Asthma Information
Actions for the Classroom Teacher
Actions for the Physical Education Instructor and Coach
Resources Available to Schools to Help Manage Asthma
Actions for the Classroom Teacher
- Know the early warning signs of an asthma episode.
- Have a copy of the asthma action plan in the classroom. Review it with the student and parents. Know what steps to take in case of an asthma episode.
- Develop a clear procedure with the student and parent for handling schoolwork missed due to asthma.
- Understand that a student with asthma may feel:
- drowsy or tired,
- different from the other kids,
- anxious about access to medication,
- embarrassed about disruption to
- school activities that an asthma episode causes, and/or withdrawn.
- Help the student feel more comfortable by recognizing these feelings. Try to maintain confidentiality. Educate classmates about asthma so they will be more understanding.
- Know the possible side effects of asthma medications and how they may impact the student's performance in the classroom. Refer any problem to the school nurse and parent(s). Common side effects of medicine that warrant referral are nervousness, nausea, jitteriness, hyperactivity, and drowsiness.
- Reduce known allergens in the classroom to help students who have allergies. Common allergens found in classrooms include chalk dust, animals, and strong odors (perfumes, paints.)
- Encourage the student with asthma to participate fully in physical activities.
- Allow a student to engage in quiet activity if recovery from an acute episode precludes full participation.
Source: Managing Asthma: A Guide for Schools. National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI), National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the Fund for the Improvement and Reform of Schools and Teaching, Office of Educational Research and Improvement (OERI), U.S. Department of Education, September 1991. NIH Publication
No. 91-2650.
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Actions for the Physical Education Instructor and Coach
- Encourage exercise and participation in sports for students with asthma. When asthma is under good control, students with the disease are able to play most sports. A number of Olympic medalists have asthma.
- Appreciate that exercise can cause acute episodes for many students with asthma. Exercise in cold dry air and activities that require extended running appear to trigger asthma more readily than other forms of exercise. However, medicines can be taken before exertion to help avoid an episode. This preventive medicine enables most students with exercise-induced asthma to participate in any sport they choose. Warmup and cooldown activities appropriate for any exercise will also help the student with asthma.
- Support the student's treatment plan if it requires premedication before exercise.
- Understand what to do if an asthma episode occurs during exercise. Have the child's asthma action plan available.
- Encourage students with asthma to participate actively in sports but also recognize and respect their limits.
- Refer your questions about a student's ability to fully participate in physical education to the parents and school nurse.
Source: Managing Asthma: A Guide for Schools. National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI), National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the Fund for the Improvement and Reform of Schools and Teaching, Office of Educational Research and Improvement (OERI), U.S. Department of Education, September 1991. NIH Publication No. 91-2650.
Resources Available to Schools
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Resources Available to Schools to Help Manage Asthma
For more information contact:
The National Asthma Education Program
Information Center
4733 Bethesda Ave. Ste. 530
Bethesda, MD 20814-4820
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(301) 951-3260
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The following organizations can provide additional materials and information about asthma.
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Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America
National Headquarters
1717 Massachusetts Ave. NW. Ste. 305
Washington, DC. 20036
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1-800-727-8462
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American Lung Association
909 12th Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
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Judi Reynolds (916) 444-5864
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National Jewish Center for Immunology
and Respiratory Medicine
1400 Jackson Street
Denver, CO 80206
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1-800-222-5864
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American Academy of Allergy and Immunology
611 East Well Street
Milwaukee, WI 53202
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1-800-822-2762
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National Allergy and Asthma Network
Mother of Asthmatics
3554 Chain Bridge Road Ste.200
Fairfax, VA 22030
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1-800-878-4403
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American College of Allergy & Immunology
800 East Northwest Hwy. Ste. 1080
Palatine, IL 60067
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1-800-842-7777
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Source: Managing Asthma: A Guide for Schools. National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI), National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the Fund for the Improvement and Reform of Schools and Teaching, Office of Educational Research and Improvement (OERI), U.S. Department of Education, September 1991. NIH Publication No. 91-2650.
