Best interests of students with diabetes lost in the bureaucracy
Organizations involved need to align their efforts to help kids, says Deanna Emberg.
On May 10, Marie Renaud, MLA for St. Albert, rose in the legislature to raise questions about lack of supports for children with diabetes at school. The minister for Education responded with vague assurances that he has heard parent concerns and said the ministry is working to support these kids. Alberta is one of the last provinces in Canada to adopt a standard of care for children with Type 1 diabetes at school.
Type 1 diabetes is a condition where the pancreas is unable to produce insulin to regulate blood glucose. People living with diabetes engage in daily self-management practices that include a careful balance of measuring carbohydrate intake, frequent blood sugar monitoring, intensive insulin dosing and administration, and activity.
School-age children spend over 35 hours per week at school and children with Type 1 diabetes require support with daily management tasks to support both short-term and long-term health, development, and learning capabilities. Crucially, young school-age children need adults to help them with checking blood sugar and administering insulin to protect their health and ensure their inclusion in all school activities such as sports, special celebrations, and healthyeating programs.
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) recognizes children’s right to special care, attention, and protection. Children with Type 1 diabetes have special care needs that governments, school authorities, and health providers have responsibilities to support in school. The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child directs: Governments to make decisions in the best interests of the child; standards be established by competent authorities, particularly in the areas of health and training and competency of supervision and support; children with disabilities or health needs have a right to special care so they can live full lives; and services promote the best health outcomes and the right to education.
Recently I spoke with a group of families from all over Alberta about diabetes at school. Parents reported trouble communicating needs to principals, reluctance of schools to be involved with insulin administration and glucose monitoring, and unwillingness among teachers to address student behaviours related to fluctuations in blood sugar.
Education providers have told me that there is a lack of collaboration with health authorities when it comes to diabetes. School staff are nervous and unsure if they should take on these responsibilities: if they do liability and training questions need to be addressed.
For years, Diabetes Canada, the Canadian Paediatric Society, and parent advocates have asked Alberta to adopt a standard of care that aligns Diabetes Canada’s Guidelines for Children
Our current system does not promote best health outcomes for children with Type 1 diabetes.
Living with Diabetes at School. Despite Education Minister David Eggen’s assurances, students with diabetes and their families receive unequal support in the Alberta school system. The status quo leaves thousands of families negotiating care agreements with 63 school districts to get our kids’ needs met in school. Our experiences vary depending on our individual advocacy skills.
When it comes to diabetes at school, the best interests of children with diabetes are lost in the bureaucratic volley between the health system, the education system, and parents — leaving families with few choices and no power.
Poor diabetes management impacts learning, inclusion, and health. Our current system does not promote best health outcomes for children with Type 1 diabetes.
Everyone seems to agree that children with diabetes require special care and attention to manage their disease in school, but the Alberta government needs to work to align the efforts of Alberta Education, Alberta Health Services, school authorities, and families to get this right.