A school based study on the impact of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus on the school life of children

Abstract

Type 1 diabetes mellitus is a chronic life threatening autoimmune disorder that can affect children of all ages. Being a student afflicted with type 1 diabetes in primary school, brings with it many risks, especially for those children who are still too young to self-manage their condition. Diabetes is not only a health problem. It can be a source of stress and difficulty as well, since it requires a new way of life, which young individuals might not always be able to cope with. Thus, those children who are diagnosed with diabetes might be affected negatively, in terms of how they feel about themselves, their relationship with others and their eating and physical activities. Moreover, it can also affect their academic achievements if not managed well. Nonetheless, the diabetic children are not the only ones who encounter challenges due to a new lifestyle; their parent(s)/guardian(s) might also find it difficult to re-create a new way of living, both for them and the diabetic children. Just like other every-day problems, diabetes does not have to serve as a detriment to the child’s holistic well-being, as long as it is managed in the proper manner. However, it is a fact that the condition does present many challenges until it is stabilized and the child gets used to the new situation. If not managed well, fluctuations in the blood sugar level, either high or low, can by time become a disability and can have serious impacts on a student’s social and personal life, and even her/his academic performance. A challenge that diabetic children have to face is the ongoing care during school hours. Failure to address the diabetic children’s needs is very often due to lack of accurate information about the proper management of the condition. Management of children with type 1 diabetes is dynamic and complex. Thus, it is imperative that all school personnel and adults who interact with diabetic children, be knowledgeable and understand how to assist a child with the management of her/his condition. According to Torpiano (2015), the Maltese fall in the fifth position of those living with diabetes in Europe. Hence, it is vital that the educational system takes an inclusive and proactive approach when dealing with diabetic children in order to ensure that they are given the necessary support to help them maintain equilibrium between their personal and academic development. The main aim of this study is to find out to what extent type 1 diabetes significantly interferes with the development of a child’s personal and social life, together with her/his academic skills. Importance is also going to be given to the quality of support that the diabetic children are currently receiving from adults, including their parent(s)/guardian(s), teachers and heads of schools.