Navigating the Psychosocial Impacts of T1D on Children During Quarantine

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Becky Lois PhD

During a recent JDRF Facebook Live event, Becky Lois, Ph.D., discussed how parents can help childrenā€”or themselvesā€”cope with the psychosocial challenges of living with T1D during quarantine.

Dr. Lois is the Pediatric Psychology Director, Integrated Behavioral Health Programs, as well as an Associate Professor of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital at NYU Langone.

ā€œThere are so many aspects [to living with T1D] that are behavioral, and family, and friend, and school and work-relatedā€ said Dr. Lois. ā€œIā€™m really just looking forward to being able to discuss with you all how kids and their parents living with diabetes during this incredibly challenging time are managing.ā€

Dr. Lois addressed a variety of topics in response to audience questions, including:

  • Tips for parents of newly diagnosed children
  • Helping pre-teens and teens suffering from a lack of in-person interaction with peers and friends
  • Giving teens with T1D more space and empowering them to more independently manage their T1D
  • Recognizing burnout in children
  • Identifying diabetes fatigue and maintaining motivation for diabetes care during this time of social isolation
  • Helping ease childrenā€™s anxiety about parents returning to work in an office (outside the home)
  • How parents of T1D children should view blood glucose numbers
  • Assessing at what age children with T1D should start therapy

NYU Langone Health has compiled additional resources to help parents navigate psychosocial challenges associated with COVID-19.

Watch the full, recorded live stream below: