Living With Diabetes
Educate teachers, school personnel and other child care providers about taking care of your child with type 1 diabetes. Download this helpful guide now.
SUPPORT FOR PARENTS
The 411 on the 504 Plan for Diabetes: What you Need to Know
Whether your child is newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes or you’re a veteran diabetes parent, creating a customized 504 Plan that works for your child at school can be a challenge. This video series from the Diabetes Research Institute’s Della Matheson, R.N., C.D.E., and Raj Hirani, Ph.D., and the DRI Foundation’s Tom Karlya, who are all affected by type 1 diabetes personally, walks you through this process and helps you make informed decisions about your child’s 504 Plan, Diabetes Medical Management Plan (DMMP), accommodations for your child with diabetes, and so much more.
Part 1—What is a 504 Plan and When Should You Prepare It?
The 504 Plan creates a blueprint for how the school will provide support for your child with diabetes. And you should start preparing it sooner than you think.
Part 2—Customizing the 504 Plan for Your Child
A generic 504 Plan will only create frustration; customization is key. Everything must be documented to ensure safety and success for your child with diabetes throughout the school year.
Part 3—More Than a Medical Plan: Accommodations to Consider
A 504 Plan should include accommodations for type 1 diabetes that go beyond your child’s medical needs. Have you thought about field trips…timed tests…substitutes…? Don’t leave it to common sense alone; make sure it’s written in the plan.
Part 4—Keys to Success: Communication, Collaboration & Customization
As a father of a child with type 1 diabetes, Dr. Hirani shares how he created a customized plan for his 8-year-old son, Krish, and talks about the need for a collaborative partnership with teachers and school administration.
Part 5—Don’t Set It and Forget It: The Need for Periodic Review
Has your child’s insulin-to-carb ratio changed? Did he/she get a new diabetes pump or continuous glucose monitor? Then, you have to update the 504 Plan! The school cannot implement the new diabetes treatment plan on your word alone; it must be documented.
Part 6—Cautionary Flags: How to Avoid Potential Problems
Is your child experiencing conflict related to diabetes? Watch out for these red flags to avoid potential problems. Making small adjustments to the plan can ease possible classroom disruptions.
Part 7—Beyond the 504 Plan: Getting Additional Services
Did you know there may be additional resources available for your child with diabetes at school? Understanding the process will help you get the support you need.
Did you find this education series helpful?
Do you feel like you could benefit from additional support? The DRI’s Education and Nutrition Service can help empower you with knowledge and confidence in taking care of your child’s diabetes. Learn more about our class offerings or call 305-243-1062.
Educate teachers, school personnel and other child care providers about taking care of your child with type 1 diabetes with this guide. Order FREE printed copies now.
Della Matheson, R.N., C.D.E., who has type 1 diabetes, serves as Trial Coordinator for the University of Miami Clinical Center for the Type 1 Diabetes TrialNet Study. She also serves as the Director of Education at the DRI. She has been a Certified Diabetes Educator for more than 30 years.
Tom Karlya, who has three adult children—two with type 1 diabetes—is the Senior Vice President of the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation. He is also well known in the diabetes community as DiabetesDad.
Khemraj Hirani, Ph.D., whose 8-year-old son, Krish, has type 1 diabetes, is Director of Regulatory Affairs and Quality Assurance at the DRI. He also serves as Associate Vice Provost for Human Subject Research at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.
