Diabetes, one of the most common chronic diseases in school-aged children, is now afflicting more children than ever before.

Each year, more than 13,000 children are diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in the U.S. In addition, the percentage of children diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in the U.S. has increased. Before 1994, it accounted for less than 5 percent of all newly diagnosed diabetes cases in children, but subsequently it has come to represent 30-50 percent. Fortunately, there are a variety of resources, tips and tools to help make diabetes management easier for kids and their families.

A Team Effort

One of the most important tips is for parents to view the management of their child's diabetes as a team effort. Everyone who has a potential impact on the management of the child's diabetes has a role to play, including the child, parents, doctors, diabetes educators and even nonmedical professionals, such as coaches and schoolteachers. It's important for these people to simply know that your child has diabetes. They also need to understand any special needs the child may have for managing it, such as the need for a snack, or an opportunity to check their blood sugar during the school day, or at a game or practice, etc.

Resources to Help

A great resource for kids with diabetes is diabetes camp. These camps, located across the country, are a great way for kids with diabetes to enjoy all of the regular fun of summer camp, while meeting other kids with diabetes and learning how to better manage the disease. Diabetes camps also offer parents some much-needed time off from their own duties in the daily management of their child's condition, as many of the camp counselors and personnel are trained diabetes health care professionals.

There are also annual diabetes conferences and Web sites. For example, the nonprofit organization Taking Control of Your Diabetes and the online community offer conferences that provide opportunities for parents and their children to meet and hear from top physicians, educators, celebrities and others to learn about the latest in diabetes care and research in an environment that's fun for both the kids and their families.

Web sites can offer helpful information for parents and kids. On

New Tools Available

In addition to the resources and communities available to people with diabetes, it's important for parents and kids to take advantage of the technology that's available to help ease some of the burdens of diabetes management.

"It's really important to have a good blood glucose meter, and thanks to technological advances, blood sugar testing has become easy and convenient," says Lance Porter, editor in chief of the magazine Diabetes Positive!

Porter notes that parents should consider a small, simple blood glucose meter for their child. One example he cites is the OneTouch(r) UltraMini™ System. "This meter provides an accurate result in just five seconds, and its small size makes it easy for kids to handle and take with them in their pocket or school backpack."

The meter now also comes in a variety of colors, which may be fun for kids.

For kids who need insulin, living with diabetes does not have to mean a lifetime of injections, scheduled meals and prearranged activities. An insulin pump, an alternative to daily injections, has been shown to provide better blood glucose control-plus a freer, more flexible life. With insulin pump therapy, kids can sleep late, eat when they want and play on their schedule.

"Again, technology has come to our aid here," says Porter. "Pumps are great because they eliminate the need to inject yourself with a syringe multiple times a day and they offer the user flexibility with their schedule."

One of the newest devices, the Animas(r) 2020 Insulin Pump, has a number of features, including a color screen and customized 500-food database right in the pump. This makes it easier to dose insulin more accurately, right on the spot, to compensate for whatever food is eaten. This is great news for kids, whose eating habits are not always very structured. The pump is also waterproof, making it easy for kids to enjoy swimming and other water activities.