Socializing is a huge and important part of growing up. While parents are trying to figure out how to deal with daily diabetes
management, young people are often more worried about how to make this new reality fit into their lives. Plenty of questions
arise: What do I tell my friends? How do I tell them? Will they treat me differently now that I have to take daily injections,
check my blood sugar, and eat my meals at specific times? Just as each family has different ways of coping with diabetes in
general, children and teens have different styles of telling their friends.
With a little encouragement, most children will choose an open, matter-of-fact approach. Some make a presentation on diabetes
to the class as part of “show-and-tell.“ Others choose to share their experience and knowledge as part of a speech or science
project. Most classmates are curious and admire a friend who is brave enough to endure daily injections and finger pricks.
But not all children are comfortable with this approach. Some hesitate to discuss their diabetes with classmates they hardly
know. Rather, they prefer to share the information only with school personnel and their closest friends, the ones they rely
on for support. For safety’s sake, the families of the child’s friends should also be aware of the diabetes, the need for
routines, and even the signs and symptoms of a low blood glucose reaction.
What if your child doesn’t want to tell anyone about diabetes?
Hiding diabetes is not only unsafe, it may be psychologically unhealthy and may reflect denial or shame. A child who is not
prepared to tell friends about his diabetes may have poor self-esteem and a lack of confidence. While respecting their child’s
wish for privacy, parents may have to help their child share the diagnosis with close friends, key school personnel, and other
caregivers to ensure a safe environment.
One reason children want to avoid telling their friends is the fear of teasing or shunning. Fortunately, teasing is not that
common. If teasing is an issue, children may need some special tips and support in handling the situation.
Your family, your child’s school, and the diabetes team can support and help your child talk to friends and deal with their
different reactions. You can speak to the friends’ parents and help your child feel more self-confident. The school can explain
to classmates that diabetes is not contagious, and that the child with diabetes is no different from other children and can
continue to enjoy the same games and activities as before. The social worker or counsellor from the diabetes team is experienced
in dealing with these coping issues, recognizing children’s varied backgrounds, personal experience, and family dynamics.
What should your child tell her classmates?
It’s often difficult for children to know what and when to tell classmates. Other children may be scared, too. Tell them that
diabetes is not contagious or “catching.“ If people want to know more or your child wants to tell them more, he can say that
diabetes means that his body needs help making energy from his food. He needs to take insulin injections because his body
stopped making its own insulin. He can involve his friends in his diabetes routines, if they want to learn and if he is comfortable
showing them.
Your child may even want to do a presentation or science project about diabetes.
