Parent/Guardian Responsibility Checklist

Parents/guardians are responsible for providing school personnel with up-to-date information about their child's asthma. Information should be provided to the school at the start of each school year regardless of whether your child is a new student or not. The school should be informed of any changes to your child's asthma situation that will affect their school routine, performance or ability to participate in activities.  

At a minimum your child should be able to:

• Recognize symptoms of worsening asthma.
• Communicate to an adult about asthma symptoms and the need for help.
• Access and use medication quickly. All children with asthma should have easy access to their inhaler medication at all times.

The following responsibility checklist includes things you can do to assist in the management of your child's asthma at school.

• Tell the school that your child has asthma and if he/she will need medication at school.
  
  
• Talk to the principal and your child's teacher(s) about your child's asthma. They need to know about your child's:  
  • Triggers - what makes their asthma worse
  • Signs of worsening asthma - coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness
  • Medication(s) & the importance of having it handy at all times
  • Management plan what they should do if asthma gets worse
    
    
• Complete and return a Student Asthma Management Plan,
  • Give your child's teacher(s) a copy of the plan
    
    
• Find out about the school's procedure for managing asthma medications. Be sure your child has easy access to their reliever medication while at school.
  • Complete and return any Authorization for School Medication Use Form (Board Specific) the school requires. Have your child's doctor/health care provider help you complete it.
  • If your child is capable of using his/her own inhaler, ensure that your child:
    • has the blue reliever inhaler handy at all times
    • knows when and how to use the inhaler correctly
  • If your child is not carrying his/her own blue reliever inhaler, make sure that the inhaler is kept in the classroom so that it is within reach at all times.
  • If your child needs help from school staff to take their inhaler, provide information for them on how to give the inhaler medications correctly.  
    • Using A Diskus Inhaler
    • Using An MDI
    • MDI and Spacer with Mouthpiece
    • Using A Turbuhaler
• Review with your child how to prevent and handle symptoms related to exercise
  • Helping Children with Asthma Stay Active
  • Asthma and Exercise
    
    
• Prepare your child for school field trips and discuss any issues with the supervising staff person.
  
  
• Provide a MedicAlert ™ bracelet or necklace for your child.   The form can be obtained by calling 1-800-668-1507.
  
  
• Work with your school to create an asthma friendly environment for your child.
  
  
• Suggest that the school offer the school based asthma program RAP – Roaring Adventures of Puff to students with asthma.