The Teacher’s Guide To Supporting Kids With Type 1 Diabetes

Being a teacher means caring for 20 to 30 kids every day. (You deserve a gold medal!) At some point in your career, you might have a student with type 1 diabetes (T1D) in your class. That can feel like a lot to take in, but there’s no need to worry! 

This guide will help you understand what T1D means for your student(s), so you can keep them healthy, safe and feeling included at school.

First, what is type 1 diabetes?

First thing’s first—what is T1D? T1D is an autoimmune disease that affects the pancreas. Researchers believe a combination of genetic, viral and environmental factors may cause T1D. In a person without diabetes, the pancreas normally makes insulin—a hormone your body needs to turn food into energy. 

 When you have T1D, your pancreas stops making insulin. As a result, people with T1D need to take  insulin with a syringe,smart pen, inhaler or deliver it through an insulin pump. 

So don’t be alarmed or angry if you hear beeps and boops during class from your T1D student—it’s probably just their insulin pump or continuous glucose monitor (CGM). Students with T1D may even need to use their phones during class to stay in touch with their support system throughout the day or to check their CGM or insulin pump apps to manage their diabetes.

People with T1D also have to carefully balance their insulin with what they eat and how active they are, all while checking their blood sugar regularly. Managing T1D is a nonstop, 24/7 balancing act. There’s no way to prevent it, and there’s no cure (yet)!

T1D fast facts

As a teacher, it’s helpful to know just enough to support your student(s). 

If you’re new to T1D, here are a handful of important facts you should know in the school setting:

• T1D isn’t caused by lifestyle choices, like eating too much sugar or not getting enough exercise.
  
• T1D isn’t contagious. (Cooties definitely are, though!)
  
• T1D used to be called “juvenile diabetes,” but it affects kids and adults alike. Over 50% of all new cases occur in adults over the age of 18 now!
• Children/teens/people with T1D can still eat sugar and carbs like those without diabetes can; they just have to be mindful of their insulin doses and activity levels.
  
• T1D doesn’t mean things are automatically off-limits. Children/teens/people with T1D can do most things, just like those without diabetes; it just takes some extra prep and planning sometimes. T1D kiddos should still be included in field trips, recess, special snacks, etc.

Students with T1D all have different home lives

Another key factor for teachers to understand is that students with T1D enter your classroom with different levels of support—some have a lot, some have a little and some have none. You might be the best support person they see all day.

Never assume that mom and dad or another caregiver is deeply involved. Some kids might be doing everything on their own, by choice or because of having no other options. That’s why getting to know your students and their home life can be helpful when it comes to supporting them with their disease management during the school day.

How can a teacher make a difference in a student with T1D’s life?

At this point, you might be wondering: T1D is a lot—what’s my true role in this child’s life, and how can I help? 

Kids with T1D vary in self-management efficacy, home support and friendships. To truly support a kid with T1D, it’s important to understand who they are as a person first. The general guidelines in this guide offer a helpful starting point, but since each person manages T1D slightly differently (even little ones), school-day diabetes management plans should be tailored.

Communicate with parents and school staff

You’re not on your own! Your student’s parents, the school nurse and other staff should all be part of your student’s support system. Sadly, not everyone has a supportive home life or strong support circle. If you feel a student’s support system isn’t strong enough, speak up. 

It’s worth checking in to make sure everyone’s on the same page about care details. When staff and parents communicate well, it makes school safer and easier for the student. Look into local nonprofit support groups that can help ease the process and work out any kinks.

Learn to recognize high and low blood sugar symptoms

Every student has unique symptoms, so be sure you ask them about it. Here are some of the most common symptoms: :

Common physical symptoms of high blood sugar include:

• Nausea
• Deep or heavy breathing
• Confusion
• Flushed or warm skin
• Drowsiness

This can make your student feel:

• Short-tempered
• Crabby
• Easily angered 
• Impatient
• Restless or anxious
• Unmotivated or emotionally withdrawn

Common physical symptoms of low blood sugar include:

• Shakiness
• Pale or sweaty skin
• Headache
• Hunger
• Weakness
• Trembling

This can make your student feel:

• Funny/Unlike themselves (in adults, like they’re drunk)
• Loopy/Out of it
• Irritable/Snappy
• Confused/Forgetful
• Unfocused/Unable to concentrate
• Overwhelmed with simple decisions
• Panicked/Anxious

If your student’s parents are very involved, they may even want you to have access to their CGM sharing app, which lets you see blood sugar levels throughout the day. This can help reduce the frequent need to ask: “How are you feeling?” or “What is your blood sugar?”, especially with little ones who really don’t know what they’re doing yet! It’s your choice, though, if you want to follow or not. Have a conversation with the family to determine the best way forward. 

