Asthma is a serious chronic illness that tends to run in families, but your child with asthma can lead a normal, active life with the help of asthma management, medication, and the support of good communication between family members, school personnel, and healthcare providers. Good communication builds trust, raises awareness, and solves problems. Here are some things you can do to start building bridges between you, your child, and the people your child interacts with each day.

Here are some suggestions from the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology:

At School

• Meet with the teacher, school nurse, and perhaps the principal at the beginning of the school year to make them aware of your child's asthma.
• Explain to school personnel the child's asthma, what medications he or she uses, and the possible side effects.
• Encourage school personnel to allow your child to take his or her medications as required, without making it "a big deal."
• Explain that children with asthma should be treated like the other students and be encouraged to participate in normal activities as much as possible.
• Explain to your child's physical education teacher or coach the nature of exercise-induced asthma, which medications to use, how to use them, techniques for preventing exercise-induced asthma (for example, a warm-up period), warning signs of an asthma episode, and how to treat an asthma episode.

With Your Doctor

• Ask your doctor to provide an action plan for school personnel to follow when handling an asthma episode.
• Ask your doctor if there's anything else he or she can provide for school personnel to increase their understanding about what asthma is and how to meet the needs of children with asthma.
• Find out from your doctor how to control asthma by reducing or avoiding environmental triggers.

At Home

• Promote a healthy lifestyle including proper rest, exercise, and nutrition, and ensure proper medication use.
• Foster emotional health so your child thinks of his or herself as a healthy person, not a sick one, and is confident of his or her ability to confront challenges and succeed.
• Prevent symptoms from affecting the child's energy levels, concentration, attention span, peer relations, physical activity, and overall well-being.
• Have your child meet with an allergist or immunologist to learn about managing his or her asthma during exercise.
• Encourage your child to participate in normal activities as much as possible. Your efforts at communications will help create a positive, healthy, and safe environment for your child, both in your home and at school.

A good foundation of knowledge and support can help give your child the confidence to confront challenges and know he or she can succeed.