Accommodation Planning for the Student with Diabetes

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    This guide is used in addition to the accommodation checklists provided by The Washington State Task Force for Students with Diabetes.  Planning is a collaborative effort which includes input from the student, parents, physician, school nurse, school administration and staff. 

    The following forms must be completed prior to the student attending school:  

     
    A meeting with the School Nurse, the following will be discussed:
      •   Health history

    Schedule of “normal day” regarding meals, insulin, exercise.  

    • Schedule of school day (recess, snack time, lunch, specialist time, PE days) to determine how this will fit with the specific needs of student.

    This information helps create the 504 Plan, which also includes the information below. 

    Blood Sugar Testing:  Determine specific needs of student based on schedule: What orders are in place, times of routine testing, where blood glucose will be tested, who will log results, communicating with parent, level of support student needs, what to do for low blood sugar before lunch versus what to do for low blood sugar occurring mid day.

    Low Blood Sugar:  Determine potential times of needing extra support, and have a plan for each of those areas: Lows in or after PE, lows in class, lows in Specialist, lows at recess, lows during the last 30 minutes of school.

    • Identify when student can self treat versus when student will need extra support: Does the student need a follow up plan when low, who will be the point person to manage this, and where the follow up should occur. 

    Identify a “point person”(or a couple point persons if there are split shifts) who can support the student through out the day if needed (health room ParaPro, office staff, teacher).  This person is also the communication source for the parent (ie.“Add another blood glucose check”, or “don’t take the bus home”).  Someone in the office should always be able to help the student and know the plan as well.

    A student must always have a buddy accompany (student or adult) them to the office when not feeling well, or if low blood sugar is suspected and student is unable to test in the classroom.  Teachers should always call office to alert them the student is coming.    If concerned, always treat for low blood sugar first and test later. 

    High Blood Sugar:  Not an emergency.  Notify parent. Encourage water.  Treat as stated in the Health Care Provider Orders..

    Other:  Bathroom privileges, access to drinking water, education of classmates, field trip planning, parties and special events.

    Snack Bags:  These are provided by the parent, to be placed in the classroom, specialist areas, and other strategic places in the school where the student might be caught in a sudden low.  Labeled with instructions on symptoms of low blood sugar and how to respond. If snack bags are used, they must be replenished.  Identify how this will occur.

    Recess: Recess supervisors are aware on students condition with knowledge of symptoms and treatment.

    General Staff In-service:  All staff should have basic knowledge of who the student is and how to identify and treat an emergency low blood sugar.  Student picture and basic information on identifying and treating low blood sugar is posted in the health room, staff room, kitchen, custodian’s room for review. 

    Teacher In-service:  Classroom teacher, Specialists, Office and Health Room staff have a more in depth in-service, which covers the basics of diabetes and the contents of the 504 Plan. 

    Transportation:  The Transportation Information Sheet is the document which identifies each student, the health concern, and the transportation plan.  This sheet has a picture of the student.  It is attached to the route sheet and bus drivers are responsible for knowing these students.  Substitute drivers also have this route sheet.

    • Keep in mind that if a student rarely rides the bus it is difficult for the driver to know  this student.
    • On “wild weather days” (wind storms, snow, etc) the student should not ride the bus  as the buses often take alternate routes and the length of the ride can become  substantially longer. 

    Disaster Preparedness:

    • Supplies to be kept in an accessible area designated for disaster planning.
    • Supplies are provided by parent:
    • Insulin will be stored in the refrigerator.  Health Care Provider Orders will specify how to calculate insulin in the case of a disaster.

    Additional Resources and Files: