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A child
aged 8-12 years with or without diabetes
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• Leaves their magical thinking and
vivid imagination behind• Starts to separate from you, becomes more independent, and may have secrets from you
• Becomes more self-aware
• Becomes more social
• Usually prefers to have friends of the same sex
• Begins to understand their strong and weak points and those of others too!!
• Solves problems more easily
• Starts to express themselves more clearly
• Enjoys being creative
• Becomes more self-conscious
• May have school phobia and "pretend" illnesses
• May sometimes lie or steal to avoid confrontation
• Becomes more interested in the outside world
• May worry about family issues like arguments, illness or death
• May worry about disasters seen on television or in movies
• At age 11 or 12, relies more on the approval of friends and are interested in people beyond the family
• Becomes more sexually aware, although this can happen earlier
• Begins to want more control and may start questioning rules
When an 8-12
year old is diagnosed with diabetes
Your child
may:
• Appear to accept having diabetes, yet
can be sad, angry or worried for you and themselves. This could be the reason
for unusual, unexplained behaviour from your child. Reassure your child that
you will all get through this together and that life goes on.
• Feel that you have let them down because they are used to being protected by you and now you can't make their diabetes go away. You may need to explain to your child that sometimes things are just outside your power, that things happen out of the blue and unfortunately can't be changed.
• Believe that diabetes has happened to them for a reason, perhaps because of something they have done wrong such as being nasty to their brother or sister. Frequent reassurance from you that diabetes happens to all different children, and is not a punishment, will help them. Meeting other children at camps especially for children with diabetes helps your child to feel less isolated.
• Wish their diabetes away and try and ignore it. Sometimes they may be tempted to miss tests and injections or make up blood glucose results. Extra supervision may be needed despite your child insisting they can manage by themselves.
• Feel "different" at a time when they are becoming more sociable. Their friends are becoming important to them and they want to be like them. Reassure your child that everyone has difficulties to overcome - diabetes needs a bit more thought but shouldn't stop them from doing everything that their friends do.
• Begin to lose confidence because diabetes makes them different. This may lead to them turning down invitations, to sleep over, for example. Encourage your child's friends to come and sleep at your house which may help everyone to feel more comfortable - then gradually, as they become more confident suggest they go over to their friend's house. Talk to their friend's parent(s) so that they feel comfortable - sometimes a parent worries more than a child!!
• Be curious about diabetes and related tasks - at first it's all new but then they realise that the diabetes won't go away which may make them angry. Your support and encouragement is important to their self esteem and self worth.
• See diabetes as a barrier to joining in team sports that are of interest to them. Encourage them to join in and reassure them that they can try anything.
• Begin to learn to take on more responsibilities drawing up insulin and giving their injection - they still require your supervision and support when it becomes too much.
• Are capable of preparing simple foods so can start to recognise suitable foods and the need to eat regularly. Encourage your child to help at mealtimes and at least help to prepare food for school/sport better still do it themselves!!
• Are better able to understand safety and danger, so become more aware of the importance of eating extra snacks, before exercise for example. Gentle reminders may be needed.
• Feel that you have let them down because they are used to being protected by you and now you can't make their diabetes go away. You may need to explain to your child that sometimes things are just outside your power, that things happen out of the blue and unfortunately can't be changed.
• Believe that diabetes has happened to them for a reason, perhaps because of something they have done wrong such as being nasty to their brother or sister. Frequent reassurance from you that diabetes happens to all different children, and is not a punishment, will help them. Meeting other children at camps especially for children with diabetes helps your child to feel less isolated.
• Wish their diabetes away and try and ignore it. Sometimes they may be tempted to miss tests and injections or make up blood glucose results. Extra supervision may be needed despite your child insisting they can manage by themselves.
• Feel "different" at a time when they are becoming more sociable. Their friends are becoming important to them and they want to be like them. Reassure your child that everyone has difficulties to overcome - diabetes needs a bit more thought but shouldn't stop them from doing everything that their friends do.
• Begin to lose confidence because diabetes makes them different. This may lead to them turning down invitations, to sleep over, for example. Encourage your child's friends to come and sleep at your house which may help everyone to feel more comfortable - then gradually, as they become more confident suggest they go over to their friend's house. Talk to their friend's parent(s) so that they feel comfortable - sometimes a parent worries more than a child!!
• Be curious about diabetes and related tasks - at first it's all new but then they realise that the diabetes won't go away which may make them angry. Your support and encouragement is important to their self esteem and self worth.
