Understanding emotional and psychological considerations of children with diabetes: tips for school nurses

Any chronic illness in children is worrisome to parents who must transfer the care and safety of their children to others while the children are at school. Children, too, may have many concerns, including fear of failure, not wanting to be different from peers and needing to navigate the normal developmental issues of childhood and adolescence. When the illness is diabetes with its unrelenting regimen, it is critical that school personnel have an understanding of the issues involved so that they are in a position to help the child attain optimal health. This article is designed to foster understanding of the emotional and psychological issues children with diabetes and their parents face, so that school nurses and other personnel can better assist these students in the school setting.