Managing Common Chronic Childhood Illnesses
This guide is intended to provide information for individuals who are caring for children who have, or are suspected to have, a common chronic childhood illness. This guide includes Canadian resources about managing Asthma, Celiac Disease, Diabetes, Epilepsy, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), and Sickle Cell Disease. The creation of this guide was prompted by the second recommendation presented in the Local Death Review Table Report and Recommendations, September 2021.
This guide is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice. If a child in your care is experiencing medical distress, call 911 immediately.
Many of the links in this guide come from AboutKidsHealth from SickKids, and Caring for Kids from the Canadian Pediatric Society.
We recognize that mental health is a crucial part of overall health; for information about mental health, please see our comprehensive Mental Health for Care Providers Guide. For information about COVID-19, please see our COVID-19 and Child Welfare Guide.
Asthma
- Asthma Learning Hub | AboutKidsHealthAsthma is a condition that affects the lungs and can cause your child to feel short of breath, have tightness in their chest and experience coughing and wheezing. With good asthma control, your child can go on to live a normal and healthy life. Learn more about what asthma is, how it is diagnosed and how it can be controlled. You will also learn about the medicines used to treat asthma and the different devices used to give them.
- Child's Bedroom | The Canadian Lung AssociationDoes your child have a lot of stuffed toys or other items that collect dust? There are many things in the bedroom that can harbour dust and dust mites including stuffed toys, carpeting, drapes and stored items.
- Asthma in Children | Asthma CanadaIn young children, cough is often the only symptom of asthma. Asthma symptoms generally include coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath, but asthma symptoms vary widely among children. Some cough all night but are symptom-free during the day, while others seem to get frequent chest colds that just won’t go away. Children have very small, narrow airways, and can wheeze when they have a viral infections. First episodes of cough, runny nose and fever that happen in cold and flu season (fall, winter and early spring) is likely not asthma. If your child has several more episodes of wheeze and cough, it is more likely to be asthma. The most common cause of asthma in infants and children under three years of age is a cold. Even after the cold is gone, asthma symptoms and airway swelling can last for several weeks.
- Asthma in School | Asthma CanadaAsthma affects over 850,000 children under the age of 14 in Canada and is the leading cause of school absences. For Canadian children, asthma is the most common long-term respiratory disease and accounts for more hospitalizations than any other chronic illness. In particular, exercise-induced asthma symptoms are common among children, adolescents, and young adults. Because some children with exercise-induces asthma tend to avoid play, parents and teachers sometimes never realize the student is experiencing symptoms during exercise.
- Severe Asthma in Children | Asthma CanadaThere are different degrees of asthma. People with asthma are generally categorized as having mild-to-moderate asthma or moderate-to-severe asthma. There are two main types of medications for asthma. Both of them are inhaled into the airways. There are controllers, and there are relievers. If these medications are not controlling a child’s asthma despite being compliant, then it may mean that a child has Severe Asthma.
- Asthma Canada ResourcesAsthma Canada regularly develops educational resources for electronic and print. These materials are meant to educate and inform the general public on issues relating to asthma and proper asthma management. All of our resources are available to download in PDF format.
- Asthma and Allergies Hotline | Asthma CanadaOur Asthma & Allergy HelpLine is a FREE call-back or email service available to all Canadians. Whether you have asthma and other respiratory allergies or are a caregiver, our team of expert CREs can support you.
- Asthma Action Plan | Asthma CanadaAn Asthma Action Plan allows you and your healthcare provider to create a personalized program for managing your asthma. You can use it as a strategy to identify when your asthma may be flaring up and how to manage your asthma when it gets out of control. Studies have shown that having a written agreement with your healthcare provider helps you manage your asthma at home. Print and take this sample action plan with you to your next appointment to start a discussion.
Celiac Disease
- Celiac Disease Learning Hub | AboutKidsHealthCeliac disease is a life long condition that needs to be carefully managed through maintaining a gluten-free diet. Learn more about what celiac disease is and how you can help your child manage it.
- Celiac Disease | Canadian Digestive Health FoundationCeliac disease is a life-long medical condition in which the absorptive surface of the small intestine is damaged by a substance called gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye and barley.
- Resources for Celiac Children | Canadian Celiac AssociationEnjoy this 20-page easy-to-read resource, available in both English and French, written specifically for parents who have children with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. It contains information about the disease, tips from fellow parents, nutrition tips, recipes, and gluten free lunch and snack ideas.
- Celiac Disease and Your Child | Caring for KidsCeliac disease is a condition triggered by dietary gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley and rye. Celiac disease is not a food allergy. It’s an auto-immune disorder: The person’s body responds to gluten by producing antibodies that attack its own tissues. When people with celiac disease eat foods with gluten, the small intestine becomes damaged. This damage makes it difficult for the body to absorb nutrients, which can lead to a number of health problems. In children, undiagnosed celiac disease can affect growth and development.
- Gluten-Free 24/7Gluten Free 24/7 was created in collaboration with the Canadian Celiac Association. This app helps individuals dealing with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity identify and shop for safe, gluten free foods. It can be difficult to know which foods contain gluten, however, the Gluten Free 24/7 app takes the guesswork away and makes it easier to maintain a gluten free diet.
- Celiac Disease Symptom Checklist | Canadian Celiac AssociationThink you or your child may be having issues with gluten? Take our symptom checker to learn if you should get tested for celiac disease. Complete this checklist and make an appointment with your doctor.
