For Parents

Five important things you can do to help your child manage his or her asthma:

• If your child is 4 to 11 years old, have him or her take the Childhood Asthma Control Test* periodically to help determine whether his or her asthma symptoms are well controlled, and share the results with your child’s healthcare provider. If your child is 12 years or older, have them take the Asthma Control Test™
• Know what your child’s asthma triggers are and how to minimize exposure to them
• Make sure your child is using the right medication at the right time. Know which medicines are for long-term control and which are for quick relief of sudden symptoms. Also make sure you and your child know how to use each inhaler properly
• Work with your child’s healthcare provider to create an Asthma Action Plan that explains what steps to take if asthma symptoms worsen. Share it with your child’s school and other caregivers
  
• Make sure that other caregivers—sitters, teachers, school nurses, camp counselors, coaches, and so on—understand your child’s condition, what his or her triggers are, which medications he or she needs and when, and how the medications should be given

• His or her asthma triggers and how to minimize exposure to them
• How to take prescribed asthma medicines and the differences between them
• His or her Asthma Action Plan and steps to take if asthma symptoms worsen

Assess your child’s comfort with using medicines and devices. When appropriate, encourage your child to ask their provider any questions or concerns they may be having about their asthma. This may help your child feel a part of their healthcare team.