to think school staff should be more "asthma-aware"

[Cadelaide]

Last Tuesday DD, 9, felt the onset of symptoms whilst running about at playtime. She complained to a playground assistant, saying that she felt "asthma-y" and was told to "go and get a drink of water".

She has been off school since with a cold and asthma, and I was very worried about sending her back today.

I have grilled her about what to do if she feels unwell (ie persist in complaining to an adult) but in the light of the recent tragic case of the poor boy who died at school I wonder whether staff are ignorant of the risks?

YANBU - as the mother of an asthmatic I am shocked at how little the teachers know about this condition.

I'm sure most people just think "oh, he's asthmatic, that means he'll cough a bit and have to take his inhaler"

asthma can and does kill. It is the most nasty illness I can think of and we all need to be better informed about it.

YANBU

We've just been through something very similar with 6-yr-old ds2 despite all the teachers and LSAs being aware of his asthma and the protocol to follow - it's on the wall of his classroom, the staffroom and the medical room.

Our school is good with things like this. When my ds started school they were the ones who suggested getting a spare inhaler to keep in school so that there would always be one available for him to use. In the situation described in the OP the procedure would be that the assistant would have sent the child (probably with a friend) to the First Aider to be seen immediately.

It's worth asking the school what their policy is for asthma attacks. It may be that the staff member involved needs a refresher course in first aid or even reminding what the school policy is.

Hope your dd is feeling better asap.

YANBU -My DS was told to wait for the bell to get his inhalor (5+ minutes away) a few days after returning to school from a 4 day admission to hospital.

www.alexcurtistrust.org

we visit schools and talk about asthma management, to staff and pupils.

I've just ordered some of these to give to school and also any clubs where DD spends time away from me. The recent case of the poor boy totally shocked me and I'm going to me much more proactive at making sure that anyone looking after DD knows what to do (as much for their sake as hers IYKWIM).

I need to go in and talk to the head teacher I think.

Thank you for that bridewold

thanks bridewolf and goldenticket