With a bit of planning, your child's asthma shouldn't keep him or her from doing many of the things kids do, whether it's going to school or participating in sports.

Getting ready for school

Before the start of the school year, talk to your child's teachers, nurses, and coaches and come up with a plan that you all can follow.

• Provide the school nurse with your child's health records, medications, and Asthma Action Plan.
• Inform your child's teachers and coaches that he or she has asthma.
• Explain your child's asthma triggers. Share any information that will help assure your child's asthma is controlled when you're not there.
• Discuss creative ways to get your child involved, even when his or her asthma is acting up. After all, the soccer game could probably use a ref, and the basketball game could use a scorekeeper.
• Enlist the school's assistance in helping your child avoid asthma triggers. Everything from dusty gym floors and mats to classroom pets can cause asthma to act up.

It's also important to involve your child in his or her own treatment when at school. So show your child how to use medications properly. Also talk to the school about letting your child carry a fast-acting (rescue) inhaler throughout the day.

Determining whether your child is well enough to attend school
When it comes to deciding whether or not you should send your child to school, there are some general guidelines to follow. Of course, if you're not sure, talk to your child's doctor.

You may want your child to go to school if he or she:

• Has a stuffy nose, but is not wheezing
• Is wheezing a little, but stops after taking medication
• Has a peak flow meter reading in the green zone
• Can do usual daily activities
• Needs no extra effort to breathe

• An infection, sore throat, or swollen, painful neck glands
• A temperature of 100°F or higher and a flushed face that is hot
• Wheezing or coughing that still bothers him or her even after taking medications
• Difficulty participating in daily activities
• A peak flow reading in the yellow or red zone.

If your child should need to stay home, make sure he or she doesn't fall behind with schoolwork. It's a good idea to figure out some ways to help your child keep up with assignments.

Participating in activities
Your child should also enjoy a healthy and active lifestyle. Your child's doctor may actually encourage it. So whether it's an after-school activity or gym-class sport, if your doctor believes it is an appropriate activity for your child, your child should be encouraged to participate. If you notice your child is avoiding activity, it's a good idea to find out why. First, ask your child. Then talk to your child's doctor.

To help your child stay active, you may want to take some extra precautions to assure asthma triggers don't interfere with the fun.

• Plan for the weather. If your child is playing outside in the cold (which can sometimes trigger asthma), have your child wear a scarf.
• Have your child pace himself or herself when participating in the activity.
• At the first sign of symptoms, stop the activity.

Help educate school officials on what symptoms they should be watching for, as well as what to do should an emergency arise.

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