For many families, back-to-school brings a mixture of excitement and nervousness. It almost feels like a second New Year’s celebration.

There are new teachers, new routines, new classrooms and busy mornings. Also, after-school activities resume.
For parents of children with asthma, there can also be another layer of concern.
Will my child’s school understand their asthma?
Will their medication be accessible?
Will staff know what to do if symptoms begin?
Will my child feel confident speaking up when they need help?

These are important questions, especially because September can be a difficult time for children with asthma, with so much newness and change.

Each year, the third week of September is often linked to what is known as the “September Asthma Peak,” when asthma-related hospitalizations among children are at their highest. Returning to school can mean exposure to respiratory viruses, changes in routines, new environments, and triggers that may not have been present over the summer.

The good news is that preparation and planning can make a real difference.

Asthma Canada’s Back to School with Asthma Digital Pack gives parents, caregivers, teachers and children practical tools to help make the school year safer and less stressful.

Start with a plan

One of the most important steps is making sure your child has an up-to-date Asthma Action Plan, so parents, teachers and caregivers can recognize when asthma is well controlled, when symptoms may be getting worse and what steps to take if a child is having an asthma attack.

It is also important that the school has a copy. Parents should speak with their child’s teacher, the school office and any relevant staff about their child’s asthma before the school year becomes too busy, including common triggers, medications, signs that asthma may be worsening and what to do in an emergency.

Help children feel prepared too

Children with asthma also need to understand their own condition in an age-appropriate way. They should know who to talk to at school if they are coughing, wheezing, short of breath, or feeling tightness in their chest, and know where their medication is kept and, where appropriate, how to carry and use it safely.

Asthma Canada’s Kids’ Asthma Diary can help families track symptoms and recognize whether asthma is well managed or whether it may be time to speak with a healthcare professional. For younger children, Mission Breathe, Asthma Canada’s space-themed online adventure, helps kids learn about asthma and how to manage it in an engaging, positive and easy-to-understand way.

Give teachers the information they need

Teachers want students to be safe, but they may not know a child has asthma unless a parent or caregiver tells them. Asthma Canada’s Guide for Teachers provides essential information that can help school staff better understand asthma and respond appropriately when symptoms arise. The Asthma Attack Poster can also help teachers recognize the signs of an asthma attack and know what to do until help arrives.

A short conversation at the beginning of the school year can prevent confusion later. Parents can help by making sure teachers understand what asthma symptoms may look like for their child, what triggers may affect them at school, where their rescue inhaler is kept, whether the child can carry their inhaler, who should be contacted if symptoms worsen, and what to do if the child is having an asthma attack.

It is also important that the school has been given an up-to-date Asthma Action Plan.

A calmer start to the school year

Asthma should never prevent a child from learning, playing, making friends or feeling included at school. With the right information, clear communication and a plan in place, families can begin the school year with more confidence.

Asthma Canada’s Back to School with Asthma Digital Pack includes a parent checklist, a teacher guide, a kids’ asthma diary, an asthma attack poster, and a webinar for parents and teachers covering avoiding triggers, talking with children about asthma, communicating with schools and recognizing asthma symptoms.

This fall, take a few minutes to prepare. It could help your child breathe easier all year long.

Click here to access Asthma Canada’s Back to School with Asthma: Digital Pack