Asthma 101: What Parents of Asthmatic Children Need to Know Before the Bell Rings

A new school year is around the corner, and with it are triggers for students with asthma. As parents and students prepare to head back to class, the American Lung Association wants to remind them that asthma never takes a recess. From classroom dust to playground pollen, schools can be a hotspot for asthma flare-ups. The Lung Association urges families to prep more than just school supplies for the coming school year and to create an asthma action plan for their child.

More than 12,000 Nebraska children currently live with asthma but with proper planning and support, these children can have a safe school year.

The American Lung Association has free asthma resources for parents and students at Lung.org/asthma.

Parents can also make sure their children are equipped for success this school year by following these important Lung Association recommendations:

1. Visit your child’s doctor prior to the start of the school year. Parents can help children stay in control of their asthma by visiting the child’s healthcare provider prior to the start of the school year. Be sure to review your child’s vaccination record and asthma treatment plan, including the child’s ability to keep track of and self-administer their asthma medicines, as well as any potential risk of complications from respiratory illnesses like COVID-19, flu, or pertussis.

2. Teach your child how to self-administer their inhaler. For a child who is struggling to breathe, having to make the trip from the classroom to the school’s health room can use up precious time. After using the Student Readiness Assessment Tool to determine if your child is ready to carry and use a quick-relief inhaler on their own at school, visit their healthcare provider and ensure your child has had plenty of practice using their inhaler.

3. Prepare your child’s asthma care team. Make sure your child’s teachers, counselors, and coaches are prepared for the school year. Share your child’s Asthma Action Plan, along with the appropriate back-up medications, with your child’s care team. You should also familiarize yourself with the policies and practices your child’s school has in place to be sure you understand how asthma medicines are stored and accessed if your child has symptoms at school.

4. Talk to your child about smoking and vaping. Smoking and vaping can be extremely dangerous for an asthmatic child’s lungs, as the irritation of the child’s airways can make asthma attacks more frequent and more severe. Have a conversation with your child about these dangers – the American Lung Association’s Vape Talk page is a great resource for parents to learn more about how to talk to teens about vaping and the pressure that surrounds it.

To request an interview with a representative from the American Lung Association, please contact Janye Killelea via email at Janye.Killelea@Lung.org or call (312) 940-7624.