Helping Your Child Start The Year With Confidence
The first day of school comes with plenty to think about: new teachers, new routines, packed lunches, and forgotten water bottles. If your child has allergies or asthma, there’s another layer of preparation that can make a big difference.
A little planning before the school year begins can help your child stay healthy, safe, and focused on what matters most: learning, making friends, and enjoying school. Here are a few simple steps to help set your child up for success.
1. Review Your Child’s Allergy or Asthma Plan
If it’s been a while since your child’s last visit, the start of the school year is a great time to check in with your allergist.
Ask yourself:
- Are medications and doses still appropriate? (Don’t forget, growing kids may need different dosages!)
- Do prescriptions need to be renewed?
- Has anything changed since last school year?
- Does the school have an up-to-date Allergy or Asthma Action Plan?
Having current paperwork and clear instructions helps everyone respond quickly and confidently if symptoms develop.
Special note: Talk to your doctor as early as possible about school paperwork!
2. Make Sure Meds Are Ready to Go
Many families are surprised to discover that an inhaler or epinephrine auto-injector has expired after sitting in a backpack all summer. Before school starts, check the expiration dates on all of your child’s medications and make sure you have enough for both home and school, if needed.
Take a moment to check:
- Epinephrine auto-injectors
- Rescue inhalers
- Spacer devices
- Antihistamines (e.g., Zyrtec)
If any medications have expired or need to be replaced, taking care of it before the first week of school can help ensure your child has the medications they need—where and when they need them.
3. Complete Required School Health Paperwork
Many schools require updated health forms before students with allergies or asthma return to class. Check whether your child needs an Individualized Healthcare Plan (IHP), medication authorization forms, or other required documentation. BAAIC has general forms on hand, but some schools require specific paperwork. Completing paperwork before school starts helps ensure staff have the information they need to keep your child safe.
4. Help Your Child Build Confidence
As children grow, they can gradually take a more active role in managing their allergies.
Age-appropriate skills might include:
- Knowing what foods or triggers to avoid
- Recognizing early symptoms
- Telling a trusted adult if they don’t feel well
- Knowing where their medications are kept
- Learning when and how to use medications (when appropriate)
The goal isn’t for children to manage everything on their own, it helps them become confident advocates for their health over time.
5. Don’t Forget About Seasonal Allergies
Back-to-school season also marks the return of fall allergy triggers.
In Northwest Washington, weed pollens and mold spores often remain active well into the fall, and classroom exposure to dust, pets carried on clothing, or outdoor allergens can lead to sneezing, itchy eyes, congestion, and asthma flare-ups in some children.
If your child starts the school year with persistent symptoms, don’t assume they’re “just getting every cold.”
Allergies can affect:
- Sleep quality
- Concentration
- Classroom participation
- Sports and recess
- Overall quality of life
When allergy symptoms are well managed, many children simply feel better, and learn better.
When Should You Schedule an Appointment?
If your child has:
- Frequent allergy symptoms
- Asthma that’s becoming harder to control
- Food allergies requiring an updated emergency plan
- New or changing allergic reactions
- Questions about medications or testing
A visit before, or shortly after, the school year begins can help ensure they’re prepared for the months ahead.
A Great School Year Starts with Preparation
Every child deserves to begin the school year feeling safe, confident, and ready to learn.
Whether your child manages seasonal allergies, asthma, food allergies, or all three, a little preparation now can provide peace of mind for the entire family… and help make this school year their healthiest one yet!
