Students diagnosed with asthma should be under the care of a health care provider, and most will be managed with a prescription medication. Many students will have identified triggers and may need environmental modifications at school in order to avoid them. Some of these students will require an Individual Healthcare Plan (IHP). The school nurse will need to coordinate with the student’s family and health care team about the management of the child’s asthma at school. If your student requires asthma medication to be kept on hand at school throughout the school year, physician orders/medication authorization form must be submitted to the school nurse.  

Authorization for Students to Self-Carry Emergency Medication

A student with asthma or severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) may be permitted to possess and use prescribed asthma or anaphylaxis medication at school or school-related events only if he or she has written authorization from his or her parents and a physician or other licensed health-care provider. The student must also demonstrate to his or her physician or health-care provider and to the school nurse the ability to use the prescribed medication, including any device required to administer the medication.

If the student has been prescribed asthma or anaphylaxis medication for use during the school day, the student and parents should discuss this with the school nurse or principal.