needs and have access to emergency medications and contact information to ensure safety away from school.

Leverage stock inhaler programs

Twenty-five states have laws allowing schools to stock quick-relief medications for students with asthma, providing an important backup option. If your school has stock albuterol available, coaches and PE teachers should know how to access and administer the medication during emergencies. Even if your child carries their own inhaler, having backup medication provides an extra layer of security through these programs.

Address anxiety and emotional support

Missing school can cause anxiety in children, and anxiety symptoms can sometimes mimic asthma, so call your healthcare provider if you think your child isn’t feeling well due to anxiety. Some children with asthma tend to hide their symptoms because they don’t want to appear different. Work with teachers to create a supportive environment where your child feels comfortable seeking help when needed.

Maintain regular health assessments

A person’s asthma should be reviewed with a doctor every 6 months for children and the action plan updated if necessary, with current plans provided to schools and caregivers. Schools should periodically evaluate students’ plans to ensure they contain current information like medications and contact details. Regular check-ins help catch changes in asthma patterns before they become problematic by scheduling reviews at the beginning of each school year.

Focus on environmental improvements

Schools can use the EPA’s Framework for Effective School Indoor Air Quality Management to improve the school environment and reduce exposure to environmental asthma triggers. Conducting walkthroughs using IAQ Tools for Schools Action Kit checklists can help determine whether asthma triggers exist, leading to remediation plans. Advocate for your school to participate in these improvement programs since better air quality benefits all students and staff.

Build a support network

Teachers can support students with asthma by encouraging a school community that is free from bullying, with awareness and education creating safe and supportive environments. Successful school-based asthma programs establish strong links with asthma care providers and build teams of enthusiastic staff including school nurses. Connect with other parents who have children with asthma to share experiences and strategies for collaborative approaches that help students manage their condition.

Building confidence for lifelong success

When asthma is well-controlled, students are ready to learn and can achieve equally good school attendance as their healthy peers. The strategies and partnerships you build during your child’s school years lay the foundation for their independence and confidence in managing asthma throughout their life. Every conversation with a teacher, every updated action plan, and every successful day at school builds their understanding that asthma doesn’t have to limit their dreams or aspirations. With proper management and support, children with asthma can excel academically, participate in sports, and enjoy all the experiences that school has to offer.

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