Community Pediatric Asthma Service
Asthma and School
Asthma is the most common chronic illness in children and the #1 reason for missing school in North America (associated with colds and flu). September has the highest number of hospital emergency visits, hospital admissions and doctor visits for asthma, which is why this time of the year is often referred to as the "September Asthma Peak".
School and COVID-19
School is looking different this year. Here are some excellent resources for both parents and children to help make the transition.
- All about masks: Back to School with a mask; Wearing a mask, from the Asthma Clinic at the Alberta Children's Hospital; Wear a mask like a hero!; How to breathe easier while wearing a mask
- COVID-19 Parent's guide to the School Year 2020-21
- COVID-19 Return to School for Children with Respiratory Illness: FAQs
The September Asthma Peak
Our Asthma Educators have made a list of helpful tips to help prepare for the September Asthma Peak:
- Most children with asthma use their asthma medicine on a regular basis, but if you stopped taking your asthma preventer/controller inhalers, pills and nasal sprays during the summer, start taking them again before school starts. Emergency visits for asthma peak in mid-September, a few weeks after kids go back to school and start sharing their viruses!
- Know where to check the expiry dates on all your asthma medicine
- Children with known anaphylaxis should carry their EpiPen to school every day
- Children with allergies should carry their epinephrine auto-injector with them at all times. They should also remember to wear their medical alert bracelets or get one if they don't have one
- Ask your pharmacist to review your child's asthma medicine device technique
- Avoid your asthma triggers and get the flu shot for your family as soon as it is available
- If you have any asthma questions, see your doctor or talk to your school nurse, pharmacist or asthma educator
Resources for Teachers
Teachers play an important role in the care of our child's health. With the goal of keeping teachers informed about asthma, we have found the links below very helpful:
- A child is having an asthma attack: What to do
- Allergy/Anaphylaxis Management at School
- Anxiety (Anxiety Canada); Food Allergy Anxiety guide from Allergic Living (available for purchase but highly recommended)
- Asthma Friendly Schools
- Asthma Management in Schools, Asthma Canada
- Asthma Action Plans
- Asthma Tips for Teachers, Coaches and Parents
- Sample letter from school to parent for child with asthma
- Communicating with schools
- Preparing for back to school and the September Peak, September Spike Interview with a Calgary Emergency Physician
- Tools for Teachers and Schools provided by AlbertaQuits
- Triggers in school
In School
If you have a new teacher in September that doesn't know you have asthma, tell them. This will help them understand that you need quick and easy access to your reliever medicine.
- Print out the poster "A child is having an asthma attack: What to do and take it to your teacher
- Bring a copy of your "Me and My Asthma Information Card" for the school to put on file
When School is Out
When summertime comes and school is out, do not plan on taking a vacation from your asthma medicine.
- If you don't want to be part of the September rush to the Emergency Department each year, start taking your asthma medicine before school starts
- Visit our "Travelling with Asthma" section for more vacation tips
Walk | Run | Play | Breathe
Material on this website has been designed for information purposes only. It should not be used in place of medical advice, instruction and/or treatment. If you have specific questions, please consult your doctor or appropriate health care professional.