Skip to main content

Type 1 Diabetes: Your Child's Role in Care

Overview

Children with type 1 diabetes can and should take part in their treatment. As children get older and more experienced with the disease, they can participate more in their treatment.

  • Toddlers and preschool-aged children usually can't do tasks for diabetes care, such as giving insulin or checking blood sugar. But as they get older, they typically can help with these tasks.
  • Children in elementary school can help with all tasks required for their care. With supervision, many children can test their blood sugar level.
  • Children in middle school should be able to test their own blood sugar level. Some children can give insulin shots as long as this happens with supervision.
  • Teens should be able to handle their own care with appropriate supervision. Teens may choose to use an insulin pump instead of shots. If they use a pump, they still need supervision from adults.

Credits

Current as of: April 30, 2024

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff
Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.

Current as of: April 30, 2024

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff

Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.

 

PeaceHealth endeavors to provide comprehensive health care information, however some topics in this database describe services and procedures not offered by our providers or within our facilities because they do not comply with, nor are they condoned by, the ethics policies of our organization.