With a blink of an eye, summer is over, and it's that time of year again—back to school! It can be an exciting season, with children reuniting with their friends and returning to their academic journey, but it might not be the same for everyone. If your child needs to self-catheterize, it's normal to feel some anxiety or stress. However, rather than focusing on the negative, now is the time to help kids gain the confidence to use their catheters independently at school. Here, we'll go over some helpful advice for children (and their parents) about going back to school with catheters.
10 Tips to Help Your Children Use Catheters with Confidence at School
The independence that children experience at school is a great opportunity for personal development and growth. But, when your child needs to utilize pediatric catheterization, parents might start worrying about hygiene, bullying, and whether their child is ready. In reality, if your child can self-catheterize at home, they can do it at school! To help ease the transition, here are a few tips to support your child's return to school.
1. Ensure Your Child Knows How to Perform Self-Catheterization Safely
Before returning to school, your child will need to know how to insert a catheter into their urethra safely. Although they may be a little scared at first, try to speak to them in a way that reframes the insertion routine as a part of their regular daily routine. You may need to explain to them that not everyone needs to drain urine using a catheter but that it's okay to be different. Normalizing catheter use is a great way to help them gain confidence and reduce the chances that they feel alone or isolated.
Instead, focus on the positives about catheter use—that it keeps them healthy and feeling their best. Show them how to safely insert and remove a pediatric catheter, including washing your hands before and after. Then, give them enough time to practice before it's time to go to school.
2. Stress the Importance of Clean Intermittent Self-Catheterization
When passing the responsibility onto your child, make sure that you explain the importance of cleanliness during catheterization. You can briefly mention the risk of urinary tract infections but try not to frame it in a way that scares them or causes anxiety. Instead, focus on washing their hands and wiping the insertion area to help avoid unnecessary germs. If you're helping your child, make sure that you follow the appropriate hand hygiene as well to avoid any contamination of the insertion supplies or UTIs.
3. Put Children in Control of Their Catheterization Schedule
Once they've had extensive practice and are feeling confident about their ability to self-catheterize, put them in control of their daily routine. Help them understand that they need to empty their bladders at certain intervals throughout the day and give them the responsibility to do it independently. When you frame it in a positive way, it can help your child feel a sense of pride for gaining this responsibility. It also ensures that they stick to their schedule and lowers the chances of experiencing urinary incontinence accidents at school.
4. Make a Visit to the School
Before your child's first day back, make some time to stop by the school. During your visit, try to speak with all the adults who will be present when your child is on campus. This should include your child's primary teacher, any additional teachers for days with alternative schedules, the school nurse, and administrators. During the conversation, let them know about your child's condition and how they need to use a catheter to go to the bathroom. You can go into as much or as little detail as you feel comfortable with. Just make sure that they understand this is the only way your child can empty their bladder without experiencing incontinence.
You should also stress the importance of discretion and how your child may need to ask to go to the bathroom more often or during inconvenient times. If your doctor has prescribed an intermittent cathing schedule, let the school know to avoid any issues. Still, remind the teachers that using a catheter tube is private and should not be mentioned in front of other students.
Finally, ask about storing extra supplies in the nurse's office in case of an emergency. Some schools may be accommodating without needing additional documentation, but it's best to provide them with a doctor's note regardless, as many will require it.
5. Find a Good Bag for Catheter Supplies
Many kids get excited about back-to-school shopping, and having the right storage bag for catheter supplies can make a world of difference. So, make it a joint effort and look for something discreet, easy to carry, and large enough to hold all the necessary supplies. Ideally, it should be a smaller backpack or pouch that can fit inside their school bag. Choosing a bag that blends in with your child’s style or matches their school gear is also a good idea so they don’t feel self-conscious carrying it around. Ask them what they like and give them the option to choose. Then, practice organizing supplies and restocking every night before bed.
6. Pack Discreet Disposal Bags
To help maintain privacy, you may also want to pack discreet disposal bags with their catheter supplies. If there are no trash bins in the stall, your child can place the used catheter into the disposal bag, seal it, and throw it away in the restroom bin without drawing unwanted attention. This simple step can significantly reduce their anxiety about catheter disposal and keep them focused on their school day.
7. Talk to Your Doctor About Upgrading Their Pediatric Catheter
As your child grows, their catheter needs may change. If it's been a while since you've checked in with your doctor, now might be a good time to discuss whether an upgrade to a different type or size of catheter is appropriate. Some catheters are designed for easier use, with features like hydrophilic coatings that make them smoother and less painful to insert or compact designs that are more discreet and easier to carry. Your doctor can recommend the best options that fit your child’s current needs and lifestyle, making the catheterization process at school much more comfortable and manageable.
8. Create a Plan for Emergencies
Even with the best preparation, emergencies can happen. Whether it’s a misplaced catheter, an unexpected need for supplies, or a medical concern, a plan will help your child handle the situation calmly. Work with your child to devise a step-by-step plan for different scenarios—such as what to do if they run out of catheters or experience discomfort during catheterization. Make sure they know who to go to for help, whether it’s the school nurse, a teacher, or an administrator. Every so often, review the plan to ensure they feel confident in handling any unexpected situations.
9. Check-In With Your Children Regularly
After your child has returned to school, it’s important to keep the lines of communication open. Regularly check in with them to see how they feel about using their catheter at school. Ask them if they’ve encountered any challenges, whether they feel comfortable with the routine, and if they need help with anything. If they mention that their catheters cause pain or discomfort, talk to your doctor about adjusting the size or changing brands. It’s also a good idea to check in with the school staff periodically to ensure that everything is going smoothly on their end.
10. Have Plenty of Pediatric Catheter Supplies on Hand
Heading back to school is often an exciting time filled with new outfits, school supplies, and shoes. To help your child prepare for the big day, it's a good idea to stock up on plenty of supplies to support their intermittent catheterization needs during those first few weeks.
To help reduce the financial strain associated with these supplies, Byram Healthcare partners with Medicare, Medicaid, and most private insurance providers to help you navigate the intricate process of obtaining insurance-covered urologic products like catheters. Medicaid guidelines for catheter coverage require documentation and a prescription from your doctor, while managed Medicaid plans require a slightly different approach. You can often get reimbursement for intermittent catheters with several types of insurance.
Byram Healthcare is available to help you navigate the insurance process. We work to provide a better patient financial experience because we’re in-network with over 260 million covered lives. This translates to lower co-pays and deductibles. Browse our high-quality urologic products today.
