Asthma at School Checklist

Use this checklist to help ensure a healthy environment that supports lung health in every classroom. 

1. Learn more about asthma by participating in a free online program, Asthma Basics and watch this short video about how the lungs work. 

2. A new school year means new friends, new teachers and sometimes, infectious respiratory diseases, so it is critical that students are up to date on all routinely recommended vaccinations, including those that protect against influenza and whooping cough. Asthma can make it harder to manage respiratory infections and they can also cause asthma attacks. Learn more about why vaccines are so important for lung health.

3. Review your child’s Asthma Action Plan with their healthcare provider. Don’t have an Asthma Action Plan? The Lung Association Asthma Action Plans have recently made updates for vaccinations & new treatment options like SMART & Biologics. Develop one with your child's doctor and make sure you and your child know what to do when symptoms start. Learn more about newer treatment options for managing asthma by reading this blog.

4. Talk to your school nurse and your child's teacher about your child's asthma and review their Asthma Action Plan with them.

5. Make sure that the school knows of your child’s asthma diagnosis and fill out any required forms to ensure quick access to your child’s life-saving medicine.

6. Mark all asthma medicines that you plan to send to school with your child's name and complete instructions on how the medicine should be used. For easy-to-understand information about asthma medications and how they work, visit the American Lung Association's Understand Your Asthma Medication page. 

7. Learn about your school's asthma policies and asthma emergency procedures. Check out the five steps to follow for an asthma emergency on our First Aid for Asthma Poster or take our Responding to Asthma Emergencies in Schools training. 
   Questions to Ask: 

   • “Is my child allowed to self-carry their quick-relief inhaler?
   • Does the school have a stock of quick-relief inhalers (e.g., albuterol) for my child to use if there is an emergency?
   • “If my child experiences asthma symptoms and needs treatment during the school day, what actions does the school take?”

8. Heading to college? Prepare to manage your asthma on your own with the Breathe Well, Live Well Plus, a self-paced online training offered in English and Spanish that provides guidance and resources to help you take control of your asthma and feel confident managing it on your own.

9. Have questions about asthma but don’t know where to turn? Connect with our Lung Health Navigator for free, personalized one-on-one support like asthma education, virtual home assessment, and many more. 

10. Start the conversation about the risks of smoking and vaping with your child. The Vape Talk is a great tool to help you begin. You can also explore our training, Talking to Your Child About Vaping, for additional support and guidance.