• See diabetes as a barrier to joining in team sports that are of interest to them. Encourage them to join in and reassure them that they can try anything.
• Begin to learn to take on more responsibilities drawing up insulin and giving their injection - they still require your supervision and support when it becomes too much.
• Are capable of preparing simple foods so can start to recognise suitable foods and the need to eat regularly. Encourage your child to help at mealtimes and at least help to prepare food for school/sport better still do it themselves!!
• Are better able to understand safety and danger, so become more aware of the importance of eating extra snacks, before exercise for example. Gentle reminders may be needed.
Living with diabetes
Your child's
responsibility... how much is too much?
Helping children with diabetes is a challenge for most parents. You may feel guilty or angry (sometimes both) and you may become over protective or very critical. This may result in asking your child to take on too much responsibility before they are ready, or may squash their expression of interest in helping with diabetes related tasks.
Helping children with diabetes is a challenge for most parents. You may feel guilty or angry (sometimes both) and you may become over protective or very critical. This may result in asking your child to take on too much responsibility before they are ready, or may squash their expression of interest in helping with diabetes related tasks.
Common
questions asked are:
• When should my child take on more responsibility?
• Am I asking too much or too little?
Some guidelines
• All children are different - what works for one child may not work for another.
• At this age your child will usually have the skills to physically do the task but not the maturity and knowledge to take on full responsibility. Taking on some of this responsibility requires that your child learns more about diabetes.
• Group sessions with children of a similar age may help. Check what is available through your diabetes team.
• There is no special age when your child should give their own injections. Health professionals agree that by age 11-13 years, most children can perform most diabetes related tasks but this varies from child to child. As a guide, a child of 10 may be giving the injection and at 11 they may be drawing up the insulin. If your child refuses to give their own insulin - reduce the steps to one at a time, encouraging your child to join in at each point, but allowing them to "opt out".
The steps could be:
1. Check the dosage
2. Draw up the insulin
3. Select the injection site
4. Inject the insulin
• These steps may need to be introduced a few days apart and should be done when you have time to spare and you're not too rushed - at weekends for example.
• Sharing tasks between both parents and the child is useful - for example Mum a.m., Dad p.m., child at weekends. Often children will be keen to help.
• Concentrate on your child learning one task at a time, otherwise demands are too great and your child will be confused and unwilling to stick at it.
• Your child's skills may not be as good as your own, so patience is needed to increase their confidence. This is another reason for choosing a less rushed time of the day.
• Encourage involvement when your child shows an interest in learning new tasks.
• It’s still important to observe your child's ability and technique to avoid possible mistakes and short cuts. Try to be positive and focus on the things they do well.
• Make it clear to your child that you will slowly introduce responsibility, and that you realise they may sometimes need a break. Let them know that you will help them with diabetes tasks for short periods of time.
• It’s very easy for you as a parent to carry on doing everything for your child whether they have diabetes or not, but it is vital for your child's self esteem and confidence, and your sanity (!), that you encourage the beginnings of self-care.
• You can never be sure that your child knows their hypo symptoms. It is a good idea to draw attention to symptoms straight after a hypo occurs so that your child can talk them over with you. This will help them to remember how they feel and the warning signs of a hypo.
• Your child will need the help of their peers and may need a guiding hand to deal with classmates and friends. Some children do not want anyone outside the family to know that they have diabetes. It may be helpful for your child to tell their best friend what to do if a hypo occurs.
• Your child might do a school project on diabetes to tell their classmates how it is to have diabetes - for example, they could show how they use their meter. This may increase confidence through teaching their friends.
• School events may motivate your child to help in self care - for example, learning to correctly treat hypos so that they may attend sports events or school excursions.
• Your child may be keen to sleep-over at a friend or relative's house which may provide a gentle push to take on responsibility for diabetes related tasks - seize every opportunity you can.
• When should my child take on more responsibility?
• Am I asking too much or too little?
Some guidelines
• All children are different - what works for one child may not work for another.
• At this age your child will usually have the skills to physically do the task but not the maturity and knowledge to take on full responsibility. Taking on some of this responsibility requires that your child learns more about diabetes.
• Group sessions with children of a similar age may help. Check what is available through your diabetes team.
