What to do If Your Child is Being Bullied for Living with T1D

For parents of kids living with type 1 diabetes (T1D), there’s the initial heartbreak at diagnosis: knowing there’s nothing you can do to make it go away. Then, as children grow up with diabetes, there’s another kind of heartbreak: watching them get teased for it. About half of children living with T1D are bullied. 

Bullying around T1D is not a guarantee, but kids love to point out anything interesting, curious or different. Type 1 diabetes is no different. Kids usually respond in several ways: maybe they suddenly don’t feel like testing their blood sugar in public anymore, or wearing their insulin pump to school, maybe they’re afraid to go low in front of peers because someone called them “weird,” “broken,” or “sick.” 

For parents, you may feel rage, guilt or even hopelessness, because T1D already asks too much of your child. They carry responsibilities and fears that most adults would struggle with. They walk the daily tightrope of high and low blood sugars, painful site changes, interrupted sleep—all while trying to fit in. The last thing they (and you!) need is for other people to give them a hard time, while they’re just trying to survive.

If your child is being bullied in school, there are concrete ways to help them feel supported, empowered and safe. 

Believe your child

The first and most important thing you can do is listen to your child and not minimize their experience. Bullying can be subtle and silent. And if your child is feeling “off” or snubbed by peers, their experience is valid. 

Sometimes parents say things like:

• “Maybe they’re just curious!”
• “Try to ignore them.”
• “Kids can be mean.” 

And while parents are trying to be helpful, when a child is being bullied, statements like these do not help. Bullying around T1D is deeply personal. If someone is afraid of “catching” diabetes from your child or makes fun of their midday low snacks, it can create personal shame for your child around a condition that they didn’t ask for. 

Try one of these statements instead:

• “Thank you for telling me.”
• “That sounds really hard and hurtful.”
• “You don’t deserve to be treated that way.”
• “Let’s figure this out together.”
• “You’re not alone.”

Validate your child’s experience. Their feelings and experiences matter.

Know what bullying can look like

Bullying is not always swirlies in the toilet. Sometimes, it can look like direct teasing:

• “Ew, what’s attached to you?”
• “Can I catch your diabetes? Gross!”
• “Did you get diabetes from eating too much sugar?”
• “Only my grandma has diabetes!”
• “This means you’ll die early!” 

Other times, it can be exclusion:

• Not being included in friend gatherings or sleepovers 
• Not being invited to birthday parties or dinner parties
• Other children are not willing to sit near them during blood sugar checks or injections

It may only take a few times for your child to adjust their behavior accordingly: they may want to hide their sites, not take insulin in front of others, try to keep their blood sugars high to avoid treating lows or even self-select out of certain activities to keep their guard up.

These are classic survival responses to bullying that should be taken seriously. 

Partner with the school early

Don’t wait until the bullying becomes severe to involve your child’s school. Some people you should alert to the bullying include:

• Teacher(s)
• School nurse
• Guidance counselor
• Coaches
• Principal

Start with a meeting with their teacher to explain specifically what is happening and how it is affecting your child both emotionally and medically. 

Diabetes bullying can become a health and safety issue, especially if your child starts avoiding treatment because they are embarrassed. 

In a meeting with the school, be sure to ask:

• How are incidents being (or going to be) documented?
• Who is monitoring the situation?
• How and when will staff intervene?
• What protections are in place for students with disabilities?
• What does punishment look like for the perpetrators? 

All children living with disabilities, including diabetes, deserve and are entitled to a learning environment where they can safely manage their condition openly and with confidence. 

Teach your child simple, empowering responses

Your child doesn’t have to become a disability advocate, but having some prepared, simple statements can help them stand up for themselves and keep their confidence. 

Depending on their age and ability, they might respond:

• “It’s my insulin pump, and it keeps me alive.”
• “Diabetes isn’t contagious, but thank you for asking.” 
• “I didn’t get it from eating too much sugar. It is genetic.”
• “My phone alarms me to keep me safe and healthy.”
• “Anyone can get diabetes. Age doesn’t matter.”
• “Please don’t make fun of my medical condition.” 

Some children might benefit from role-playing and practicing these statements with you or a sibling of theirs at home. Practicing ahead of time helps mitigate anxiety for when they’re bullied in real time. 

You and your child may also want to do a presentation about their T1D at their school, to help combat stigma and shut the bullying up with facts. A bonus is that it would be a great learning experience for everyone! 

You may also want to talk to your child’s librarian or teacher about having some books about T1D and other disabilities available at their school. This could make an excellent story time for younger kids!  

Help your child find their people

One of the most powerful aspects of life with T1D is learning that you’re not alone. Diabetes camps, support groups, online communities, local meetups and local diabetes events can be life-changing for a young person living with T1D. 

Connection with others, managing the highs and lows of diabetes, changing pump sites midday, and treating lows with apple juice and graham crackers reduces shame and can be inspiring for anyone living with T1D. 

When children see others living confidently with T1D, they can let their guard down, and they begin to realize that diabetes doesn’t make them any less worthy of acceptance or love. 

Watch for mental health changes

While some bullying may be short-lived, diabetes is correlated with increased rates of depression, anxiety and eating disorders.

Pay close attention to more permanent mental health changes in your child, including:

• Becoming withdrawn 
• Starting to avoid school or extracurricular activities 
• Hiding diabetes devices
• Not dosing or testing blood sugar levels in public
• Doesn’t want to hang out with friends
• Avoids foods and activities involving food 
• Experiencing more frequent high blood sugars (a sign of skipping doses)
• Seems anxious or depressed
• Starts to have trouble sleeping
• Is struggling with schoolwork 

Children with T1D are already carrying a heavy load. If they’re being bullied on top of that, the impact can be overwhelming. There can be tremendous benefits to seeking help from a therapist. 

Talk with your child’s pediatrician if you think they may benefit from counseling or therapy, especially from a physician with experience in chronic illness or pediatric populations. 

Remind them that diabetes is only a part of who they are

Your child is so much more than their diabetes. They are not a diagnosis. They are a whole person, with dreams, hopes, fears and a whole lot of resilience. 

Bullying around medical conditions can make children feel extremely isolated. They need your constant love and fierce advocacy to help build their foundation. 

The way you treat and speak about diabetes at home matters. Treat diabetes management as part of your normal family life without shame, and it can help shape how they see themselves in the outside world. 

Children are always listening and always watching. Make sure your child knows that they are strong, capable, never alone, and most importantly: type 1 diabetes is never anything to be ashamed of. 

Looking for more community for both you and your child with T1D? Join our Community Apps to connect other parents who know exactly what you’re going through.