My family (mom, dad, and brothers) don’t understand what high and low blood sugar does to our six-year-old son’s behavior. It’s almost like they think we have no control over him. Are their any books or articles that deal with behav

One source of information that you could download and print out with no charge would be Chapter 6 from Understanding Diabetes by H. Peter Chase, MD., but of course the real solution is to work with your diabetes team to prevent inappropriate high and low blood sugars and if it is possible also to ask for help from the Medical Social Worker to see if there could be any other reasons for the behaviour problems.

DOB
Additional comments from Barb Schreiner, diabetes nurse specialist:

Here are some books that can help:

The Ten Keys to Helping Your Child Grow Up With Diabetes by Tim Wysocki, Ph.D.
Real Life Parenting of Kids with Diabetes by Virginia Nasmyth Loy.

BS
Additional comments from Dr. Philip Ledereich:

Get the excellent video from Dr. Peter Chase: Managing Diabetic Hypoglycemia.

PSL
Additional comments from Dr. David Schwartz:

While I do not think it unlikely that wide fluctuations in glucose have effects on behavior, it is far too easy to ascribe all irregular behavior to “the diabetes.”

Low glucoses have much better documented effects on behavior than do high glucoses.

The family should take a step back and have serious talks with their diabetes team. Discussions with the team psychologist or psychosocial worker may be warranted.

DS