Parents urged to update child’s asthma action plan

As students make their way back to the classroom, Asthma Australia is urging parents to update their child’s asthma action plan.

An asthma action plan is a personalised guide created by a doctor to manage a child’s asthma and prevent exacerbations.

The management strategy outlines how to handle flare-ups, monitor symptoms and provide appropriate treatment.

Asthma is a serious and common chronic respiratory disease which affects about 386,000 children in Australia.

During 2021-22, about 26,500 children under the age of 15 visited an emergency department for the condition.

Asthma Australia chief executive officer Kate Miranda stressed the importance of ensuring the condition was well-managed.

“Sending your child back to school without an updated written asthma action plan is just like sending them to play in the sun without a hat on,” she said.

“They are exposed. It’s one of those small but important steps to keep them protected – whether it’s from the sun’s rays or unexpected asthma flare-ups.

“Making sure that our kids start the school year on the front foot is clearly important.”

Asthma Australia has created a checklist for parents to follow.

Steps include booking an asthma review, updating the child’s asthma action plan, checking and updating medicines, and connecting with the school.

“So, as you tick off the back-to-school checklist – hats, uniforms, lunchboxes – add an asthma refresh to the mix and book an appointment with your child’s doctor to update their asthma action plan today,” Ms Miranda said.

Asthma Australia offer both colour and black and white versions of the asthma action plan which are accepted by schools across Australia.

For more information, head to asthma.org.au