Give T1D families a heads-up on schedule changes

Schools change plans all the time—a birthday treat shows up or gym class gets moved. When that happens, let your student’s parent(s) or caregiver(s) know. Food and exercise both affect blood sugar, so a heads-up helps your student and their family plan ahead. If they are well self-managed, you can also tell them directly. 

For example, with most college students, you’d probably go to them directly. With some teens, you might be able to. Even some little ones might impress you! That’s why it’s so important to have clear expectations and a go-forward plan with everyone involved in the student’s care.

Be flexible with accommodations and always encourage your students

Some days, your student with T1D might need a little extra flexibility to feel their best, such as more bathroom breaks, extra snacks, special phone-use privileges or alternative testing arrangements. It’s worth discussing this with parent(s) and caregiver(s) early in the school year so everyone knows the plan before it’s needed. 

If you’re working with teens or college-age students instead of little ones, you may chat with them directly at the beginning of the year instead. Try to help students feel as self-managed and empowered as they want to be, whatever their age.

As a teacher, you’re here to lift kids up throughout their school years, not to reinforce the idea that they can’t do what they want because of T1D. They may sometimes need more planning or accommodations. That’s not a failure; that’s life with T1D!

Don’t be afraid of T1D fumbles—it’s how your student picks themselves up that matters. And you’re there to help them stick the landing.

Know the T1D essentials

Your student likely keeps a few things close by all day: 

• A blood glucose meter (BGM) and/or a CGM
• Fast-acting carbs for lows
• Glucagon. Make sure it’s not expired!
• Insulin pens or pump supplies
• Insulin pump, smart pen or traditional multiple daily injection (MDI) tools

CGMs and insulin pumps can look like phones, but rest assured—they aren’t texting. They’re checking their health—or they should be. If you think a T1D student is abusing this privilege, approach the topic gently. Don’t jump to conclusions before you learn the whole story. They might be texting mom or dad to decide what to do about a stubborn high or a scary low.

Remember: almost anything and everything can affect blood sugar

Stress, exercise, weather and even getting sick can all move blood sugar up or down. A student can feel completely fine one moment and be headed toward a low the next—that’s just part of living with T1D.

Treats are okay, as long as insulin covers them

If a student brings cupcakes for a birthday or holiday party, there’s no need to worry. Work out a plan with the parent(s) or caregiver(s) ahead of time, and make sure the carb count for classroom treats is easy to find so your student can dose accordingly.

Help the rest of the class understand T1D

Living with T1D can feel isolating, especially as a kid. Teaching the rest of the class about T1D helps your student feel understood instead of singled out. You can explain what their devices do and why they might need a snack during the day. If you teach younger students, consider reading a children’s book about T1D to your class. A little education goes a long way.

Beyond Type 1’s Beyond Diagnosis guides can be helpful in the classroom setting. Download a copy for your classroom here.

Keep emergency supplies on hand

Work with your student’s parent(s) or caregiver(s) to build a “low box” to keep in the classroom for emergencies. If your student is older and moves between classrooms, they’ll likely carry their own fast-acting carbs.  They’ll also need to carry glucagon with them at all times. Just know whose responsibility it is so no one is in a bad spot in case of an emergency.

Type 1 diabetes is personal 

Everyone’s T1D routine, journey and mindset is different. As a teacher, you are a key part of a student with T1D’s support circle, even if they’re a self-managed young adult in high school or college. Teachers have a profound impact during key developmental phases, including those of disease management.

They change a lot from elementary through middle to high school! But you know that already. When a kiddo’s body is going through hormonal changes, it can have a crazy impact on T1D. Kids with T1D need rocks in their teachers.

Teachers, consider this your starting point, not hard-and-fast rules for being the best support person for your student(s) with T1D! You’re not there to helicopter over your T1D student or become a nurse.You’re there to be aware, be another set of eyes for parents, provide empathy and compassion and lean in as much or as little as needed for that student. 

This isn’t a hand-off; it’s a relationship. Find more information on helping students with T1D at school here.

Ready to go above and beyond for your student(s)? Dive into the beginner’s guide to T1D here. Get schooled on the ins and outs of this disease!