Amanda Faulkner Diabetes in Young Children

Diabetes (Type 1 or Juvenile) “A syndrome with disordered metabolism and inappropriately high blood glucose levels due to a deficiency of insulin secretion in the pancreas.” “After a meal, a portion of the food a person eats is broken down into sugar (glucose). The sugar then passes into the bloodstream and into the body's cells via a hormone called insulin. Insulin is produced by the pancreas.” People that have diabetes do not create sufficient insulin to break down the sugar in their bodies which results in “sugar highs” or “sugar lows” and create health issues. (Health Encyclopedia)

Signs and Symptoms Frequent urination Increased thirst Extreme hunger Unexplained weight loss Extreme weakness and fatigue Urinating at night Blurred vision Numbness or tingling in the hands or feet Heavy or labored breathing Drowsiness or lethargy Fruity odor on the breath

Managing a child with diabetes... Children with diabetes need a lot of attention and extra care. They need their sugar levels monitored frequently. They need insulin shots as needed Monitored low sugar/carb diet Exercise

Teaching Modification... The only modification that would be needed for this child would be for them to be allowed access to snacks at all times, and the teaching will frequently have to take breaks in her day to monitor the child’s glucose levels and give them the proper dose of insulin or sugar as needed.

Keeping your children aware... As a classroom teacher of a child with diabetes I would possibly have a short lesson on what it is and what needs to be done if there are any emergencies with our diabetic classmate. I would make sure that the children know the signs and symptoms in case the child is to have an emergency I would also make sure that the children know to notify me or an adult to seek help if the child is having an emergency.