Conflict between 100% attendance and care of chronically ill children, specifically asthma.

[ksld]

Any other parents of children with asthma can you come and talk to me about the care your child's school is able to provide?
DS has days off school where he is fit and well enough to be in school, but only if given his reliever inhaler a few times. DS can administer this himself but needs reminding to do it, and feels embarrassed in front of his friends, so needs somewhere quiet so everyone is not staring at him. School are unable to provide this level of care.
I also feel concerned that given school are unable to provide care when I know DS needs his reliever inhaler, that they will not provide the care needed should DS have an asthma attack at school.
Any schools with a more inclusive way of caring for children with asthma? Who provides the care where needed?

How old is your DS?
DSs (age 5) school are quite good about his inhaler. e.g. when he goes on school trips they have made sure that his inhaler and spacer that is kept at school is bagged up ready to take with his group leader. He will be in a group where the leader is confident in helping him take it if needed. He has pollen as a trigger so they keep a close eye in the summer when they are doing out door work to check he is ok.

Is this secondary? DS1's (7) school has a reliever inhaler in the office for him. If I feel he might need it during the day I send a note to the teacher asking them to remind DS1 to go to the office.

They do just follow the prescription (2 puffs) so if I think he needs more I keep him off school or pop down and give him extra. I asked the doc if he could have a higher number of puffs on the prescription but he said if he needs more, I should be doing it. Happy with that.

Trying to encourage DS1 to be more pro-active about telling teachers/assistants when he needs the inhaler, but like your son he feels a bit embarrassed and doesn't like to draw attention to it. But I'm happy with the care he gets between me and the school and have never been made to feel it was a problem.

It sounds like your son's school is making life unnecessarily difficult for you both.

Whoops realised you posted in primary education

Schools should have a Medicines Management Policy that includes asthma inhalers - ask to see it and discuss your child's management with his teacher, and involve the school nurse if needed. (The SN may well not be based in school but have a central base where she can be contacted; the school can give you their number).

Having said that if your son is having a fair few days where he needs his blue (reliever) inhaler at least once a day, then it would suggest his overall asthma control isn't great and should be reviewed.