Back to school time-Muhahaha!

(Utah Asthma Program)

It's that time of year again, time to fill out Asthma Action Plans! I just got my blank forms in the mail from Really Amazing School Nurse. She sent two copies, one for daughter Kitty, and one for Son #2. She has done a great job taking care of my kids over the years.

Every summer, she sends out a new Asthma Action Plan. She uses a different version than this form, but it's the same basic idea. I fill out my part, then take it to Asthma Doc so he can fill out his part. It's VERY important to actually turn those back in to the school nurse. She makes sure the kid's teachers have a copy of the Asthma Action Plan. Since kids are in school an average of 7 hours a day, I would like everyone there know what to do if my child has an asthma attack. And they won't know what to do unless they have the form. There are different types of inhalers and different doses. How will your child know what to do? Ever seen a kid panic during an asthma attack? It's nice to have written instructions. Do they get one puff of their inhaler? Two puffs? What do you do if that doesn't work? The Asthma Action Plan will tell you what to do for your child.

Some people think they can just give their child an inhaler to take to school. Yes and no. It is legal in EVERY state in the U.S. to carry an inhaler with you at all times in school. BUT, you have to fill out a permission form at the beginning of every school year. Check with your school to see what they use. Usually the parent, doctor and school nurse sign i, then it's kept on file at school. That makes it legal for kids to carry "a drug" in a drug-free zone.

Almost every state in the country also allows kids to carry Epi-pens. There are a few hold out states. It looks like Wisconsin and Rhode Island finally passed laws. According to the Allergy & Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics , New York is the last state that needs to pass a law. (Get with it New York!!!!!) If you have a child with a food allergy, you want them to have their Epi-Pen with them at ALL times. I've witnessed anaphylaxis once with Son #1, and I NEVER want to go through that again. It can kill your child in a matter of minutes......luckily Son #1 survived.

So, add this to your list of Back-to-School supplies. Yeah, the kids needs clothes, shoes and school supplies. But they also need an Asthma Action Plan. Their life could depend on it.