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Medical Video: Both Types of Diabetes Rising in Kids
Hiding diabetes is not only dangerous, it is also psychologically unhealthy and may show a form of rejection or shame. A child who is not ready to tell his friend about the diabetes he is suffering from may have low self-confidence. Although they want to respect the desires and privacy of children, parents should help their children notify their diabetic diagnosis to their close friends, related school staff, and those who help care for children, to ensure a safe environment.
One reason children want to avoid telling their friends is fear of being ridiculed or shunned. Fortunately, ridicule is rare. If ridicule is a problem, the child may need specific tips and support in handling the situation.
Your family, your child's school, and your child diabetes team can support and help your child talk with their friends and face their reactions. You can talk to the parents of your child's friends and help your child feel more confident. The school can explain to classmates that diabetes is not contagious, and children with diabetes are no different from other children and can continue to enjoy games and activities as before. Social workers or counselors are usually experienced in dealing with this problem, being aware of different children's backgrounds, personal experiences, and family dynamics.
What should your child say to his classmates?
It's hard for children to know how and when to tell classmates. Other children may feel scared too. Tell them that diabetes is not contagious. If people want to know more or your child wants to tell more, he can say that diabetes is a condition where the body needs help to make energy from its food. He needs to use insulin injection because his body stops making insulin itself. He can involve his friend in his diabetes routine, if they want to learn and if your child feels comfortable showing it.
Your child may even want to make a presentation or project related to diabetes.
Most children choose an open and factual approach. Some make presentations about diabetes in class as part of biology lessons is one good way to explain it to classmates. Some other children choose to share their experiences and knowledge as part of a speech or scientific project. Most classmates are curious and amazed by friends who dare to survive to be injected every day and stabbed in the finger.
But not all children are comfortable with this approach. Some children were hesitant to discuss diabetes they suffered with friends who were not too familiar. They prefer to share information only with school staff and close friends, people they need to support. For safety, your child's family of friends should know about diabetes, routine needs, and even signs and symptoms of low blood sugar reactions.
