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. With asthma hitting its highest numbers when children go back to school, this section provides some resources to help get you ready for school.

What to do in an Asthma Attack Emergency?
(poster)

Get ready for school!

When you start a new school year, be sure your teacher knows you have asthma. This will help them understand that you need quick and easy access to your reliever medicine. Here are more helpful tips:

Check your Asthma Action Plan and make sure you are not part of the September Peak
Tips for parents when communicating with schools about a child with asthma, (Asthma Canada)
Bring a copy of your "Me and My Asthma Information Card" for the school to put on file
What to do in an Asthma Attack emergency (poster). Print and take this poster to school and ask for it to be posted (Lung Health Foundation)

Don't Forget!

Know where to check the expiry dates on all asthma medicines
Children with known anaphylaxis or allergies should carry an epinephrine auto-injector to school every day.
Remember to wear your Medical Alert Identification bracelet, (MedicAlert)
Ask your doctor, asthma educator or pharmacist to review your child's asthma medicine device technique
Avoid your asthma triggers and get the flu shot 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

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".

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!

The resources below will help prepare you for going back to school and the September Asthma Peak:

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.

Asthma Attack (poster): What to do in an emergency, (Lung Health Association)
Asthma Tips for Teachers, Coaches and Parents
Sample letter from the school to parent with a child with asthma, (Asthma Canada)
Get Smart About Tobacco: Created by teachers to initiate discussion, containing worksheets and handouts for Grade 3-6 children, (Alberta Quits)
Creating Asthma Friendly Schools: Share this resource with your school if you think their asthma policies and procedures could be improved, (Lung Health Foundation)
How to manage food allergy in schools, (Food Allergy Canada )
Asthma Management in Schools, (Asthma Canada)

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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.

Community Pediatric Asthma Service

Asthma and School

Get ready for school!

Don't Forget!

What is the September Asthma Peak?

Resources for Teachers