My son was diagnosed 6 weeks ago with type 1, and I immediately requested a 504 plan. I was assured it wouldn't be a problem, but since then I have only gotten the run around. They had me get a care plan filled out by the pediatrition then decided it had to be filled out by the endocrinologist, then they told me they had to have a letter from the pediatrition. He can't have his test kit in the office until he gets the 504, so I have to go in to his school at lunch with it and his insulin. It seems to be getting worse, at first he could have snacks as needed, but yesterday his teacher said he needed to wait until after school (and this was after PE when he needed it) and he was at 60 when I picked him up! I'm at the end of my rope. Does anyone have any suggestions?

hishara,

I'm so sorry to hear you are having problem with your son's school, but you need to be assertive when speaking to the school. Your son has a right to have his kit there at the school. It's called a medical plan with the school nurse. You demand he eats a snack at certain times of the day. No if's and or buts about it. Schools are not educated about Diabetes therefore, you must educate and demand. He is protected under the Diabetes ACT please go to childrenwithDiabetes.com/504 It will explain about 504 plans and your rights as a partent and your childrens rights. Don't take no for an answer from them. School want you to think you are powerless, but don't be fooled. You have more power than you think or made to beleive. Call the Board of Education where you live and talk to someone right away about what is taking place at your sons school. Also, check out several daibetes websites that can help you with the law and 504 plans. We've all been there and have learned a great deal. Demand your sons has to have a snack at certain times of the day and put it in writing. Make sure you contact the Board of Education - Pupil Services (it could be called something else in your county)in your county and speak to them about what is taking place in your school with your son. Don't take "no" for an answer - this is your child, not theirs. You have to be firm. Don't let that teacher tell you what needs to happen with your son. You take the bull by the horns and put everything in writing. I hope everything works out and let me know if I can assist. Good luck and take care.

You may also want to talk to your local chapter of JDRF, they offered to advocate for us and help get one in place if we needed it.
Good luck!

The ADA has a discrimination package that you can request. If you can reach someone in your local office they may be able to help expidite this, but they have several experts that can help you negotiate with the schools, and remind the school of the laws put into place by the Americans with Disability act.

https://stage.diabetes.org/advocacy-and ... school.jsp

Another resource is www.childrenwithdiabetes.com
There are forums there with several parents who work with the ADA and are advocates for the ADA, as well as many people who have fought a similar battle to what you are going through now. I am so sorry. This must be so scary for you and your son, and it is very wrong of the school.

If you can't get quick action through the ADA, I would suggest getting an attorney and following his or her advice.

Thanks so much for the advice- I checked out the children with diabetes site and I'm going to call JDRF tomorrow. I'm feeling much more opptomistic about things now! I was at his school 5 times today because of testing needs!

Good luck and don't let anyone at your school give you the run around. It's the law.

It's not a luxury for the son to have a snack for low blood sugars. In fact, keep documentation of when he had a known low and the school failed to let him treat it. When my daughter was diagosed at 2 years ago at age 9, the school did not want her to start school until she was more stable. Unfortunately, I had to force the issue and threaten legal action. She did indeed start school, and I had meetings with school personnel to discuss her treatment plan. It's ok to be assertive to protect your child.

PS, I don't know how old your son is, but hopefully soon he can start checking his own blood sugars. My daughter has done it since the beginning, and checks freely whenever she needs to (she carries a slingbag). I hope things smooth out soon.

Good luck, and keep up the advocacy for your child! We've been (ARE!) in your shoes as well. As soon as I got in touch with our local ADA office and got support and encouragement and guidance on our advocacy things really turned around for our son's situation.
While it is not a perfect situation and we still have to remind people or step in, just becoming more aware of his RIGHTS has empowered us to not allow them to give us the run-around.
The new nurse tried to give me the run-around on his 504 Plan, and even tried to mock us for referencing "504" instead of what she calls the "HCP - Health Care Plan." I was so glad to have the knowledge to take the reigns back from her attempt to seize them.
As a result, a major piece of advise I give is to MAKE SURE you INSIST on using the 504 Plan that ADA has a sample of on their website. If they insist on another HCP of some kind, make sure to insist that the 504 is another piece of your child's plan. You would be surprised at how much additional and important information you will give about your child because of the little information they request on their official forms.
I would also recommend you insist that all teachers and staff that will have contact with your child attend an education session, whether that be by you, or even better a Diabetes Educator and Advocate that you can find through ADA or JDRF. There's something about school staff knowing you have provided them with NO EXCUSES education, and having legal advocacy on your side!
Best wishes!

The meeting is this afternoon! I've printed out the samples and plenty of sites refrencing how these are typical modifications to diabetics. I'm a little nervous about it, but I'm hoping it'll turn out okay. Thanks for all the support!

It went better than I expected. I went in prepared and could answer every question and back it up with proof, thanks to the websites and tips above! Thanks again everyone!