It Takes a CommunityIt Takes a Community: : Helping Parents Create Helping Parents Create a a Healthy, Safe Environment for Healthy, Safe Environment for Children with AsthmaChildren with Asthma

American Association of School AdministratorsNational School Boards Association

Why?Why?Nearly three children in every

classroom of 30 has asthma.If uncontrolled, asthma can be very

disruptive to a child’s school experience; at worst, it can be fatal.

With proper management, a child’s asthma can be controlled.

Creating an asthma-friendly environment benefits everyone.

What is Asthma?What is Asthma?Asthma is a chronic (ongoing, long-term)

disease that narrows the passageways to the lungs, making it difficult to breathe.

Children with asthma always have it, but they only have trouble breathing when something bothers their lungs. These are known as “triggers.”

Each person’s asthma is unique. Triggers and symptoms differ for each person.

An asthma attack is when asthma symptoms get out of control.

When asthma is present, the lungs show three primary changes :

• Swelling of the lining of the airways,• Tightening of the muscle bands around the airways, and• Excess mucus production, making it difficult to breathe.

Normal lung tissue Lung tissue with asthma

Symptoms of Asthma

A child may experience one or all of these symptoms:

WheezingCoughingShortness of breathRapid breathingDifficulty talkingTightness in the chest

Asthma Medications There are two types of medications to help manage asthma:

Quick Relief Medications◦Taken immediately at the first sign of

symptoms◦Should be easily available to the child at

all timesController Medications

◦Preventive only; does not provide relief during an asthma attack

◦Usually taken at home

Medical Devices that Help Medical Devices that Help Manage AsthmaManage Asthma

Spacer and Valved Holding Chamber

Used with quick relief medications.

Helps medication reach deeper into the lungs.

Peak Flow MeterMeasures air output.Can show signs of

symptoms before a child feels them.

Asthma can be controlled, but not cured.

Here’s what parents can do.

Action StepsComplete and Maintain Asthma Action PlansReduce Asthma TriggersManage Medications and Master TechniquesEncourage Opportunities for Physical

ActivityEstablish and Maintain Good

Communication with School and CommunityProvide and/or Take Advantage of Asthma

Education

Action Step #1: Asthma Action Plans An Asthma Action plan has all the important information about a child’s asthma in one place. Written by a health practitioner, it includes:

A child’s specific asthma triggers

Which medications a child takes and when to take them

What to do if symptoms get worse

When to call 911

Asthma Action Plans – cont.An updated asthma action plan

should be completed every school year and revised at each doctor visit.

Provide a copy to the:◦School nurse and other school

personnel;◦Out-of-school providers;◦Anyone responsible for the child’s

care.

Action #2 - Reduce Asthma Triggers

Triggers are different for every child with asthma and may include:

Action #2 - Reduce Asthma TriggersTake steps to reduce exposure to triggers. Ensure children with asthma have:A smoke-free environmentPets without dander such as fishA dust-free and mold-free environment, cleaned with appropriate cleansersEnsure A/C and ventilation systems are free of air pollutantsNo bus or car idling policiesAccess to medications before and after exercise, if in the Asthma Action Plan

Action #3 -- Manage Asthma Medications

Quick relief medications should be easily available to a child at all times.◦ Self-carry for students who meet school

district’s criteria◦ Back-up emergency medication plan for

students allowed to self-administer medication◦ Parents obtain at least 3 sets of

medications/devices (for home, school, out-of-school activity)

Schools may be a resource to parents in exploring insurance options to cover medication costs.

Action # 4 -- Encourage Opportunities For Physical ActivityRegular exercise is important for all children, including those with asthma.Children with asthma, coaches, teachers, and out of school providers should know how to manage asthma when a child is physically active.Medications and individual children’s asthma action plans should be easily accessible.

Action # 5 -- Establish and Maintain Good Communication

Discuss the child’s asthma with school staff and out-of-school caregivers.

Make sure the child understands his/her medications and is able to communicate their needs

Inform school and caregivers of absences due to asthma.

Action #6 -- Provide or Take Advantage of Asthma Education

Review and assess policies to see if they are asthma friendly.

Attend training, and obtain and share information about asthma with school personnel.

Make sure that the school and district provide asthma management and emergency training to all staff.

Review the health curriculum to see if it provides information on asthma and asthma management for students.

ResourcesResources

NATIONAL RESOURCES

Allergy and Asthma Network/Mothers of Asthmatics

American Association of School Administrators

American Lung Association Centers for Disease Control and

Prevention Environmental Protection

Agency National Asthma Education an

Prevention Program/NIH National Association of School

Nurses National PTA National School Boards

Association

LOCAL RESOURCES

Guide for Families, Schools, and CommunitiesGuide for Families, Schools, and Communities

Available on-line at Http://www.aasa.org and at http://www.nsba.org

THANK YOU!!

This presentation was developed by the American Association of School Administrators (AASA) and the National School Boards Association (NSBA). AASA is the membership organization for local school system leaders across the country. NSBA represents state associations of school boards and their member districts. This presentation was developed under a cooperative agreement with the Division of Adolescent and School Health of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention grant number U58/DP 000398-04. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.