• There is no special age when your child should give their own injections. Health professionals agree that by age 11-13 years, most children can perform most diabetes related tasks but this varies from child to child. As a guide, a child of 10 may be giving the injection and at 11 they may be drawing up the insulin. If your child refuses to give their own insulin - reduce the steps to one at a time, encouraging your child to join in at each point, but allowing them to "opt out".
The steps could be:
1. Check the dosage
2. Draw up the insulin
3. Select the injection site
4. Inject the insulin
• These steps may need to be introduced a few days apart and should be done when you have time to spare and you're not too rushed - at weekends for example.
• Sharing tasks between both parents and the child is useful - for example Mum a.m., Dad p.m., child at weekends. Often children will be keen to help.
• Concentrate on your child learning one task at a time, otherwise demands are too great and your child will be confused and unwilling to stick at it.
• Your child's skills may not be as good as your own, so patience is needed to increase their confidence. This is another reason for choosing a less rushed time of the day.
• Encourage involvement when your child shows an interest in learning new tasks.
• It’s still important to observe your child's ability and technique to avoid possible mistakes and short cuts. Try to be positive and focus on the things they do well.
• Make it clear to your child that you will slowly introduce responsibility, and that you realise they may sometimes need a break. Let them know that you will help them with diabetes tasks for short periods of time.
• It’s very easy for you as a parent to carry on doing everything for your child whether they have diabetes or not, but it is vital for your child's self esteem and confidence, and your sanity (!), that you encourage the beginnings of self-care.
• You can never be sure that your child knows their hypo symptoms. It is a good idea to draw attention to symptoms straight after a hypo occurs so that your child can talk them over with you. This will help them to remember how they feel and the warning signs of a hypo.
• Your child will need the help of their peers and may need a guiding hand to deal with classmates and friends. Some children do not want anyone outside the family to know that they have diabetes. It may be helpful for your child to tell their best friend what to do if a hypo occurs.
• Your child might do a school project on diabetes to tell their classmates how it is to have diabetes - for example, they could show how they use their meter. This may increase confidence through teaching their friends.
• School events may motivate your child to help in self care - for example, learning to correctly treat hypos so that they may attend sports events or school excursions.
• Your child may be keen to sleep-over at a friend or relative's house which may provide a gentle push to take on responsibility for diabetes related tasks - seize every opportunity you can.
Coping from
day to day
• Gradually increase responsibility
• Break tasks into small steps
• Add one task at a time
• Watch for things which encourage your child;
• at home
• at school
• with friends
• Help, support, supervise your child
• Choose a quiet time of the day to start a new task
• Remind your child that diabetes is not their fault
• Too much responsibility too soon can lead to burnout
• Gradually increase responsibility
• Break tasks into small steps
• Add one task at a time
• Watch for things which encourage your child;
• at home
• at school
• with friends
• Help, support, supervise your child
• Choose a quiet time of the day to start a new task
• Remind your child that diabetes is not their fault
• Too much responsibility too soon can lead to burnout
Siblings
• Brothers and sisters may not like the sudden focus on the child with diabetes - Why all the fuss? Why do we have to rush home for injections? Why do we have to worry about food all the time? Your child with diabetes may well take advantage of this.
• Brothers and sisters who previously had no axe to grind may suddenly find one. If they thought their brother or sister were the favourite prior to having diabetes, this may add to the problem.
• Brothers and sisters may fear that they will be loved less and pushed to one side in favour of the child with diabetes.
• Brothers and sisters may worry that they might get diabetes.
• Brothers and sisters may not like the sudden focus on the child with diabetes - Why all the fuss? Why do we have to rush home for injections? Why do we have to worry about food all the time? Your child with diabetes may well take advantage of this.
• Brothers and sisters who previously had no axe to grind may suddenly find one. If they thought their brother or sister were the favourite prior to having diabetes, this may add to the problem.
• Brothers and sisters may fear that they will be loved less and pushed to one side in favour of the child with diabetes.
• Brothers and sisters may worry that they might get diabetes.
Ideas for
coping:
• Try to keep things as normal as you can (not always easy) and play down the diabetes as much as is possible. Try and spend some special time alone with your child without diabetes, doing something fun and that they really enjoy.
• Be consistent in the way you discipline all your children.
• Some children worry that diabetes is catching or that their brother or sister with diabetes might die. They may think that something they have done has given their brother or sister diabetes - such as breaking a toy or not sharing. They may have nightmares, suddenly start wetting the bed or cling to you (remember that there are health professionals to help you and your family). Your child's brothers and sisters need to know what is happening and to feel involved.
