How Do You Help A Child With Asthma?
Families must make certain adaptations when their children suffer with asthma. An asthmatic child faces unique psychosocial pressures and physical limitations. As a parent, you want to protect your youngster while still allowing him his independence. Educate your child about asthma. Teach him to identify his “triggers” and how to avoid them, and to use his inhaler when he feels wheezy. Teach him how to purse-lip breathe and how to breathe from his diaphragm. (See “How to Control Asthma Symptoms.”) Eliminate triggers from his environment, including dust, cold air, pet dander and cigarette smoke. Provide his teacher and school nurse with a set of guidelines concerning when your child is to be sent home and when you are to be called. Give them your doctor’s phone number and clear instructions on how they should proceed if your child develops an asthma attack. Ask them to keep classrooms as free from triggers (like chalk dust) as possible. Have your child dress warmly and take the school b
