Asthma Child at School

Michelle - posted on 11/27/2009

Um yeah that was part of the reason we are homeschooling now. Joe has chemical sensitivity and in 5th grade they had a new building with fresh waxed floors and lovely carpets with glue fumes and dry erase board markers. Everytime he entered the building he would have a fall to the floor and turn blue asthma attack that even nebulizer treatments could not control. 5 minutes in the building resulted in a 3-5 day hospital stay. After 5 hospitals stays and 58 absences (3 doctors requested home bound instruction and the paper was not filed) in the first 72 days of school and I was threaten with being taken to court and have to pay a 200 dollar per day fine for each absence the school board deemed unexcuse I with drew him. BTW he has straight A's through it all. Our primary care doctor went to the school board meeting with me and showed them the Xrays and such to explain why he was out so much. Every absence was excuse but I was tired of fighting and figured if I was able to teach him well enough while he was sick in a hospital I could teach him at home and keep him well.

Amber - posted on 09/26/2009

My son missed a lot of time last year for being hospitalized three times last year from his asthma, pneumonia and a collapsed lung. The school was understandable to a point, but I didn't send him if there was any doubt because they didn't want him to go home once he got there. He called me a few times and they tried to talk me into having him stay. As far as his inhalers, we have to have a doctor fill out a form if we want to leave them in the office, I choose not to do this because I want my son to keep them on him, (in his back pack or desk) so he can do them before recess, gym or when he needs them, we don't need a note for that. Last year when he missed a lot of time, he was getting treatments every three hours. I purchased a portable nebulizer he can sit at his desk and use. It is so nice you can plug it into the car lighter, the wall or there is a battery pack.

G - posted on 09/13/2009

Yes Amy, I too have had problems with my 7 year olds school previously. She missed a totally of 18 days in First grade, and I had to provide documentation stating she was sick or under a doctors care for the individual days, even days where I called the school to alert them that she would not be attending because she is home being medicated, and she was too tired to get up. So I totally understand what you are going through. I'm glad to hear that your daughter has maintained a B and on the Honor Roll, Congrats to her and you!

My daughter did make it to the 2nd grade, she can read on a 3rd grade level, so lets' see what happens this year.

Jennifer - posted on 05/06/2009

So nice to know I am not alone in this! I worry everyday I send my 7 year old to school.

Alta - posted on 04/17/2009

I haven't had my child with asthma out, but my oldest daughter has missed for other medical problems. As long as I call her in to school and she makes up any work she missed within the time she is allowed there has never been any problems. I don't understand why they would be so concerned if she is still getting good grades with the days she misses.

Andi - posted on 04/16/2009

My daughter (6 yrs) has severe asthma and has missed several weeks of school due to her asthma. We spoke to our doctor and they suggested that we fill out a critical illness form at school. Since we have filled out this paper, and your doctor will have to sign it, we have had no issues at school as long as all the work is made up.

Sherry - posted on 04/10/2009

My son in 4 and in pre-school and I was concerned about his asthma when he started. I talked to anyone I could about it and I left his medications with the office for when the nurse came to the school. (she only comes once a week, she rotates with other schools) Anyhow, she called when she got his meds and said they had a program with the state where they have a respitory therapist come to the school once a week to visit with the kids with asthma that are signed up. They go through your insurance, but if not covered you are not charged. He goes once a week and she evaluates him and talks to them about their conditions, what to look for and how to use their inhalers. Any time they have to give him his medication at school, he comes home with paperwork letting me know what happed and how it was handled. I am very happy that his school has taken the initiative to help out kids with asthma. It has helped to ease my concern over his care. I live in NC, but if this information can help anyone out there I urge you to look into it at your childrens school.

Vanessa - posted on 03/11/2009

Yes I totally know what your going thru I live in NJ and my sons in 4th grade and he can't carry his inhaler yet, but they don't give him his treatments when he needs them either. They don't even check on him and I don't like that I'm in the process of fighting that now!!!

Christine - posted on 03/11/2009

I currently sit on a parent board for my school district. We received a grant to support the Asthma Friendly Schools Initative. It's a wonderful place where we can meet with school nurses and other parents to discuss how to communicate with the school about your child's needs. I make sure my son's asthma action plan is followed and that all his meds are at school. I did run into a problem when he was in kindergarten...the gym teacher questioned him as to if he really needed his inhaler or not...he came home gasping off the bus for air. I was very upset. and let everyone know about it.



Communication is the key in these situations. I talk with all my son's teachers so they know he is asthmatic. Due to privacy laws here in NY the school isn't allowed to tell the teachers of his medical situation...so I do it myself.



My son is 9 this month...and luckily he has not had a problem with school absences...only one this year! He does not need to carry his inhaler with him.