Navigating School Health Care Plans and Accommodations for Asthma and Allergies
Asthma and allergies are very common among school children. Many schools have plans in place to manage these conditions. But each school is different and each child’s needs are different. By building a partnership with your child’s school, you and the school staff can set up a healthy and successful learning environment for your student.
In this episode, we discuss school health care plans and accommodations for asthma and allergies at school with Adrianna Del Principe, JD.
We talk about:
- How the Americans with Disabilities (ADA) Act applies to asthma and allergies
- The different types of school health care plans including emergency care plans, individual health care plans, and Section 504 plans
- Transitioning from parental advocacy to self-advocacy for students entering college
- What to do if you encounter issues or challenges with schools
- How to advocate for your child or self in this process
(00:00) Introduction to school accommodations and legal rights
(1:16) What is the ADA and how it protects students with disabilities
(2:05) Are asthma and allergies considered disabilities under the ADA
(3:54) Types of school health care plans
(5:27) How to start the process for a Section 504 Plan in schools
(7:19) The collaborative process of developing accommodations
(8:23) Renewing and updating health care plans annually
(11:47) Accommodations in college
(14:02) What to do if facing challenges with school accommodations
(15:42) Recent changes in the Department of Education
(18:08) Resources for parents and caregivers
Resources:
- Asthma, Allergies, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
- School Health Care Plans for Your Child with Food Allergies
- School Planning Resources for Parents
- School Forms for Food Allergies
- AAFA Online Support Community for People with Asthma and Allergies
- Kids with Food Allergies Online Support Community
- Find an Allergist
Dr. Demain is the Founder, of the Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Center of Alaska; Clinical Professor, at the University of Washington School of Medicine; Adjunct Professor, at the University of Alaska; and the Founder, of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, Alaska Chapter. He is a member of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America’s Medical Scientific Council.
Disclosure: This episode was produced by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America and made possible in part by support from American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology. Its contents are solely the responsibility of AAFA and the guest speakers, and do not necessarily represent the official views of the sponsors.
