Be aware of additional Triggers in the school setting that might cause your child's asthma to become worse:
- Classroom Pets: If they cannot get rid of the pet make sure your child is as far away as possible and
the cage is cleaned on a daily basis
- Carpet: Talk to the Maintenance Manager to get rid of the carpet or vacuum daily
- Perfume: ask teachers and other students not to wear perfumes or scented sprays
- Cockroaches: Talk to the Food Service Manager about a possible infestation
- Bus Exhaust Fumes: If your child rides the bus, make sure he/she rides in the front and doesn't sit on
an idling bus for an extended period of time
- Chalk Dust: Ask if the teacher can purchase dust free chalk
Findings and Recommendations from the New York State Department of Health
Enviornmentally-Based School Asthma Initiative has been released and can be ordered by calling
(518) 402-7950
Enviornmentally-Based School Asthma Initiative has been released and can be ordered by calling
(518) 402-7950
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
back to School Asthma Checklist
With the start of school here, the American Lung Association is advising parents of children with asthma to
follow a simple checklist to ensure this sometimes debilitating disease doesn't hinder their child's academic
year.
Almost 11 percent of school-age children have asthma. Annually, these students miss some 13 million days in
the classroom because of asthma, making it one of the most common reasons kids are absent from school.
The American Lung Association also urges parents who have children with asthma to:
follow a simple checklist to ensure this sometimes debilitating disease doesn't hinder their child's academic
year.
Almost 11 percent of school-age children have asthma. Annually, these students miss some 13 million days in
the classroom because of asthma, making it one of the most common reasons kids are absent from school.
The American Lung Association also urges parents who have children with asthma to:
- Schedule an asthma check-up: Even if your child's condition is well controlled, meeting with your
pediatrician is also an opportunity to evaluate medications and physical activity restrictions.
- Confirm medicines are up-to-date and fill prescriptions: If your child uses an inhaler, ensure you have a
current prescription for the new HFA inhaler (the old CFC inhalers will now longer be available after
Dec. 31, 2008). Ensure your child's asthma prescriptions have sufficient refills available and have not
expired.
- Know about prescription assistance services: Two organizations can help if you have issues affording
your child's asthma medication. The Partnership for Prescription Assistance can be reached at 1-888-
4PPA-NOW. Rx Outreach provides online help at www.rxoutreach.com.
- Have an Asthma Action Plan: An asthma action plan details personal information about the child's
asthma symptoms, medications, any physical activity limitations, and provides specific instructions
about what to do if an asthma attack does not improve with prescribed medication. Provide this to all
your student's teachers, coaches, the school nurse, and the front office administrators.
- Meet with your child's school nurse and teachers: Discuss with your child's teachers specific triggers
and typical symptoms. Learn if the school allows students to carry and independently administer their
asthma medication. Learn what steps need to be taken to have your child carry and use his or her
inhaler if recommended by a doctor.
- Know your schools asthma emergency plan: Ensure that your child's school knows how to contact you
in case of an emergency. You should also know the school's past history of dealing with asthma
episodes. Confirm that school staffers -- including after-school coaches and bus drivers -- have been
trained to respond to asthma emergencies.
school info
school info