Student Responsibilities (for those who are able to take responsibility for their self-management)

• Take part in the school meeting to discuss your Diabetes Care Plan, 504 Plan, IEP or other education plan as appropriate.
• Always wear some form of medical alert identification and carry a fast-acting source of sugar.
• Tell teachers and other school staff members if you feel symptoms of low or high blood glucose, especially if you need help.
• Work with school staff members if you need help checking your blood sugar level, getting insulin, or eating the right amount of food at the right time during the school day.
• Take charge of your diabetes care at school if your written school plans allow you to. This may include:
• Checking and writing down blood sugar levels
• Figuring out the right insulin doses
• Giving yourself insulin
• Throwing away needles, lancets, and other supplies you have used in the right place
• Eating meals and snacks as planned
• Treating low blood sugar
• Carrying diabetes equipment, supplies and a fast-acting source of sugar with you at all times

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) notes that the age of the child with diabetes who can perform certain tasks will vary and should be approached on an individual basis with the health care team. The following are general ADA recommendations by age group:

1. Preschool and day care. The preschool child is usually unable to perform diabetes tasks independently. By 4 years of age, children may be expected to generally cooperate in diabetes tasks.
2. Elementary school. The child should be expected to cooperate in all diabetes tasks at school. By age 8 years, most children are able to perform their own fingerstick blood glucose tests with supervision. By age 10, some children can give themselves insulin with supervision.
3. Middle school or junior high school. Children of this age should be able to give themselves insulin with supervision and perform self-monitoring of blood glucose under usual circumstances when they are not experiencing a low blood sugar level.
4. High school. The student should be able to perform self-monitoring of blood glucose under usual circumstances when not experiencing low blood sugar levels. In high school, adolescents should be able to give themselves insulin without supervision.