Educators and parents must work together to develop appropriate strategies for the use of medication in the child care or school setting. A child’s medical condition and the drugs being used to treat it require good communication between parents, teachers, nurses, providers, counselors, and children.
By keeping good records of your child’s medical history, everything from immunizations to allergies, you will be prepared should she become seriously or chronically ill. Update your home health file regularly as you will need it again and again when enrolling your child in child care or summer programs. Take careful note of any medications that may have caused an adverse reaction.
Provide your child care provider or school nurse with the names and phone numbers of your child's health care professionals. For chronic conditions such as allergies, asthma, or diabetes, write down when the illness was first diagnosed, how it is being treated, and what drugs are being used for treatment. To help prevent a mix-up, be sure to write down any special instructions directly on the bottle, such as before or after meals, or with or without a drink. “Parents have a great deal of responsibility. Not only should they be knowledgeable about the drugs they give to their children at home, they need to consider how medication issues may affect others responsible for their children outside the home..." - Alan P. Agins, Ph.D.
Parents and school nurses or child care providers must develop a good system of communication with one another to know where medications are consistently kept, who has access to them and who administers them. Most questions about administering medications are best answered by the doctor or pharmacist but here are a few general guidelines you can keep in mind:
For each medication a child is using, schools and child care centers must ask the parent to fill out and sign a form before the child is dropped off for care. Design your form with the following in mind:
For medications taken on a long-term basis, schools and child care centers should know when to inform parents when medicines are low. A routine prescription refill can take as long as a week.
Recent research has shown that substances found in grapefruit juice can dramatically increase the potency of some medications. Other citrus juices can actually lessen the strength of certain drugs including some antibiotics.
It's a good idea to stick with water or a less acidic juice, such as apple, when giving medication. Stay away from milk too as it can cause adverse reactions with certain antibiotics. To be safe, ask your pediatrician or pharmacist about food and drug interactions before starting new prescriptions.
Parents and educators must be alert to any unusual symptoms as well as the impact of side effects on a child’s learning and behavior. Side effects can range from minimal to life threatening. So-called ‘minor’ side effects could be diarrhea, drowsiness or a rash. These are unpleasant but not intolerable.
Other side effects may warrant medical attention or at least a call to the doctor or health care provider. Symptoms to be aware of would include irregular heartbeat, protracted vomiting or diarrhea, fainting, extensive rash, seizures or convulsions, difficulty breathing, severe headaches, or yellowing of the skin or eyes. Be aware of the impact of medications and develop a critical awareness of what to look for.
Parent & Educators’ Drug Reference: A Guide to Common Medical conditions and Medications for Children By Alan P. Agins, Ph.D., Pharmacologist Published by PRN Press, Cranston, RI, This easy-to-use medication guide provides practical information on how various drugs work, their side effects, and how medications impact children’s education. Explanations are given for common medical conditions and treatments for children. Throughout the book are helpful tips, recommendations, and suggestions for both parents and teachers.
Child Health Talk Newsletter for parents published by the National Black Child Development Institute. Visit www.nbcdi.org.
Healthy Child Care America Newsletter by the American Academy of Pediatrics for health care professionals, child care providers and families. Visit www.aap.org.
Depression is a serious health problem that affects people of all ages, including children and adolescents. Depression is the persistent experience of a sad or irritable mood and the loss of interest or pleasure in nearly all activities. These feelings are accompanied by a range of additional symptoms, affecting appetite and sleep, activity level and concentration, and feelings of self-worth.
Clinical depression is more than just "feeling blue" or having a bad day. And it's different from the feelings of grief or sorrow that might follow a major loss, such as a death in the family. It's not a personal weakness or a character flaw. Individuals suffering from clinical depression cannot simply "snap out of it."
Depression is a form of mental illness that affects the whole body - it impacts the way one feels, thinks, and acts. Depression in children can lead to school failure, alcohol or other drug use, and even suicide.
If parents or other adults in a young person's life suspect a problem with depression, they should:
It is important for people who have questions about, or are not satisfied with, the mental health care they are receiving to discuss their concerns with the provider, ask for more information, and seek help from other sources.
Depression is treatable. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential for children with depression. Children who exhibit symptoms of depression should be referred to, and further evaluated by, a mental health professional who specializes in treating depression in children and adolescents. The diagnostic evaluation may include psychological testing, laboratory tests, and consultation with other specialists. A comprehensive treatment plan may include psychotherapy, ongoing evaluation and monitoring, and in some cases, psychiatric medication. Optimally, this plan is developed with the family, and whenever possible, the child or adolescent is involved in the decisions.
The National Mental Health Association is a proud sponsor of Childhood Depression Awareness Day, also known as Green Ribbon Day because of the ribbons symbolizing children’s mental health. The goal of Green Ribbon Day is to increase public awareness of childhood depression through a nationwide social marketing strategy, to help reduce the stigma and misinformation surrounding childhood depression, and to increase awareness of warning signs and treatment resources. Join us on May 09, 2000, Green Ribbon Day, and help bring the public’s attention to this very important subject. Established in 1909, the National Mental Health Association works to promote mental health, prevent mental disorders, and achieve victory over mental illnesses.
The Daily Parent is prepared by NACCRRA, the National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies.
© 2012 NACCRRA. All rights reserved.