| If your child begins to get really careless about taking | | | | can. If your child find it hard to come to terms with |
| medication at school, ask your doctor about changing | | | | his condition you may find it helpful to contact a |
| the regime. Some asthma medications are given four | | | | support group through which both you and he can |
| times a day, but a double dose twice a day may be | | | | form relationships with other families who are in a |
| possible. If he has not had an attack for a long time | | | | similar position. As your child gets older he might |
| it may be appropriate to stop taking the | | | | enjoy going to a specialized summer camp where he |
| preventative medicine and to rely on reliever inhalers. | | | | can meet children with the same problems and find |
| If so, stress how important it is that he takes his | | | | out how they cope. |
| medication when needed as this is the only way his | | | | Most parents worry about the side effects of |
| asthma can be properly managed. It is worrying to | | | | asthma medication, but the side effect of a serious, |
| have a child who suddenly becomes blase about his | | | | untreated asthma attack is potentially far worse. |
| condition but this can and does happen, particularly as | | | | With proper guidance, medication will enhance your |
| the child approaches his teens. At this stage, peer | | | | child's life. Most doctors are concerned about getting |
| pressure, a need to feel the same as others and a | | | | asthma care right, and many are supported by |
| desire to be independent all come to the fore. | | | | asthma clinics. Find a doctor your child likes and whom |
| Try to be as supportive and understanding as you | | | | you respect. |