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With good asthma control, your child should not miss school and should be able to participate fully in school activities including sports.

Regular, clear communication with the school can help your child maintain good asthma control. You can help to prevent asthma problems at school by talking to your child’s teachers and by making sure you child has proper asthma treatment.

Meet with your child’s teachers each year before classes start

• Give teachers a copy of your child’s asthma action plan and explain what it says.
• List and explain your child’s asthma triggers and why it’s important to avoid them. (Some common triggers in the classroom include furry animals, dust, mould and strong smells.)
• Show teachers your child’s asthma medicines and how to use them properly – make sure the medicines are well labelled.
• Make sure the teachers know which medicine is the rescue medicine that helps in an asthma emergency (usually the blue inhaler).
• Ask about the school’s rules about asthma medicines – stress the importance of allowing your child to carry his medicines with him at all times.
• Ask about policies for field trips – with a bit of extra planning most trips should be safe.
• Offer to arrange an information session with a Certified Asthma Educator or Certified Respiratory Educator.
• Make sure your child’s teachers know what to do in an emergency and whom to contact

What to do in an asthma attack Sit child down, with her back straight. Give child 2 puffs of her rescue medicine. It’s usually in a blue puffer (for example, Ventolin®). If the child’s breathing is not getting easier, call 911 or your local emergency number. Keep giving child puffs of her rescue medicine until the ambulance arrives. Call the child’s parents or emergency contact person.