Effects on childrens development?

[ali50n]

Hi

I am currently studying NVQ3 IN ccld and as part of my course i have to produce a fact sheet on children with diabetes.

I have some understanding of the condition but i have never personally worked with a child who has diabetes.

I have a question to ask and i hope you all dont mind, but i think that you would be the best to answer my specific query obviously having frist hand experience of the condition.

Does diabetes have an effect on your child's development and if so how?
Any information would be greatly recived
Many Thanks
Alison

[fortristan]

I'm still very new. My son has had db for only a year but I've been told no it does not have an effect on development. However, from own experience high glucose #s has effected my son as far as flaky skin and cracking feet which isn't suppose to happen until teens or older.

[kel4han]

I beleive it depends on the onset. My daughter had a very slow onset, and stopped growing for about a year before diagnosis, had all the symptoms (which we know now) and wasnt able to concentrate in school and excell. Battling consistant highs and lacking insulin production caused her alot of physical delays, she is 7 and only 38lbs...very very tiny for a girl her age, and not quite intelectually where I would expect her to be, but since diagnosis has done a huge turn around simply becuase her health is on track and she is feeling good!

[tuckerk]

Caitlin has only been diagnosed since April 2007. She too was not gaining weight consistently prior to diagnosis. since we have started insulin her weight has picked up (+ 3-5 lbs since diagnosis). I have not noticed any intellecutal delays. She counts to 10. Speaks very well. She decided a few days ago that she wanted to use the potty chair!!!!!!

[momofphoenix]

My son was dx'ed 4 years ago and he has quiet a lot of delays due to his diabetes, he was not able to concentrate, unable to function in the classroom, unable to play with other kids (due to the highs and lows) since his dx's he is a lot better but since he missed so much before dx's he is still delayed, his social skills are lower then average, if he is high he misses class/ school, if he is low he misses class/school, same with sports if he is high or low he cant participate My son's first endo (very very good doctor) said that diabetes does affect children intellecualy and socially

[Nate'sMom]

I agree with momofphoenix. My son was diagnosed 2 months into 1st grade, and has struggled for 2 years to keep up. If his bg is high he can not concentrate or focus,:( if he is low...he can not concentrate or focus.:( So academically it is always a struggle. He can be so well prepared for a spelling test, then get to school and for no forseable reason his bg goes through the roof and he does lousy on the test. Because we have had a few "scary" lows (bg of 23!!) he is afraid to go anywhere without me, except school,(we have a super school nurse) He doesn't want to go to birthday parties, etc. he is 9 so that is not so bad right now, but as he gets older it is going to start to affect him socially. That is one of the hardest things for us dealing with Type 1 diabetes, it is not a learning disability, but it does affect how my son retains information. It has been really hard for his teachers/administrators to pin down. We just had a 504 plan instated at the end of last year. We'll see if it makes a difference.:rolleyes:

[jacobandhannah]

Jacob was diagnosed with Type 1 almost 3 years ago. Yes highs and lows have caused a few problems, however he has continued to make the A honor roll every 9 weeks. Just this past march he was invited to join the Duke University TIP program for gifted children. His scholl has always been very accomodating nad helped any way possible.

[Tigerlilly's mom]

I would say that Tylers life after diagnosis is much the same as before, with the exception of a few pokes and prods a day.

Tyler was a good student/althete before diagnosis and still is. He has always had lots of friends and been invited to many birthday parties and this also has not changed.

The only thing I have noticed, is that when he plays hockey, if his blood sugar is too high, he doesn't play as well. Of course in the beginning I felt better with him getting on the ice a bit higher than normal, but then I started noticing that it affected his performance out there. Now that I figured out that his adrenaline makes his blood sugar sky high during hockey, I feel more comfortable sending him out there a little on the low side.

[LantusFiend]

Stunted my physical growth when it was out of control.