Major
English
Advisor
Dr. John Boulmetis
Advisor Department
Education
Date
2013
Keywords
Type I Diabetes, Nursing, Education, Accommodation, Diagnosis, Elementary, autoimmune, blood glucose, hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia
Abstract
Type I Diabetes in children has become a major critical disease in today’s elementary schools. The statistics reveal that “there are 25.8 million people in the United States, or 8.3% of the population, who have diabetes” (American Diabetes Association, 1). It is estimated that of those with Type I “only 5% of people with diabetes have this form of the disease” (ADA, 1). The problem is increasing among students at younger ages each and every year. Currently, students are being diagnosed with this autoimmune disease as early as four years of age. The American Diabetes Association states that “about 1 in every 400 children and adolescents has diabetes” (ADA, 1). Given this information, an increased number of elementary aged students
will be managing Type I Diabetes at a younger age. Because of this growing number of students who will be diagnosed with Type I Diabetes, it is, therefore, imperative that school administrators, school nurses, and elementary school teachers know and understand the signs and symptoms of hyperglycemia (high blood glucose) and hypoglycemia (low blood glucose) for this population of students. The severity of this illness may not only impact the student’s heath, but also their current demeanor and academic success.