Asthma, Essay Example

Definition:  Asthma is a chronic lung disease in which the airways become inflamed and narrowed, causing breathing difficulty.  Recurrent wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath are symptoms of asthma.  Certain ‘triggers’ such as physical exercise can exacerbate this condition, but may be alleviated by the use of an asthma inhaler (National Asthma Education and Prevention Program, n.d.).

Causes:  Asthma is not contagious and is caused by a combination of hereditary and environmental factors (Asthma Society of Canada, 2011).

Prevalence:  According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology (2011), an average of 1 out of every 10 school-aged children have asthma.  Nine million children under 18 have been diagnosed with asthma at some point in their life.  13 million school days are missed each year due to asthma.

Classroom Accommodations:  Although most children with asthma are typical learners, some students will qualify for an Individualized Education Plan (IEP).  As well, this disease can lead to fatigue and missed school days which require special accommodations.

Classroom Environment:

• Minimize allergens such as perfume and cleaning products
• Provide child with ready access to their asthma inhaler
• Monitor child for signs of distress on days when environmental risk is high

Teacher Presentation/Strategies:

• Provide one-on-one remedial time to counteract absences
• Develop specific health plan with other staff members
• Educate peers about asthma

Materials:

• non-toxic, non-scented writing materials

Assessments:

• Adapt testing schedules based on child’s physical status
• Allow for home testing when illness interferes with attendance
• Provide extra study/preparation time
• (National Asthma Education and Prevention Program, n.d.)

References

American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology. (2011). Asthma statistics. Retrieved from http://www.aaaai.org/about-the-aaaai/newsroom/asthma-statistics.aspx

Asthma Society of Canada. (2011). Asthma at school. Retrieved from www.asthma.ca/adults/community/aas_teachers.php

National Asthma Education and Prevention Program. (n.d.) Managing asthma: A guide for schools. U.S Department of Health and Human Services. Retrieved from http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/prof/lung/asthma/asth_sch.pdf