Awareness of Students with Diverse Learning Needs,
What the Teacher Needs to Know, Volume 1

Recognizing the Child with Diabetes

While most children with diabetes do not require undue attention, there are two types of diabetic emergencies which school personnel may face. These are encountered when the diabetic has a blood sugar level that is either too high or too low.

High Blood Sugar (Hyperglycemia)

Symptoms occur gradually over a period of hours or days and are caused by overeating, not enough insulin, stress, injury or undiagnosed diabetes.

The teacher may notice:

• thirst,
• frequent urination,
• flushed, dry skin,
• nausea and vomiting,
• laboured breathing,
• fruity odor to breath,
• drowsiness and confusion, and
• eventual unconsciousness.

Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycemia)

Symptoms, which may occur suddenly, are caused by too much insulin, delayed or skipped meals or more exercise than usual without extra food.

The teacher may notice:

• cold, clammy or sweaty skin,
• trembling, shaking hands,
• confusion or disorientation,
• irritability or hostility,
• lack of coordination, staggering,
• difficulty speaking, and
• eventual fainting or unconsciousness.

The child may feel:

• nervousness,
• excessive hunger,
• headache,
• blurry vision,
• dizziness, and
• abdominal pain or nausea.

Hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia can appear very similar. It is recommended that the teacher treat the child as if s/he has hypoglycemia. This will not harm the child in any way. High blood sugar can persist for many days before unconsciousness sets in. The real danger is low blood sugar. If unsure whether the child is having an insulin reaction, always give sugar.