Ask Our Team
My son is 10 years old (5th grade), diagnosed in August 08. Lately he has missed some school due to illness and keytones. How much school work is he expected to make up? It just keeps piling up, we never seem to get caught up!
Responses
Alicia H. McAuliffe-Fogarty says
This is something that you need to sit down and discuss with your child's teachers and principal. If you have not already done so, requesting a meeting with the school for a 504 Plan for your child would help. This plan could outline how he can make up the work as well as some school supports to help him do so. In addition, you should keep in close contact with your son's diabetes team when he is not feeling good, so they can help him manage his diabetes while sick and get him back to school sooner
Lisa Bolduc-Bissell says
Dealing with illnesses in a child with diabetes can be more difficult than not given the potential for high blood glucose levels and/or ketones. And, as you mentioned, it can mean more missed days from school. However, although it is ultimately the teacher and school's decision, I think that he should make up all of the school work missed, just as any other child would be expected to do. Unfortunately, diabetes is too often used as a get-out-of jail free card, and we need to be very careful about sending this message.