• Families often find that they have become closer because of diabetes, so problems can be sorted out with patience and understanding.
• Involving siblings in the initial diabetes education may help.
• Try to keep things as normal as you can (not always easy) and play down the diabetes as much as is possible. Try and spend some special time alone with your child without diabetes, doing something fun and that they really enjoy.
• Be consistent in the way you discipline all your children.
• Some children worry that diabetes is catching or that their brother or sister with diabetes might die. They may think that something they have done has given their brother or sister diabetes - such as breaking a toy or not sharing. They may have nightmares, suddenly start wetting the bed or cling to you (remember that there are health professionals to help you and your family). Your child's brothers and sisters need to know what is happening and to feel involved.
• Families often find that they have become closer because of diabetes, so problems can be sorted out with patience and understanding.
• Involving siblings in the initial diabetes education may help.
School
• You will probably be very reluctant to let your child out of your sight to go to school. For you and your child's sake it is a good time to encourage independence and adjustment to diabetes.
• To take this step you must feel comfortable that your child will be safe as well as happy.
• You can ask your diabetes educator to visit the school to talk to the staff so that they in turn feel comfortable with the situation. The teachers are usually helpful and only too pleased to assist. Alternatively, discuss with your diabetes educator ways to approach the staff.
• It is helpful to the staff if you provide one or two hypo kits for them to store in a prominent place. Remember to restock hypo kits regularly.
• A photograph of your child placed in the staff room with details of hypo symptoms is also helpful. An emergency action poster next to the photo, as a reminder, is a good idea.
• Your child should wear some type of diabetes identification chain or bracelet - this habit is a good one to foster at a young age - it may encourage maintaining the habit as they get older.
• At this age your child may be embarrassed if you go to school to check their blood glucose level (BGL). Your child could take the meter to school and check their own BGL, however, testing at school may not always be necessary.
• Camps are good to help you and your child to feel less alone. In some states there are parent/child weekend camps for children up to the age of nine. Your child may then go on to other camps through their childhood right up to teenage. Camps run by the school will help your child and friends to adapt. Again, your educator may speak to staff going to the camp so that everyone feels happier. Contact Diabetes Australia in your state or territory for information about camps.
• Your child may be eligible for special provision for exams (e.g. Basic Skills Test in NSW for children in year 3). This may allow your child extra time and toilet or rest breaks. Discuss with your child’s school.
For more information about managing diabetes at school click here.
• You will probably be very reluctant to let your child out of your sight to go to school. For you and your child's sake it is a good time to encourage independence and adjustment to diabetes.
• To take this step you must feel comfortable that your child will be safe as well as happy.
• You can ask your diabetes educator to visit the school to talk to the staff so that they in turn feel comfortable with the situation. The teachers are usually helpful and only too pleased to assist. Alternatively, discuss with your diabetes educator ways to approach the staff.
• It is helpful to the staff if you provide one or two hypo kits for them to store in a prominent place. Remember to restock hypo kits regularly.
• A photograph of your child placed in the staff room with details of hypo symptoms is also helpful. An emergency action poster next to the photo, as a reminder, is a good idea.
• Your child should wear some type of diabetes identification chain or bracelet - this habit is a good one to foster at a young age - it may encourage maintaining the habit as they get older.
• At this age your child may be embarrassed if you go to school to check their blood glucose level (BGL). Your child could take the meter to school and check their own BGL, however, testing at school may not always be necessary.
• Camps are good to help you and your child to feel less alone. In some states there are parent/child weekend camps for children up to the age of nine. Your child may then go on to other camps through their childhood right up to teenage. Camps run by the school will help your child and friends to adapt. Again, your educator may speak to staff going to the camp so that everyone feels happier. Contact Diabetes Australia in your state or territory for information about camps.
• Your child may be eligible for special provision for exams (e.g. Basic Skills Test in NSW for children in year 3). This may allow your child extra time and toilet or rest breaks. Discuss with your child’s school.
For more information about managing diabetes at school click here.
To care for
your child you must care for yourself
Diabetes takes a lot of time and energy so it's normal to feel frustrated and tired from the constant daily demands of management. Your emotions may change and recur (perhaps frequently) - guilt, frustration, helplessness, sadness, anger... and happiness when all goes according to plan!!
• Talk to someone who may understand.
• Encourage relatives or friends to attend education sessions and/or support groups to learn more about diabetes, so that they may in turn give you support.
