By: Heather Boyd

An estimated 20 million people and children in the United States have Asthma and,

This health problem is the reason for nearly 500,000 hospital stays each year.

People with asthma can be of any race, age or sex. Its treatment costs billions of dollars each year.

(Asthma and Allergy foundation of America, 2005)

• Most common reason for a student to regress academically are absences from school.

• Chronic medical illness have an impact on development by interfering with a child’s ability to participate in normal age-appropriate activities or attaining common age-related competencies.

• These absences occur because of hospitalization, frequent medical appointments, time spent on treatments, side effects of medication, fatigue, physical constrains, and activity restrictions, and occasionally, fears, and parental overprotectiveness.

•Asthma is a disease in which the lung’s airways become blocked or narrowed.

•Asthma can cause shortness of breath, breathing trouble, and other symptoms.

•Asthma is not contagious in any shape or form, and

•Asthma has a genetic origin, children may be born with the disease

Allergic Asthma• The most common form of asthma. • Symptoms triggered by an allergic reaction • Symptoms include coughing, sneezing, wheezing, shortness of breath or

rapid breathing, and chest tightness. • Allergic asthma is triggered by inhaling allergens such as dust mites, pet

dander, pollens, and mold.

Non-Allergic Asthma • Symptoms triggered by factors non related allergies• Many of the symptoms are the same• Non-allergic asthma is triggered by other factors such as anxiety, stress,

exercise, cold air, dry air, hyperventilation, smoke viruses or other irritants.

• Breathing doesn’t become easier within 5 minutes after inhaling the medication.

• Skin color – may become pale or gray. Lips may lose color or fingernails may look slightly blue. Dark circles may form around the eyes.

• Talking – the child may become very agitated, talking in single words only.

• Wheezing – is louder and longer. Sometimes, wheezing may disappear altogether.

• Steps to take if you notice any one of these symptoms: call 911 for emergency assistance and call the parents

•Chalk dust•Dry erase markers•Paints and glues•Strong odors, such as perfumes or room deodorizers•Chemicals from science or art projects•Upholstered furniture•Rug mats or nap pads•Classroom pets or visiting furry animals(Allergy and Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics, 2008)

Effective asthma management can lead to the following positive results:•A supportive learning environment for students with asthma.•Reduced absences—students have fewer episodes and symptoms are treated earlier.•Reduced disruption in the classroom— students have fewer symptoms when they adhere to their asthma action plan.•Appropriate emergency care—school staff members know how to respond to emergencies.• Full student participation in physical activities—physical education (PE) instructors and coaches know how to prevent exercise induced asthma.

• Each child and family is unique and culturally diverse, therefore we need to consider the different dynamics and situations these children and their families are experiencing.

• Asthma affects each student in a different way. Some students react when they inhale or touch things to which they are allergic.

• Others cough when the air is full of irritants e.g. strong odors. Still others find it hard to breathe during exercise.

• Asthma symptoms can develop rapidly within minutes, or gradually, over hours or even days.

• The irritation from the animal dander could grow slowly, turning into breathing problems that keep the child up half the night.

Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA). (2005). What is Asthma. Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America Web. Retrieved June 20, 2008 from http://www.aafa.org/display.cfm?id=8&cont=5

American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. (2008). Back to school interactive game. American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Web. Retrieved July 6, 2008 from http://www.aaaai.org/patients/just4kids/back_to_school/key.htm

Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA). (2005). Treatment. Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America Web. Retrieved June 20, 2008 from http://www.aafa.org/display.cfm?id=8&cont=8

Allergy and Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics. (2008). Indoor Air Repair At School: Helping Parents, Students and Teachers Breathe Easier. Allergy and Asthma Network Web. Retrieved August 20, 2008 from http://www.aanma.org/pdf/AIRepairSchoolNL.pdf

US Department of Health and Human Services & US Department of Education. (2003). National Asthma Education and Prevention Program: Managing Asthma A Guide for Schools. USA: NIH Publication

Rollins, J., Bolig, R., & Mahan, C. (2005). Meeting children’s psychosocial needs across the health-care continuum. Austin, TX: Proed An International Publisher.

Student Asthma Action Card from http://www.aafa.org/pdfs/AsthmaActionCardstudent.pdf Picture of Child with Asthma from http://www.wildchildonline.com/content/parentCentre/child-asthma-print-version-.gif

Picture of medication: pills, powder inhaler, inhaler from http://www.9point87.com/lumina/Images/42-16116489.jpg%20asthma%20medication.jpg

Child using spacer with inhaler picture from http://blog.nj.com/ledgerupdates/large_chronicL.jpg

Nebulizer mask picture from http://www.allergyasthmatech.com/ProdImages/N8000m.jpg

Picture of an Epi-pen from http://blog.moniqueandbenoit.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/epipen.jpg