Back to School with Asthma

For Immediate Release

IRVING, TX (August 31, 2004) – As kids get ready to go back to school, parents everywhere have a lot on their minds: carpool schedules, new clothes and backpacks, school supplies, and the like.

But respiratory therapists from the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) say parents of kids with asthma need to add another item to the list: making sure their child's school has a plan to follow in case their child has an asthma attack while on school grounds.

“If your child has asthma, it’s very important for the school to have an Asthma Action Plan on file,” says Tom Kallstrom, RRT, AE-C, FAARC, a registered respiratory therapist and a certified asthma educator. This plan will tell school personnel exactly what must be done in case of an attack, including how the child will get to his “rescue” inhaler — the medication that quickly opens up the lungs when kids have trouble breathing.

“It is extremely important for the child to have access to rescue medications,” says Kallstrom, who is the AARC’s representative to the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program, whether that’s accomplished by allowing the child to carry an inhaler with him at all times or by giving him permission to go immediately to the nurse’s office and use it there.

“Questions to ask are, can my child carry an inhaler with him at school and, if not, how will my child obtain one in an emergency,” continues the respiratory therapist.

Kallstrom also suggests finding out whether teachers and other staff members at the school have been trained to handle an asthma emergency and what their response will be if problems arise.

Physical education teachers, in particular, need to know what to do when asthma flares up, because many children are prone to exercise induced asthma.

Since back-to-school time is also back-to-organized-sports time for many children, he adds the same is true for other coaches in your child's life. “Make sure coaching staff are aware of who has respiratory problems,” says Kallstrom. “Being involved in sports should never be avoided because of asthma – you just need to make sure appropriate action will be taken should your child require medical attention.”

The bottom line, says the respiratory therapist, is to take charge of your child’s asthma, on the playing field and most particularly at school. “Never, ever hesitate to ask questions of the school administration, teachers, or staff,” says Kallstrom. It’s the only way to make sure your child will get the care he needs in case asthma flares up at school.

Respiratory Therapists (RTs) are specially trained and licensed respiratory health care professionals assisting physicians in diagnosis, treatment and management of respiratory diseases. RTs provide care in hospitals, outpatient centers, physicians’ offices, skilled nursing facilities, and patients’ homes.

The American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) is a not-for-profit, professional organization, consisting of 35,000 respiratory therapists, physicians, and other health care professionals. AARC is dedicated to assisting persons with respiratory diseases receive safe and effective respiratory care.

Suggested Sidebar: Tips from the AARC on Going Back to School with Asthma

Sending your asthmatic child back to school can be traumatic, but with a little planning, parents, children, and school staff can all feel confident about handling any situation that might arise. Check out these tips from the American Association for Respiratory Care:

		Back to School with Asthma For Immediate Release IRVING, TX (August 31, 2004) – As kids get ready to go back to school, parents everywhere have a lot on their minds: carpool schedules, new clothes and backpacks, school supplies, and the like. But respiratory therapists from the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) say parents of kids with asthma need to add another item to the list: making sure their child's school has a plan to follow in case their child has an asthma attack while on school grounds. “If your child has asthma, it’s very important for the school to have an Asthma Action Plan on file,” says Tom Kallstrom, RRT, AE-C, FAARC, a registered respiratory therapist and a certified asthma educator. This plan will tell school personnel exactly what must be done in case of an attack, including how the child will get to his “rescue” inhaler — the medication that quickly opens up the lungs when kids have trouble breathing. “It is extremely important for the child to have access to rescue medications,” says Kallstrom, who is the AARC’s representative to the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program, whether that’s accomplished by allowing the child to carry an inhaler with him at all times or by giving him permission to go immediately to the nurse’s office and use it there. “Questions to ask are, can my child carry an inhaler with him at school and, if not, how will my child obtain one in an emergency,” continues the respiratory therapist. Kallstrom also suggests finding out whether teachers and other staff members at the school have been trained to handle an asthma emergency and what their response will be if problems arise. Physical education teachers, in particular, need to know what to do when asthma flares up, because many children are prone to exercise induced asthma. Since back-to-school time is also back-to-organized-sports time for many children, he adds the same is true for other coaches in your child's life. “Make sure coaching staff are aware of who has respiratory problems,” says Kallstrom. “Being involved in sports should never be avoided because of asthma – you just need to make sure appropriate action will be taken should your child require medical attention.” The bottom line, says the respiratory therapist, is to take charge of your child’s asthma, on the playing field and most particularly at school. “Never, ever hesitate to ask questions of the school administration, teachers, or staff,” says Kallstrom. It’s the only way to make sure your child will get the care he needs in case asthma flares up at school. Respiratory Therapists (RTs) are specially trained and licensed respiratory health care professionals assisting physicians in diagnosis, treatment and management of respiratory diseases. RTs provide care in hospitals, outpatient centers, physicians’ offices, skilled nursing facilities, and patients’ homes. The American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) is a not-for-profit, professional organization, consisting of 35,000 respiratory therapists, physicians, and other health care professionals. AARC is dedicated to assisting persons with respiratory diseases receive safe and effective respiratory care. Suggested Sidebar: Tips from the AARC on Going Back to School with Asthma Sending your asthmatic child back to school can be traumatic, but with a little planning, parents, children, and school staff can all feel confident about handling any situation that might arise. Check out these tips from the American Association for Respiratory Care: Ask your doctor or respiratory therapist to help you develop an Asthma Action Plan to give to school administration or the school nurse. Be sure to clearly mark all medications with your child’s name, the name of the medication, and complete instructions on how it should be used. If your child will be allowed to carry medications while at school, be sure you’ve followed all the school’s rules for this privilege, including filling out all permission forms. Be sure the school has current contact information for you and at least two back-up individuals. Speak personally with school personnel – including your child's teacher and physical education teacher – about your child’s asthma and the need to follow the action plan in case of a flare up. Don’t let asthma limit what your child can do, at school or in sports. Children with properly controlled asthma can and should be able to participate in any activity they like! For more information on asthma, visit the AARC’s consumer web site, www.YourLungHealth.org. Editor’s Note: Some states have passed laws requiring schools to allow children to carry asthma inhalers while on school grounds. Parents should check with their school district leaders for more information on these laws. For a complete list of the states with a law about schoolchildren carrying their inhalers, visit www.YourLungHealth.org/headlines/inhaler_laws.cfm. ### Contact: Kris Williams AARC Communications Manager (972) 406-4690, Williams@aarc.org