October 25, 2005
School and Daycare
Question from Kitts Hill, Ohio, USA:
My 11 year old daughter came home from school complaining that she had to use the bathroom so bad that her stomach hurt, her face was getting hot, and she almost cried, but the teacher refused to let her go to the bathroom. Another problem is that some of the teachers try to tell her she has to go to the nurse alone to get her sugar checked when she feels low. Could you please just put it in writing the importance of letting a diabetic child go to the bathroom when they need to and the importance of having a buddy go with her when she feels low to the nurse?
Answer:
It is essential to develop a 504 plan that incorporates services and aids to meet your child’s diabetes needs and to ensure that your child has equal access to all school-related opportunities. Bathroom access and having someone to accompany your child to the office are just a couple of the provisions that might be written into your child’s 504 plan. For more information, see the American Diabetes Association’s web site page on School Discrimination.
CJ
