Asthma and Your Child's Health in School

Asthma Cough and Inhalers

My daughter has severe allergies that sometimes cause an asthma cough or more serious attack at school. She knows how and when to use her asthma inhalers, but the school insists that she keep her medicines in the office.

That worries me, because if she needs it in a hurry, she might not have time to find the teacher and walk to the office to get it. Can they take her medicine away?

Public School Policy

Only if they can find it! Seriously, though, most schools have policies that require students to leave all medications in the office. When they do this, adults can assume that any drugs they see are illegal and put a quick stop to dangerous behavior. We don't want her put under house arrest for trying to breathe, but we want to assure her safety in school.

But an asthma cough or attack can turn deadly in a hurry, so I don't blame you for wanting her to keep her medicine nearby. Since asthma is the leading serious chronic illness of American children, this problem is coming up in more and more schools.

So many, in fact, that the Michigan Asthma Steering Committee of the Michigan Department of Community Health has recommended that schools allow kids to self-medicate if their parents ask. But you need to ask in writing and provide written instructions from your doctor.

The easiest way to do this is to complete an Asthma Management Plan every year, or more often if her medications change. This form should be available from your school nurse or office.

You might also want to let your daughter's teachers know what kinds of things she is allergic to so they can notify you if she will be exposed to extra allergens. (School construction projects can raise a lot of dust and mold).

Teachers should also know about possible side effects of her medication.

If the asthma is brought on by exercise, make sure all teachers, including the gym teacher, know that she should be allowed to stop any physical activity if she is having difficulty breathing.

As with any educational challenge, the successful management of asthma requires a partnership between home, school and the child's health care provider. As a parent, it's your job to coordinate all the partners.