We are just starting a teenage support group here, and I’d love to know whether your support groups move on a particular programme or what issues are tackled and how!

We have found in our teen diabetes support group that adolescents have a very good idea of what they need to do to achieve good diabetes control. There rarely seems to be a knowledge deficit, as indicated by our using diabetes knowledge scales at our teen retreat.

The trick is how to motivate teens to take care of their diabetes in spite of the obvious competing priorities in their lives. The topics we find most successful are driving, drinking and dating issues, as well as diabetes games such as diabetes jeopardy or role playing. Have the kids develop skits around diabetes dilemmas such as “where do you put your insulin pump under your prom dress?” Have a focus group and see what the kids would like to know more about. Often times, just creating an atmosphere where they can get together and talk is just as [or more] beneficial as a presentation or activity.

HVS