How to Explain Diabetes to Children

Diabetes can be baffling and frightening to children who don't understand it. They may become confused by the need for insulin or afraid of the needles used to deliver it. Such concerns are usually unwarranted. Diabetes can be treated and controlled, allowing diabetic patients to live a full and rich life. If a child understands the basics of what's entailed, diabetes becomes significantly less frightening.

Instructions

• 1

  Talk about insulin and the function it serves in the body in ways that a child can understand. Tell them that it helps their blood absorb sugars from food, which their body needs to get energy. The blood of diabetics can't do that on its own, which is why they need to take insulin shots. Without it, the sugars build up in the blood and make the diabetic very sick.

• 2

  Discuss the need for shots and needles--likely the scariest part of diabetes for children. Needles are sometimes used to check blood sugars--making sure that they aren't building up in the blood--and also to inject insulin into the body. Let your child know that he shouldn't be afraid of those needles. While they aren't toys and they can hurt for a minute, they provide important medicine and help the doctor keep an eye on diabetic patients.

• 3

  Explain the steps which can be taken to prevent diabetes. The exact causes are as yet unknown, but exercise and good diet plays a part in keeping it under control. Encourage your kids to stay active--finding a sport to participate in or just playing outside instead of sitting in font of the TV or video game console--and stress the need to eat healthy foods.

• 4

  Let her know that it isn't her fault she has diabetes. She shouldn't feel as if she did something wrong. Rather, encourage her accept it as a part of who she is. Children may feel strange about having to take insulin and test their blood sugar while other children don't. If they're ashamed of it and feel like it's something to hide, other children will pick up on it and may tease or bully. But if she understands that it's nothing to be ashamed of, she can address questions calmly and in a straightforward manner, which reduces the awkwardness associated with it.