HOW ASTHMA FRIENDLY IS YOUR SCHOOL?

Children
with asthma need proper support at school to keep their asthma under
control and be fully active. Use the questions below to find out
how well your school assists children with asthma:

Is your school free of tobacco smoke all
of the time, including during school-sponsored
events?

Does the school maintain good indoor air
quality? Does it reduce or eliminate allergens
and irritants that can make asthma worse?
Allergens and irritants include pets with
fur or feathers, mold, dust mites (for example,
in carpets and upholstery), cockroaches,
and strong odors or fumes from such products
as pesticides, paint, perfumes, and cleaning
chemicals.

Is there a school nurse in your school all
day, every day? If not, is a nurse regularly
available to the school to help write plans
and give guidance for students with asthma
about medicines, physical education, and
field trips?

Can children take medicines at school as
recommended by their doctor and parents?
May children carry their own asthma medicines?

Does your school have an emergency plan
for taking care of a child with a severe
asthma episode (attack)? Is it made clear
what to do? Who to call? When to call?

Does someone teach school staff about asthma,
asthma management plans, and asthma medicines?
Does someone teach all students about asthma
and how to help a classmate who has it?

Do students have good options for fully
and safely participating in physical education
class and recess? (For example, do students
have access to their medicine before exercise?
Can they choose modified or alternative
activities when medically necessary?)

If the answer to any question is no, students may be facing obstacles
to asthma control. Asthma out of control can hinder a student’s
attendance, participation, and progress in school. School staff,
health professionals, and parents can work together to remove obstacles
and to promote students’ health and education.

Contact these organizations
for information about asthma and helpful
ideas for making school policies and practices
more asthma-friendly. Federal and State
laws are there to help children with asthma.

Asthma can be controlled; expect
nothing less.