When you find out that your child has Type 1 Diabetes, it is normal for you as a parent to feel a great burden and fear. On the one hand, you want to protect your child like a pair of eyes, and on the other hand, you want to give your child the freedom and strength to manage this condition on their own as they grow older. The challenge is to maintain a balance between the two. With each birthday, your child spends more time away from you and alone. Diabetes will follow them wherever they go, whether at school, playing with friends, going to classes. Therefore, if you teach them how to take care of this on their own from a young age, you and your child will feel a great sense of relief.
Clearly explain the danger signs to your child.
The most important and first step in managing diabetes is to recognize the symptoms of high blood sugar and low blood sugar. Both of these conditions can quickly become dangerous, so it is essential for the child and adults who interact with the child (e.g. teachers) to be aware of these.
Let's look at these two main conditions and what their characteristics are.
| Dangerous situation | Commonly seen symptoms |
|---|---|
| Ketoacidosis (High blood sugar) | Simply put, this is when blood sugar levels become too high and acids called ketones accumulate in the blood. Your child may show the following symptoms:
|
| Hypoglycemia (Low blood sugar) | This condition occurs when blood sugar levels drop too low. In this case, the child may show the following symptoms: |
Both of these situations can quickly become dangerous, so it can be life-saving for the child, their teachers, and their closest friends to be aware of these symptoms and know what to do in such a situation.
How to pave the way for successful management?
It is important to instill in your child from the very beginning that having Type 1 diabetes does not have to stop them from achieving their dreams in life. At the same time, it is important to make them understand that this is a serious health condition and the importance of managing it properly.
How do you teach young children?
When teaching this to a preschooler or very young child, always use simple words . The most important thing is to involve the child in his or her own care. This is the best foundation for lifelong self-management.
Imagine, you could do things like this:
- Ask the child, "Which finger would you like to prick to check your blood sugar today?"
- "Let him choose where he wants to inject his insulin today? In the stomach? In the arm?"
- If your child uses an insulin pump (continuous pump), let them choose where to attach it to their body.
Small things like this give the child a sense of control, and their fear and reluctance towards the process are reduced.
How to involve older children?
If your child is in elementary school or a little higher, start delegating responsibilities gradually under your supervision. Don't give them everything all at once.
Start with something simple. For example, teach your child to check their blood sugar levels before eating. Once they get used to doing it correctly, you can teach them to count the carbohydrates in the next meal they eat. Gradually, increase the amount of responsibility.
Talk to your doctor about this. Ask the medical team at the diabetes clinic what responsibilities can be assigned to your child, appropriate for their age and abilities.
The most important thing is that as a child reaches puberty, the amount of insulin their body needs also changes with the hormonal changes that occur in their body. During this time, it is essential to stay in touch with your doctor and adjust your insulin dosage as needed.
The importance of educating school and friends
The child spends most of his time at school. Therefore, it is very important to keep the class teacher and sports teacher informed about the child's condition. In case of emergency, that is, low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), teach them simply what to do.
- Tell us about the symptoms of low blood sugar (shaking, sweating, nervousness).
- In such a case, advise them to give something sugary (glucose tablets, a sweet drink, a piece of toffee) as soon as possible.
- It's also a good idea to inform one or two of the child's closest friends.
When the environment is set up in this way, the child gains great strength to carry out his daily tasks with confidence and without fear.
Take-Home Message
- It is essential to teach the child and those the child interacts with (teachers, friends) about the dangerous symptoms of high and low blood sugar levels.
- From an early age, teach your child to manage their situation using simple methods that are appropriate for their age.
- Involving your child in small tasks, such as choosing a finger for a blood test or choosing a site for an insulin injection, can increase their support and interest.
- As your child grows, gradually delegate responsibilities under your supervision. Don't hand over everything at once.
- Maintain regular contact with your child's doctor. It is especially important to seek medical advice as insulin needs change as your child ages.
- Remember, with proper management and your love and support, even a child with diabetes can live a full, active, and happy life.
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