Diabetes
- Diabetes Learning Hub | AboutKidsHealthThis resource contains information about diabetes, from symptom recognition, to diagnosis, treatment and long-term outcomes. Learn about managing and living with diabetes on a daily basis. Throughout the resource you will find many illustrations and animations to help you understand the condition, its management and long-term consequences.
- Management of Type 1 Diabetes | AboutKidsHealthIn type 1 diabetes, the pancreas stops producing insulin. Learn how this chronic condition is managed.
- Management of Type 2 Diabetes | AboutKidsHealthType 2 diabetes is less common in children and teens than in adults. Learn the signs of type 2 diabetes and how it is diagnosed.
- Types of Diabetes | AboutKidsHealthFind out about the two most common types of diabetes: type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Symptoms and causes differ for each.
- Living with Diabetes | AboutKidsHealthAn overview of what to expect when your child is diagnosed with diabetes, and you will need to learn to manage living with diabetes.
- Teenagers with Diabetes | AboutKidsHealthDiscover how to help your teenager manage their diabetes and how it will affect their day-to-day lives.
- Effective Management of Diabetes at Home | AboutKidsHealthProper diabetes care at home includes sharing responsibility and creating and maintaining a routine. Find out how to do this in a way that works for your family.
- Diabetes in the Classroom | AboutKidsHealthAn overview of what to expect when a child with diabetes starts school and how it will impact their life at school.
- Infants, Toddlers, and Preschoolers with Diabetes | AboutKidsHealthFind out what to expect when your infant, toddler or preschooler has diabetes, and what you need to know to manage it.
- School-Aged Children with Diabetes | AboutKidsHealthLearn about sharing responsibility for diabetes care with your school-aged child, and the impact diabetes management will have on them.
- Meal Planning for Children with Diabetes | AboutKidsHealthYour child's meal plan must be flexible and realistic. Find out what you need to know before setting up a healthy meal plan.
- Food Issues at Different Ages for a Child with Diabetes | AboutKidsHealthFind tips on how to manage changes in your child's diet so that they have no impact on your child's health.
Epilepsy
- Epilepsy Learning Hub | AboutKidsHealthEpilepsy (seizure disorder) is diagnosed when a child has two or more unprovoked seizures (seizures that are not caused by an acute illness, fever or immediate head injury). A seizure is caused by a sudden electrical disturbance in the brain. Because the brain controls the body, this disturbance affects the body. Find information about epilepsy, including seizure and syndrome descriptions, diagnostic procedures, treatment options, and coping at home and at school.
- Epilepsy Resources and Support | AboutKidsHealthA detailed list of epilepsy organizations, research and books. A wide range of topics is covered, including guides for families and the ketogenic diet.
- Getting Support for Parents, Children, and Youth | Epilepsy OntarioMany disorders such as epilepsy don’t discriminate based on any factors, including age. Sometimes even the youngest people are affected by health conditions, which can in turn be challenging for the entire family as well. However, there are a variety of charities, organizations, and programs in Ontario that may be able to help with your family’s needs.
- Epilepsy at School | Caring for KidsEpilepsy is a chronic disorder characterized by seizures. Seizures are abnormal bursts of electrical activity in the brain that results in a change in behaviour and/or function. Epilepsy affects approximately 1 in 100 Canadian children and youth. Parents and caregivers should provide teachers and support staff with the information they need to create a safe and supportive learning environment for students with epilepsy.
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
- Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) | Caring for KidsIf you drink (beer, wine, coolers, liquor) while you are pregnant, the alcohol will pass through your bloodstream to your baby. Drinking while pregnant can cause fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), a serious condition that affects a child for life. Children with FASD have problems with development, learning, behaviour and social skills. It can also potentially cause physical deformities.
- Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) | AboutKidsHealthFetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) describes the effects that result from prenatal alcohol exposure.
- Information for Caregivers | CanFASDA resource list created by CanFASD to support caregivers to young people with FASD.
- A Caregiver's Guide to FASD Diagnosis | CanFASDThis guide will help you to understand Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) and provides information on where to find support for your child or a child in your care.
- How To An FASD Diagnosis to Your Child | CanFASDThis resource provides tips on how to explain the diagnosis of FASD to your child in a way that they can understand, and feel empowered by their disorder:
Sickle Cell Disease
- Sickle Cell Disease: A Practical Guide for Parents | AboutKidsHealthSickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited blood disorder. It is not contagious. Most children with SCD are of African ancestry, but children of Middle Eastern, Mediterranean and South Asian ancestry are also affected.
- Sickle Cell Disease: A Practical Guide for Teachers | AboutKidsHealthAn easy-to-understand overview of sickle cell disease for teachers.
- What Is Sickle Cell? | Sickle Cell Association of OntarioSickle Cell Disease (SCD) is a group of life-threatening, inherited disorders that affect the normal functioning of the red blood cells.
- Living with Sickle Cell | Sickle Cell Association of OntarioYou can live a full, active life when you have Sickle Cell Disease. You can take part in most of the same activities as other people. Making smart choices is important in keeping a minor illness from flaring into a crisis.
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Want to see a new guide on a specific topic? Looking for resources on an issue or practice area we haven't covered? Is there a resource you'd like to recommend? Please contact Jessica Mariano, Content & Research Librarian (jmariano@oacas.org).