How to Help a Child With Asthma

Families must make certain adaptations when their children suffer with asthma. An asthmatic child faces unique psychosocial pressures and physical limitations. As a parent, you want to protect your youngster while still allowing him his independence.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Scarves
• Emergency Instructions
• Asthma Medications

1. Educate your child about asthma. Teach him to identify his "triggers" and how to avoid them, and to use his inhaler when he feels wheezy.
2. Teach him how to purse-lip breathe and how to breathe from his diaphragm. (See "How to Control Asthma Symptoms.")
3. Eliminate triggers from his environment, including dust, cold air, pet dander and cigarette smoke.
4. Provide his teacher and school nurse with a set of guidelines concerning when your child is to be sent home and when you are to be called.
5. Give them your doctor's phone number and clear instructions on how they should proceed if your child develops an asthma attack. Ask them to keep classrooms as free from triggers (like chalk dust) as possible.
6. Have your child dress warmly and take the school bus during the winter.
7. Pick a babysitter you trust, educate her about asthma, then try to keep her. Some families with asthmatic children get together to form a babysitting co-op where one set of parents will watch the asthmatic children of another set of parents, and vice versa.
8. Encourage your child to go to school every day, unless staying home is really a must. Create as normal a life for your child as you can.
9. Allow your child to be as physically active as he is able to be. Some children can participate in team sports, while others can't.
10. Consider sending your child to asthma camp each summer. Run by organizations such as the American Lung Association, these are a great place for kids to have fun in an atmosphere where the staff is asthma-aware.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure your child's school nurse knows how to use a nebulizer and a peak flow meter, and has both available for your child. She should also ensure that your child's medications are readily available for him if he is not permitted to carry his medicines with him into the classroom.
• Consider hardwood floors instead of rugs in your child's room.
• Buy tropical fish instead of puppies and hamsters.
• Use blinds and shades instead of curtains and avoid furry stuffed toys.
• Never dust your child's room when he is in it.
• If you have any questions or concerns, contact a physician or other health care professional before engaging in any activity related to health and diet. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment.