The Diabetes Team

Treating diabetes is a team effort. You (the parents or guardians) and the child are the most important members of this team, working closely with the child's doctor, who may be a pediatrician or an endocrinologist.

In addition, the care team may include:

• A diabetes educator (often a nurse)

• A dietitian

• A psychologist or other counselor

• A pharmacist

• An exercise specialist

The diabetes team will help you and your child master these skills:

• Drawing up insulin and giving shots

• Doing finger-stick blood tests

• Doing a simple test with strips or tablets to measure the concentration of ketones in the urine when the child is ill or blood glucose levels are high

• Adjusting meals and snacks to meet the child's needs

• Getting plenty of exercise and adjusting food or insulin to accommodate changes in insulin requirements that exercise brings

• Handling sick days and emergencies