• Find some time for yourself, it's worthwhile for the daily demands of parenting.
• Share your feelings with your partner, a friend or relative, support groups, your doctor, other health professionals eg. social worker, psychologist.
• Share diabetes tasks with your partner.
• Keep in touch with your educator as ongoing education can help you and your child at different stages.
• Don't be afraid to ask your health professional team for support and guidance.
Diabetes takes a lot of time and energy so it's normal to feel frustrated and tired from the constant daily demands of management. Your emotions may change and recur (perhaps frequently) - guilt, frustration, helplessness, sadness, anger... and happiness when all goes according to plan!!
• Talk to someone who may understand.
• Encourage relatives or friends to attend education sessions and/or support groups to learn more about diabetes, so that they may in turn give you support.
• Find some time for yourself, it's worthwhile for the daily demands of parenting.
• Share your feelings with your partner, a friend or relative, support groups, your doctor, other health professionals eg. social worker, psychologist.
• Share diabetes tasks with your partner.
• Keep in touch with your educator as ongoing education can help you and your child at different stages.
• Don't be afraid to ask your health professional team for support and guidance.
What does any child do with food at this age?
Experience a
change in eating habits
• An older child takes more responsibility for their food choices. They may also receive more pocket money, so their buying power increases. Food is an important part of socialising and money is often spent on food.
• Pressure from friends and a growing sense of self awareness become an important influence in their food choices.
• As a child progresses to adolescence, changes in eating habits may be a way in which they express their new found identity. Fast foods and takeaways are popular, as is snacking, and skipping meals sometimes becomes a habit.
• Snacking is part of a child's eating patterns and significant amounts of nutrients are obtained from snacks - often up to a quarter of their daily energy needs and one third of other nutrients eg iron and calcium. Ensuring a supply of healthy snacks is very important.
• An older child takes more responsibility for their food choices. They may also receive more pocket money, so their buying power increases. Food is an important part of socialising and money is often spent on food.
• Pressure from friends and a growing sense of self awareness become an important influence in their food choices.
• As a child progresses to adolescence, changes in eating habits may be a way in which they express their new found identity. Fast foods and takeaways are popular, as is snacking, and skipping meals sometimes becomes a habit.
• Snacking is part of a child's eating patterns and significant amounts of nutrients are obtained from snacks - often up to a quarter of their daily energy needs and one third of other nutrients eg iron and calcium. Ensuring a supply of healthy snacks is very important.
Healthy
snack Ideas:• Fresh fruit
• Dried fruit eg. sultanas, apple
• Low fat flavoured milk
• Low fat yoghurt or dairy desserts
• Pikelets
• Scones
• Crumpets or English muffins
• Fruit snack packs
• Fruit loaf/toast
• Bagels
• Pretzels or rice crackers
• Crackers and reduced fat cheese
• Muesli bars / Breakfast bars
• Milk shakes / Fruit smoothies
• Fruit filled biscuits
• Popcorn
• Breakfast cereal
• Toasted sandwich / jaffle
...It's a good idea to have chilled water in the fridge.
Heavily advertised foods - potato
crisps, corn chips, chocolate, lollies and soft drinks are favourite choices.
There is no reason why these snack foods cannot be enjoyed occasionally.
Banning these types of snack foods may result in your child only wanting them
more, and eating them when they think no parents are around. It’s important
that the whole family enjoys everyday healthy foods.
Enjoys food
in an expanding social scene
When a child starts school they may begin to separate from their parents, and rely more on approval from friends. This is a time of growing independence and socialising - sleep overs, camps, parties - fun! Staying over with their friends at night and sharing meals with their friends' families becomes important in their social development.
When a child starts school they may begin to separate from their parents, and rely more on approval from friends. This is a time of growing independence and socialising - sleep overs, camps, parties - fun! Staying over with their friends at night and sharing meals with their friends' families becomes important in their social development.
Riding
the food merry-go-round... of diabetes
Coping with
growth spurts
At this age children are likely to experience the beginning of a growth spurt. You may notice that your child is more hungry and needs to eat extra food. Talking with a dietitian about how much and when to increase the amount of food for your child can certainly be of help.
A suggestion for parents to cope with their child's increasing appetite and still achieve good blood glucose control, is to offer extra healthy food choices (eg. fruit, vegetables, dairy foods) if hungry after a meal. It may be necessary to seek advice on how to increase insulin dosage to cope with extra food. Talk to your child's doctor or educator.
