How Do I Explain Type 1 Diabetes To A Child?

At diagnosis we all receive a huge crash course in life with Type 1 Diabetes.  People are coming at you from all corners of the hospital- Doctors, Dieticians, Diabetes Educators, Lab techs, Nurses and the list goes on and on.  There is little rest, lots of tears and a confounding amount of information.  We leave the hospital with arm loads of supplies and head home with a soft plan for the next few hours or days with Type 1 Diabetes.  Feeling like you were tossed from the eye of a tornado, how do you explain the diagnosis of type 1 diabetes to a child?

It really is important for you to educate yourself as much as possible about what diabetes is.  I encourage you to read through all of the important information you just lugged home with you.  Recycle what you don’t need and organize what seems important and empowering.  Remember education is powerful and will give you the muscle you need to create a healing environment.  At this point you have to work through a newly disrupted household and life with a chronic disease.  Honor your feelings, this situation brings the strongest people to their knees in complete emotional distress.  It takes a healthy Mom or Dad to take care of this new and endless set of needs with a new diagnosis of type 1 diabetes.

I have found honesty to be the best policy when asked questions about diabetes by a child.  As difficult as the questions may be, answering openly and truthfully is really important.

I remember when my daughter asked me:
“Mom, how many days do I have to take shots?”
My initial response was:
“Honey, let’s take this one day at a time.”
After a few days passed she asked again.
At that point I felt better equipped to tell her:
“Diabetes will be part of our life every day until a cure is found.”

Every child at the same age is different in both their emotional and educational levels.  Their response to this new diagnosis and way of life is unique from their peers.  Being sensitive and in tune to where they are and how much information is appropriate at that time is very helpful. It is an emotional time for everyone.  It’s not only OK- it is healthy for your child to see you cry (just not all the time!), they are looking to you to see how they should feel about all of this too.  You are the lead in creating a positive and healthy home environment. Being the role model with a clean diet, exercise and daily attention to Diabetes will form wonderful life long habits for your child.  I often thank my Mom for instilling this healthy way of life into my growing mind and body.

Once you have a solid base of knowledge it needs to be tailored to meet your child’s needs.
I have found picture books on anatomy are great for explaining, kids are very visual and it helps them to understand their bodies.  Perhaps showing your child a picture of where the pancreas is will help them visualize the body part involved in this disease.  Describe the “job” of the pancreas.  You can say something as simple as “your pancreas is sick” and isn’t working how it was before your diagnosis of type 1 diabetes.  Describe insulin as a medicine that helps the body to use what you eat for energy and to grow big and strong.  It is similar to putting gasoline in your car.  It can’t run without gasoline and we can’t run without insulin.

Children don’t need a lot of information at first, sometimes kids don’t want to know anything and may cover their ears and hide.  All of these reactions are normal and are protective mechanisms.  Reactions will change over time; you may see anger, fear and sadness come and go.  Remember to make it as basic as possible; you’ll know when they’ve had enough (They’ll get antsy and run away or start talking about something totally different in the middle of your conversation- LOL).

The Bag of hope from JDRF was spectacular.  Who wouldn’t want to come home with a bear that has Type 1 Diabetes too?  That is another excellent tool for teaching your child about their new diagnosis of type 1 diabetes- thank you JDRF.  Rufus helped us adjust by administering numerous finger pokes, shots and hugs to that poor innocent fuzzy guy.

Books on Diabetes for you and your child are also an important addition (see my favorites).

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She Sugar