Asthma in Schools: What Parents, Teachers, and Nurses Need to Know

When a child has asthma, a chronic lung condition that causes airways to swell and narrow, making breathing difficult. Also known as reactive airway disease, it’s one of the most common reasons kids miss school and visit the emergency room. In classrooms across the country, asthma isn’t just a medical issue—it’s a daily reality that affects learning, participation, and safety.

Many kids with asthma can manage it well, but only if everyone around them knows what to do. That means teachers need to recognize early signs like wheezing or coughing during activity, nurses must have updated asthma action plans, personalized written instructions from a doctor that outline medication use and emergency steps. Also known as asthma care plans, these documents are the roadmap for keeping a child safe during a flare-up. Parents need to make sure those plans are current, and schools must store inhalers where they’re instantly accessible—not locked in an office. Kids shouldn’t have to ask permission to use their inhaler when they’re struggling to breathe.

Triggers in the classroom are often invisible but dangerous. Dust from chalkboards, mold in damp corners, strong cleaning products, and even perfume from staff can spark an attack. Cold air from air conditioning, physical exertion during gym class, and stress from tests or social pressure also play a role. Schools that track these triggers and adjust their environment—like switching to low-dust supplies or improving ventilation—see fewer emergency calls and fewer missed school days.

Medication access is another key piece. Most kids use inhalers, handheld devices that deliver quick-relief or long-term control medicine directly to the lungs. Also known as puffers, these are lifesavers when used correctly. But many students don’t know how to use them properly, and some schools don’t train staff on spacer devices or nebulizer alternatives. A child with a poorly timed inhaler use might go from fine to in distress in under a minute. That’s why regular drills and clear roles—like who carries the spare inhaler, who calls 911, who contacts parents—are non-negotiable.

Legal protections like the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 require schools to accommodate students with asthma, but compliance varies. Some districts have full-time nurses and asthma education programs. Others rely on overworked aides who’ve never seen an inhaler used in real time. The difference isn’t just policy—it’s whether a child gets to run on the playground or sits out because no one knew what to do.

What you’ll find in the articles below are real, practical insights from parents who’ve fought for better school policies, nurses who’ve trained entire staffs, and teachers who’ve learned to spot the quiet signs of trouble before it escalates. There’s no fluff here—just what works, what doesn’t, and how to make sure no child has to suffer silently in class because no one was prepared.