JUVENILE DIABETES
Definition
Juvenile Diabetes is also known as Type 1 Diabetes. This is a chronic condition in which only about 5% of all people with diabetes has according to the American Diabetes Association (ADA). This condition can affect
any age but is most commonly seen in children and young adults.
With Juvenile Diabetes the person is unable to produce the insulin needed to break down the sugars that we eat into glucose which our bodies use for energy. The Joslin Diabetes Center (JDC) says that if the sugars aren’t broken down and moved into the blood cells, the sugar is left in the bloodstream which then can damage blood vessels as well as other organs over time. Depending of the severity of the diabetes, if there is a dramatic blood sugar spike it can lead to a diabetic coma or even death.
It is said that the cause is a combination of genetics and environmental but researchers haven’t pinpointed the exact cause for it yet. Researchers have however come up with was to maintain someone's blood sugar, for example the most common way is through insulin therapy which is where the
person wears a pump that will administer insulin into their body throughout the day or insulin can be injected through a shot after each meal.
Instructional Strategies
Here are some helpful tips from the ADA of how to work with students who have diabetes in the classroom. You can find the more detailed description of all these tips below in the other section.
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Every case of diabetes is different
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Don’t draw unwanted/unneeded attention to the student
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Give the student subtle reminders
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Don’t label the student
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Emphasize don’t Sympathize
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Always be prepared
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Use the buddy system
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Don’t say no to letting the student use the bathroom
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Be patient
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Keep communication going with the necessary people
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Learn everything you can about diabetes
Useful Websites
This is a website that breaks down the different kinds of help that a student may need depending on their school level. There are some helpful tips and information for both parents and school personnel.
Website: https://beyondtype1.org/school/
The American Diabetes Association (ADA) is the main informational page about everything diabetes. There is everything from how to live with diabetes, how to eat and exercise, and the newest research and practices that are being done. There is also a section that talks about IEPs under the “Living with Diabetes” tab.
Website: http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/type-1/?referrer=https://www.google.com/
The Diabetes Research Institute is another organization that its main goal is to find a cure for diabetes. Aside from finding a cure on the website you can find tips as to how to manage diabetes and there is some information on support for parents.
Website: https://www.diabetesresearch.org/what-is-type-one-diabetes
Joslin Diabetes Center (JDC) mainly focuses on the research aspect of diabetes. Their main goal from their research is to find a cure and make sure people who have diabetes live long, happy, and healthy lives.
Website: http://www.joslin.org/info/what_is_type_1_diabetes.html
JRDF is a website that focuses on doing what it can to cure Type 1 (Juvenile) Diabetes. Here you can find some symptoms and how to identify them as well as other different resources.
Website: http://www.jdrf.org/t1d-resources/symptoms/type-1-diabetes/
Research
This is an article about how if the needs of students with diabetes aren’t reached while in school, what the long term consequences could be. Which is possibly not being able to get a job and having other cognitive issues.
PDF: Impact of childhood-onset type 1 diabetes on schooling
Attached is the full article, but the link takes you to a brief description of what this article is about. Which is how managing a diabetics A1C levels may have a connection to depression and how to manage a diabetics A1C to prevent depression.
This is a very brief article about how it is possible that dogs maybe able to detect low blood sugar levels.
PDF: Exhaled Breath Isoprene Rises During Hypoglycemia in Type 1 Diabetes
The link takes you to a brief overview of the also attached article. In the article it talks about how Autism may increase the chances of someone getting Type 2 Diabetes.
Other
Detailed descriptions of the Instructional Strategies stated above.
PDF: Tips for Teachers of Students with Diabetes
Information gathered searched for by, Catherine Jasionowski