At this age children are likely to experience the beginning of a growth spurt. You may notice that your child is more hungry and needs to eat extra food. Talking with a dietitian about how much and when to increase the amount of food for your child can certainly be of help.
A suggestion for parents to cope with their child's increasing appetite and still achieve good blood glucose control, is to offer extra healthy food choices (eg. fruit, vegetables, dairy foods) if hungry after a meal. It may be necessary to seek advice on how to increase insulin dosage to cope with extra food. Talk to your child's doctor or educator.
Learning to
make food choices away from home
Teachers, other parents and carers need to be informed that your child has diabetes - so they can be prepared. However, making a fuss about your child's food choices may cause them to feel different and singled out. This is certainly the case if one child is seen to get more attention than other children. So providing a few simple guidelines for people is best.
Teachers, other parents and carers need to be informed that your child has diabetes - so they can be prepared. However, making a fuss about your child's food choices may cause them to feel different and singled out. This is certainly the case if one child is seen to get more attention than other children. So providing a few simple guidelines for people is best.
Parties
Rule no. 1 is - have fun! Your child should be allowed to enjoy the foods offered at the party, including snack foods and birthday cake like other children. It's helpful if teachers can inform parents in advance of special parties so they are aware of the cause of a possible rise in their child's BGLs.
If your child needs to take a plate for a party at school, here's some great party food ideas which can be enjoyed by everyone:
• Fairy bread
• Mini pizzas
• Potato wedges
• Pretzels
• Low joule jelly cups
• Mini muffins
• Dips and crackers
• Popcorn
• Ribbon sandwiches
• Diet soft drink
• Pikelets
• Fruit kebabs
Rule no. 1 is - have fun! Your child should be allowed to enjoy the foods offered at the party, including snack foods and birthday cake like other children. It's helpful if teachers can inform parents in advance of special parties so they are aware of the cause of a possible rise in their child's BGLs.
If your child needs to take a plate for a party at school, here's some great party food ideas which can be enjoyed by everyone:
• Fairy bread
• Mini pizzas
• Potato wedges
• Pretzels
• Low joule jelly cups
• Mini muffins
• Dips and crackers
• Popcorn
• Ribbon sandwiches
• Diet soft drink
• Pikelets
• Fruit kebabs
At some time, either during a school
outing or after school, your child will be exposed to fast foods! Takeaway
outlets offer a variety of foods that are fast, fun and definitely appealing to
children. Many of these foods are high in fat and salt and lack fibre, however
they can be enjoyed from time to time. The type and amount of carbohydrate and
fat are important considerations. Better choices are:
• BBQ chicken roll (skip the skin)
• Regular burger with salad
• Doner kebab and salad
• Toasted sandwiches or focaccia
• Grilled fish and chips
• Asian stir-fry or noodle dishes
• Burritos
• Vegetable based pizzas
• Regular burger with salad
• Doner kebab and salad
• Toasted sandwiches or focaccia
• Grilled fish and chips
• Asian stir-fry or noodle dishes
• Burritos
• Vegetable based pizzas
Counting
carbohydrates
• You may be concerned when your child is away from home - will they eat enough carbohydrate so they don't have a hypo?
• Teaching your child about carbohydrate foods and quantities they need to eat is important. Extra fats or sugars occasionally are not going to be harmful in the long term.
• Encouraging them to make their own decisions about how much they need to eat at meals at home is a good place to start. With this confidence they may deal with other situations more easily.
• Making carbohydrate choices at meal times should not be difficult - offer selections from potato, corn, sweet potato, rice, pasta or bread. Desserts can also be nutritious and offer another carbohydrate alternative -try fruit or dairy based desserts such as fruit salad, yoghurt, banana split, custard or canned fruit.
• Allowing your child to join in outings, sleep-overs and camps helps them to learn to share responsibility for their diabetes. Older school-age children are often ready to do more of their diabetes care, such as making their own food choices, assisting with cooking meals and even reading food labels.
• You may be concerned when your child is away from home - will they eat enough carbohydrate so they don't have a hypo?
• Teaching your child about carbohydrate foods and quantities they need to eat is important. Extra fats or sugars occasionally are not going to be harmful in the long term.
• Encouraging them to make their own decisions about how much they need to eat at meals at home is a good place to start. With this confidence they may deal with other situations more easily.
