1. DIABETES
BY: SABRINA DUGAN
CLASS: HEALTH, SAFETY, AND
NUTRITION FOR YOUNG
CHILDREN
EEC 4731
DATE: 1.30.2012

2. What is Diabetes?
 Diabetes is a lifelong, incurable disease. Diabetics
have high levels of sugar (hyperglycemia) in their
blood and their pancreas either produces little or
no insulin (a hormone) at all.
 Diabetes has three Types:
1. Type 1: most common in children.
2. Type 2: most common in adults.
3. Gestinational Diabetes: diabetes that develops
during pregnancy.
 Genetics can play a factor that leads to diabetes.

3. Type 1 Diabetes
 Type 1 is usually diagnosed in children and young
adults. The body does not produce any insulin in
this case.
 In most cases, it is genetically present in kids,
however, childhood obesity triggers risks of
developing diabetes.
 People with Type 1 diabetes usually inject insulin in
their bodies several times a day. People with
diabetes also seek insulin therapy and other
treatments to manage their condition.

4. Type 2
 The most common type of diabetes is type 2
diabetes. It is more common in the aged
population and certain races such as African
Americans, Latin Americans, and Asian
Americans, etc.
 In Type 2 diabetes, the body does not produce
adequate insulin. Type 2 diabetics

5. Symptoms of Type 1 and Type
2
 Diabetes often is undiagnosed because of the
harmless symptoms such as:
1. Frequent urination.
2. Rapid weight loss.
3. Extreme hunger and thirst.
4. Fatigue and irritability.
 Type 2 diabetics usually suffer from blurred
vision and tingling and numbness, etc.

6. Effective Treatment
 Because Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes is
incurable, it should be controlled to develop
future complications.
 Some treatments include:
• Insulin therapy
• Insulin Injections
• Dietary changes
• Daily exercise
• Monitor blood sugar.

7. Teacher Modifications
 Diabetes in children effects the child in many
ways. As a teacher, it is important to understand
and support kids with diabetes and it is important
to educate yourself about the disease and its
symptoms.
 If students are using insulin injections, then they
have to manage their diabetes 24 hours a day.
 Teachers can help students by preparing them
and providing them with diabetes care.
 Teachers can experiment with snack time and
make sure that the child‟s current diet meets his
or her current needs.

8. Teacher Modifications cont‟d
 Teachers can make kids feel more confident in
school and not exclude kids from activities.
 Teachers can educate themselves about
insulin injections and how to administer it.
 Teachers can incorporate more physical
activity in the classrooms and give students
sugar free snacks.
 Teachers can create more awareness about
the seriousness of diabetes.

9. How would I address the issue?
 As a future educator, I would work
together with school staff to target all
the challenges arising in class .
 I would follow the „People-first
language‟ rule, tweak it and educate
staff and children about addressing kids
with diabetes, for example: I would
teach them that addressing someone by
saying, “He‟s diabetic” is not
appropriate because the illness does
not define a person.
 I would incorporate lessons into the
curriculum that would create awareness
in the class about diabetes.

10. How would I address the issue?
Cont‟d
 I would inform parents about the chronic
disease and ask them to bring sugar-free
snacks to school.
 I would not make the student feel excluded in
the classroom, instead I would build his or her
confidence and treat him or her equally.
 I would attend seminars and workshops that
deal with working with kids with diabetes.
 I would educate myself about all the available
resources and treatments out there.

11. References
 Marotz, L.R., Cross, M.Z., & Rush, J.M. (7th
Edition) “Health, Safety & Nutrition for the Young
Child.” Albany, NY: Delmar. Print.
 "Symptoms - American Diabetes Association."
American Diabetes Association Home Page -
American Diabetes Association. Web. 29 Jan.
2012. <http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-
basics/symptoms/?__utma=1.220873443.132788
4791.1327884791.1327884791.1>.
 "What Is Diabetes? What Causes Diabetes?"
Medical News Today: Health News. Web. 29 Jan.
2012.
<http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/info/diabetes/
>.