Key Findings from the Study
The study analyzed data from 564,582 kindergarten children and found that:- 958 children (0.2%) were identified as having asthma.
- Children with asthma were absent from school on average 9.4 days, compared to 6.7 days for children without asthma.
- 53.5% of children with asthma had functional impairments, compared to 15.9% of children without asthma.
- Children with asthma had between 1.51 and 2.42 higher odds of being developmentally vulnerable, particularly in the domain of physical health and well-being.
Implications for Practitioners
The findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to support children with asthma. Here are some actionable steps practitioners can take:1. Increase Awareness and Communication
Many teachers reported a lack of knowledge about their students' asthma diagnosis. Practitioners should work closely with parents, teachers, and school administrators to ensure that all relevant parties are aware of a child's asthma condition. Regular communication can help monitor the child's health and developmental progress.
2. Address Functional Impairments
Functional impairments significantly impact developmental vulnerability. Practitioners should assess and address any functional impairments in children with asthma. This may involve:
- Providing physical therapy or occupational therapy.
- Implementing individualized education plans (IEPs).
- Offering additional support for speech and language development.
3. Minimize School Absences
School absences contribute to developmental vulnerabilities. Strategies to reduce absences include:
- Ensuring children have access to necessary asthma medications and inhalers.
- Creating asthma action plans that outline steps to manage symptoms and prevent flare-ups.
- Educating school staff on how to respond to asthma emergencies.
4. Monitor Developmental Progress
Regular assessments using tools like the Early Development Instrument (EDI) can help track a child's developmental progress. Practitioners should use these assessments to identify areas of vulnerability and implement appropriate interventions.
Encouraging Further Research
While this study provides important insights, there is a need for further research to explore the long-term impact of asthma on child development. Practitioners are encouraged to:
- Participate in longitudinal studies that follow children with asthma over time.
- Investigate the effectiveness of various interventions in reducing developmental vulnerabilities.
- Examine the role of environmental factors, such as air quality and socioeconomic status, in asthma management and child development.
To read the original research paper, please follow this link: Developmental health of Canadian kindergarten children with teacher-reported asthma between 2010 and 2015: A population-level cross-sectional study.