• Making carbohydrate choices at meal times should not be difficult - offer selections from potato, corn, sweet potato, rice, pasta or bread. Desserts can also be nutritious and offer another carbohydrate alternative -try fruit or dairy based desserts such as fruit salad, yoghurt, banana split, custard or canned fruit.
• Allowing your child to join in outings, sleep-overs and camps helps them to learn to share responsibility for their diabetes. Older school-age children are often ready to do more of their diabetes care, such as making their own food choices, assisting with cooking meals and even reading food labels.
Planning a
'day out'
• It may be useful to work out a checklist with your child as a reminder of what to take with them when they go out to a school outing or stay over at a friend's home. A checklist stuck to the fridge or a cork board is helpful.
The checklist should include the following:
• Hypo food - quickly absorbed carbohydrates - eg juice, jelly beans, sugar sachets and follow up carbohydrates - eg crackers, biscuits, dried fruit
• Extra carbohydrate snacks
• Insulin
• Syringe or pen
• Blood glucose meter and test strips
• Tissues
• Small sharps container / needle clipper
• It may be useful to work out a checklist with your child as a reminder of what to take with them when they go out to a school outing or stay over at a friend's home. A checklist stuck to the fridge or a cork board is helpful.
The checklist should include the following:
• Hypo food - quickly absorbed carbohydrates - eg juice, jelly beans, sugar sachets and follow up carbohydrates - eg crackers, biscuits, dried fruit
• Extra carbohydrate snacks
• Insulin
• Syringe or pen
• Blood glucose meter and test strips
• Tissues
• Small sharps container / needle clipper
Planning for
sport & exercise
• If extra activity is planned it is important that your child eats additional carbohydrate food prior to the exercise.
• Exercise increases the body's sensitivity to insulin (increasing the risk of hypos) and this effect may continue for up to 12 - 16 hours following the activity. There is a lot of variation between individuals regarding these effects, so it is important to monitor your child's BGLs closely before, during and after exercise.
• If regular exercise is expected, such as sports day at school or swimming on the weekend, you may wish to discuss with your child's doctor the need to reduce the insulin dosage on these days.
• Suggestions for adjusting carbohydrate intake, if insulin dosage remains the same: For every half hour of sport your child does, they should eat one extra carbohydrate exchange / serve.
• If extra activity is planned it is important that your child eats additional carbohydrate food prior to the exercise.
• Exercise increases the body's sensitivity to insulin (increasing the risk of hypos) and this effect may continue for up to 12 - 16 hours following the activity. There is a lot of variation between individuals regarding these effects, so it is important to monitor your child's BGLs closely before, during and after exercise.
• If regular exercise is expected, such as sports day at school or swimming on the weekend, you may wish to discuss with your child's doctor the need to reduce the insulin dosage on these days.
• Suggestions for adjusting carbohydrate intake, if insulin dosage remains the same: For every half hour of sport your child does, they should eat one extra carbohydrate exchange / serve.
Carbohydrate
foods for sport
• Low fat yoghurt
• Pack of sultanas
• Sandwich
• Low fat flavoured milk
• Dried apricots
• Fresh fruit
• If your child is involved in an endurance/long sport event, they may need extra carbohydrate during and after the event to prevent a low BGL. A carbohydrate containing drink such as fruit juice, regular cordial or even a sports drink is handy, providing both fluid for hydration and carbohydrate for energy.
• A hypo kit containing a quickly absorbed carbohydrate and a slow acting carbohydrate food will keep your child going until their next meal (eg. juice plus crackers or jellybeans plus plain biscuits).
• Remind your child to check their BGL before and after sport to find out how it is affected by activity. This helps for sport next time as you'll have a better idea of what insulin dosage and which foods work best.
• Low fat yoghurt
• Pack of sultanas
• Sandwich
• Low fat flavoured milk
• Dried apricots
• Fresh fruit
• If your child is involved in an endurance/long sport event, they may need extra carbohydrate during and after the event to prevent a low BGL. A carbohydrate containing drink such as fruit juice, regular cordial or even a sports drink is handy, providing both fluid for hydration and carbohydrate for energy.
• A hypo kit containing a quickly absorbed carbohydrate and a slow acting carbohydrate food will keep your child going until their next meal (eg. juice plus crackers or jellybeans plus plain biscuits).
• Remind your child to check their BGL before and after sport to find out how it is affected by activity. This helps for sport next time as you'll have a better idea of what insulin dosage and which foods work best.
Source: http://www.diabeteskidsandteens.com.au/parents_and_carers_4.html
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