The reality that parents need to prepare school teachers and other adults who care for their children with asthma is illustrated in video Young Children Learning to Manage Asthma: A Family Affair. This video is complimented by list of tips for parents assembled by the American Lung Association to help ready kids with asthma for their return to school this fall. With nearly 11% of children returning to school affected by asthma, asthma is one of the most common reasons children are absent from school.

First, parents should know that, per government regulation, manufacturers are phasing out the production of a common albuterol inhaler (often called a CFC inhaler), which will no longer be available to consumers by December 31, 2008. Instead, the CFC inhaler will be replaced by an HFA inhaler, which does not contain ozone-depleting chemicals.

“Some kids might find their new inhaler has a slightly different taste or feel,” said Norman Edelman, MD, Chief Medical Officer of the American Lung Association. “Also be aware that your pharmacy won’t be able to simply substitute the new HFA inhaler for your existing CFC inhaler prescription. Your child’s doctor will need to write a new prescription.”

To prepare for the year ahead, the ALA has provided a checklist for parents of children with asthma:

Schedule Asthma Check-up Doctor’s Appointment

Keep your child’s asthma under control by visiting your pediatrician to be sure it stays under control.

Confirm Medicines Are Up-to-Date and Fill Prescriptions

Make sure you have a current HFA inhaler prescription if your child uses an inhaler. Check your medicines to be sure you have enough and they are not expired.

Know About Prescription Assistance Services

Two organizations are available to help patients who need financial assistance with their medications. The Partnership for Prescription Assistance can be reached by calling 1-888-4PPA-NOW. Rx Outreach also provides information on their website: www.rxoutreach.com.

Asthma Action Plan

All students who have asthma should have in place a written Asthma Action Plan that includes personal information about his or her asthma symptoms, medications, and any physical activity limitations. The plan should also provide specific instructions about what to do if, after being given prescribed medication, the child’s asthma attack does not improve.

Visit Your Child’s School Nurse and Teachers

Make sure your child’s teachers and coaches and the school nurse have a current copy of the Asthma Action Plan. Discuss specific triggers and symptoms with your child’s teachers so they can be prepared if your child has an asthma attack at school.

Advocate for Your Child

Learn whether your child’s school allows students to carry and independently administer their asthma medication. Find out what steps you need to take to have your child carry and use his or her inhaler if your doctor recommends that.

Know Your School’s Asthma Emergency Plan

Be sure that your child’s school knows how to contact you in case of an emergency, and find out the school’s past history of dealing with asthma episodes. Make sure that school staff (including after-school coaches and bus drivers) has been trained to respond to asthma emergencies.

Having these steps in place before your child returns to school will help make his or her return a safer one and will offer peace of mind to parents.