Eight Conversations to Have That Are Important for My Child's Asthma Care

When to discuss: Prior to the start of the school year or with any medicine changes.

Key points to cover

Some of the key points you’ll cover should include the type of asthma, possible tests and medications to use, asthma device technique, types of triggers, what signs and symptoms to look for and when to seek medical attention. 

Additional Resources to prepare you: 

• Questions to Ask your Doctor about Asthma
• Getting Ready for your Next Office visit
• Asthma Action Plan for Home and School 

When to discuss: Prior to the start of the school year.

Key points to cover

Some of the key points you’ll cover should include protocols and procedures related to caring for your child’s asthma when symptoms or breathing emergencies occur, use of asthma action plan, carrying their own inhaler, environmental trigger identification and mitigation plans. 

Additional Resources to prepare you: 

• Asthma at School Checklist
• Back to School with Healthy Lungs
• Improving Asthma Management in Schools
• Asthma Action Plan for Home and School
• Responding to Asthma Emergencies in Schools
• Clean Air Schools Challenge
• Understanding your Medications
• How to use Asthma Medicine Devices 
• Why should Schools Stock Albuterol
• Student Readiness Assessment Tool

When to discuss: Prior to the start of the school year.

Key points to cover

Some of the key points you’ll cover should include education and training for staff around asthma education and policies to create an asthma-friendly school, including tobacco-free buildings and school grounds. 

Additional Resources to prepare you: 

• Practical Guidance for Schools and School Districts
• Improving Asthma Management in Schools
• Asthma Basics Online course (Free)
• Top 5 Ways School Staff Can Support an Asthma-friendly School
• Strategy 3: Provide a Healthy School Environment

When to discuss: Prior to the school year or within 2 weeks of the start of the school year. 

Key points to cover

Some of the key points you’ll cover should include education and training for staff to be able to identify and act when signs or symptoms occur in your child and identifying triggers at school. 

Additional Resources to prepare you: 

• Asthma Basics Online course (Free)
• Asthma Action Plan for Home and School
• First Aid for Asthma
• Responding to Asthma Emergencies in Schools
• Top 5 Ways School Staff Can Support an Asthma-friendly School

When to discuss: Prior to the school year or within 2 weeks of the start of the school year. 

Key points to cover

Some of the key points you’ll cover should include education and training for staff to be able to identify and act when signs or symptoms occur in your child, identifying triggers and executing an asthma action plan. 

Resources to prepare you: 

• Asthma Basics Online course (Free)
• Asthma Action Plan for Home and School
• First Aid for Asthma
• Responding to Asthma Emergencies in Schools

When to discuss: Prior to participating in any extracurricular athletics or activities. 

Key points to cover

Some of the key points you’ll cover should include education and training for staff to be able to identify and act when signs or symptoms occur in your child, identifying triggers, executing an asthma action plan and knowing how to handle poor air quality days. 

Resources to prepare you: 

• Asthma Basics Online course (Free)
• Asthma Action Plan for Home and School
• First Aid for Asthma
• Responding to Asthma Emergencies in Schools
• Athletes and Asthma: The Community Coach’s Role

When to discuss: Prior to the school year.

Key points to cover

Some of the key points you’ll cover should include education and training for staff to be able to identify and act when signs or symptoms occur in your child, identifying triggers and executing an asthma action plan. 

Resources to prepare you: 

• Asthma Basics Online course (Free)
• Asthma Action Plan for Home and School
• First Aid for Asthma
• Responding to Asthma Emergencies in Schools

Other students, friends of the family, extended family members, more eyes and ears to help 

When to discuss: Prior to the school year and during the school year.

Key points to cover

Some of the key points you’ll cover should include education and training for friends or family to be able to identify and act when signs or symptoms occur in your child, identifying triggers and following an asthma action plan.

Resources to prepare you: 

• Asthma Basics Online course (Free)
• Asthma Action Plan for Home and School
• First Aid for Asthma