U-M Pediatric
Diabetes

Going back to school after a new diabetes diagnosis can be stressful. It is important that you are prepared to make the transition as smooth as possible. Talk with your diabetes care team about developing a Diabetes Medical Management Plan (DMMP) for your child at school. Be sure you have diabetes supplies for school and tell the school what to do in case of emergencies, like extremely low blood sugars.

A Diabetes Medical Management Plan (DMMP) explains everything school personnel need to know about your child's diabetes management, including whether your child needs help checking their blood sugar, how to treat low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), and how to manage meals and snacks. Drafting a DMMP takes place between you and your care team, and should be completed before the start of each school year.

A 504 plan is a formal, legal action plan made with your child’s school that outlines the school's responsibilities in managing your child’s diabetes to make sure your child is safe and is treated fairly. The 504 plan can help reinforce the commitments made in the DMMP. For a sample 504 plan, click here.

If a student with diabetes has special education needs that qualify under the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act (IDEA), an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) may be needed instead of a 504 plan. An IEP is a document that outlines what the school is going to do to meet the child's individual education needs. To qualify for an IEP, a child must have an impairment that affects his or her academic performance.

It is not legal for your child to be barred entry to any public or private school that receives federal funding because of a T1D diagnosis. Even if your school does not have a nurse, all schools that receive public funds are required to train a responsible adult to carry out the Diabetes Medical Management Plan (DMMP). They cannot exclude a child from school because of type 1 diabetes or force parents to come to school to handle the diabetes care activities. It is important to remember, the school staff are likely not medical professionals; be patient and remember that you are a team in taking care of your child's health and well-being. ​ If you continue to have trouble with establishing the school's role in your child's care, you may contact us about creating a 504 plan.

You are not required to leave work or disrupt your schedule to perform routine care for your child's diabetes while they are at school. Even if your school does not have a nurse, all schools that receive public funds are required to train a responsible adult to carry out the Diabetes Medical Management Plan (DMMP). They cannot exclude a child from school because of type 1 diabetes or force parents to come to school to handle the diabetes care activities. It is important to remember, the school staff are likely not medical professionals; be patient and remember that you are a team in taking care of your child's health and well-being. ​ If you continue to have trouble with establishing the school's role in your child's care, you may contact us about creating a 504 plan.

Your Diabetes School Kit should include: Extra glucose meter Blood glucose test strips Juice boxes, glucose tablets, and/or glucose gel Glucagon Granola bars or other small snack Ketone strips Bottled water (if your child won’t drink school water) ​Your child should always have access to something to treat a low blood sugar. Snacks or glucose tablets should be kept with the student, in case of a fire drill/lock-down/shelter in place, as well as in classroom, in the locker room, and on the school bus. For younger children, ask the teacher to keep juice boxes or glucose tabs in their desk. Be sure any substitute teachers, including substitute bus drivers and office staff, also know about this arrangement. Older children should carry supplies in their backpacks or in their pockets.

It is very important that your glucagon is kept somewhere accessible where others can find it in case of emergency. If you leave your glucagon in your school's office, you need to have a plan in place for someone to retrieve and administer the shot. It is advisable that you leave your glucagon on your person, possibly in a backpack or handbag.

Highs and lows will happen at school, at home, and in many areas of your child’s life. Good diabetes management means responding quickly and calmly to correct blood sugar levels until they are back in target range. If your child is low at school, they should have access to a quick carb snack or glucose tablets or gel. Make sure your child’s teacher understands the need to have these supplies on hand and what to look for when your child is acting low. If your child loses consciousness, your child’s teacher or a responsive faculty member should have access to the child’s glucagon kit and be aware of how to give the injection. It is recommended that you review these steps with anyone who will be helping your child with their diabetes as a part of their T1D training.

By establishing a 504 plan with your school, patients are allowed special accommodations during Michigan state tests such as M-STEP/PSAT/SAT/ACT. If you need a snack, you are allowed to have one present during the exam. You may have permission to use a cell phone to monitor CGM values, but you must receive approval for all test accommodations with the test proctor and the school staff ahead of time. For certain tests, a letter from your clinician must be provided to the College Board in order to receive these accommodations. The College Board approval process may take up to 8 weeks, so be sure to plan ahead. A good reminder is to discuss standardized testing dates during the fall at the same time you are reviewing your 504 with the school. Please contact the clinic if you have questions about these issues.

Talking about T1D with friends, family, and strangers can be difficult. Even if you are successful in managing your diabetes, it can be stressful discussing this personal information with new people in your life. Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF) offers a free PDF on how to talk about T1D with friends, family, coworkers, and in a variety of situations here.

You and the school staff are partners in your child’s education and well-being. Strong and clear communication is crucial to the success of your child’s health. Staff you should consider educating about T1D include: Principal Nurse Guidance counselor Teachers P.E. teacher Latchkey / after-school program supervisors Cafeteria staff Coaches or extracurricular supervisors Bus drivers Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF) offers a free PDF that may help you in facilitating a relationship with your school here.

There are several scholarships just for teens with type 1! Click below to learn more about the College Diabetes Network (CDN) and other scholarship opportunities. College Diabetes Network (CDN) Diabetes Scholars Foundation Novo Nordisk Donnelly Awards (for teen tennis players with type 1) Seefred Trust Scholarship (Ohio residents only) ​Please note: These opportunities are typically open January-April. Check the Off to College (Teens) page for other opportunities.

Moving away from home with T1D can be a scary thought, but it is very possible to have a happy and healthy experience at college with T1D. To prepare you for this new chapter in your life, please check out our Off to College (Teens) and Off to College (Parents) pages. Please also feel free to check out College Diabetes Network's "Off to College" booklets on their website and request a physical copy in clinic.