Students may use asthma meds at school

MCLEAN, Va., July 27 (UPI) -- Laws in all 50 states permit students returning to school this fall to carry and use asthma medications at school, a U.S. non-profit group says.

Nancy Sander, founder and president of Allergy & Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics -- a national, non-profit family organization for people with asthma and other respiratory conditions -- says most schools require the student's physician to verify the student is ready to self-medicate, so step one is visiting the doctor and getting a written medication action plan.

"Then, like learning to tie their shoes or recite their ABCs, kids will need to practice what they learn and have the supportive reinforcement of parents and teachers throughout the process," Sander says in a statement.

Sander and others at AANMA recommend parents ask several questions before a child self-medicates, including whether the child:

-- Uses medication correctly at home, stays calm when having symptoms, and tells an adult when having had symptoms or used medication?

-- Knows the medication's name and how to tell how much medication is needed?

-- Always takes care of medication, keeping it on at hand without allowing it to get into the hands of other children?