Summer’s winding down and it is time to go back to school. With type 1 diabetes (T1D), back to school preparation is about more than getting your school supplies in order. It is also about making sure that the teachers and educators are aware of what to do in case of high or low blood sugar and how to respond in case of an emergency. There are checklists to be shared with the diabetes care team at school and conversations to be had with teachers, nurses and other students about T1D.

While this can be overwhelming, know that you have help at hand. With our new back to school resources, you’ll find information that parents and caregivers will find useful, such as a back to school checklist, information about 504 plans and a quick start guide to living independently with T1D. Teachers and educators will benefit from resources such as how to support your student with T1D and an introduction to T1D from the point of view of student. We also have infographics on hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) that outline the causes, symptoms and treatments so teachers can make sure that the students stay healthy and safe when they’re at school. And parents and caregivers can have the much needed peace of mind.

We spoke with Gloria Garrick, whose daughter Jordan was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when she was 14 years old. Jordan is now a senior at UNC Chapel Hill and living independently with T1D. When Jordan was diagnosed with T1D, it was naturally a challenging time for her and her family. As a parent, Gloria was herself learning about T1D and she wanted to make sure that when Jordan is away from home, at school, she’s safe and that her teachers have all the support and information that they need about T1D and its complications. Gloria’s message for all parents who are sending their children back to school is – be prepared, stay positive and trust your instincts!

Find the JDRF back to school resources here.