It is important that children and young people with asthma, and their families, understand the condition. Their doctor or nurse should provide information and support about asthma. Children and young people should receive regular asthma education, either in school or via their GP or asthma nurse.
Resources and support are available to parents and carers wanting to find out more about asthma and help their child learn to understand their asthma.
There’s a wealth of information, support and practical tips on Asthma + Lung UK’s web section dedicated to parents looking after children with asthma. It’s been created with asthma clinicians and parents to answer the most common and thorny questions. There’s information on everything from using inhalers and medicines, to getting a diagnosis, dealing with disrupted sleep, to talking to your child’s school.
You can download free PDF resources – such as the Child Asthma Action Plan.
NHS England London’s digital asthma action plans can be found here:
PAAP 4 – 11 years black & white, PAAP 4 – 11 years colour, PAAP 12 – 18 years black & white, PAAP 12 – 18 years colour, MART 12-18 years, AIR 12-18 years
Asthma and Wheeze – how to keep your child well, has been developed by Barts Health.
Asthma & Wheeze NEL Booklet – This patient information booklet, developed by North East London ICB, highlights what asthma and wheeze are, how medication works, how to use a spacer and what to do when symptoms are worse. They are provided 15 different languages and can be shared with patients to help reinforce and support their asthma management
Parents can chat to friendly expert asthma nurses on the free Asthma + Lung UK Helpline by calling 0300 222 5800 Monday to Friday 9-5. They can chat to other parents in the discussion forum. They can also sign up to a monthly email newsletter. By ticking that they are parents in the ‘preference centre’ they will get more tailored tips and ideas.
Owning my asthma is designed for 14 to 19 year olds. It has enhanced self-management online advice and information.
Asthma innovation and Research team run a schools programme providing asthma education through training medical students. They have also developed some useful resources for children including the Asthmanauts comic book intending to help children with asthma learn more about their condition and how to use their inhalers. Parents and carers can help their child complete the comic book.
The Asthma Control Test provides a score to help parents, young people and their clinicians manage their care.
Organisations and websites
Asthma + Lung UK offers expert information and advice.
Speak to an asthma nurse specialist on their helpline at 0300 222 5800. Follow Asthma + Lung UK on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter).
British Lung Foundation – You can call their helpline on 03000 030 555. Follow them on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter).
Resources on the NHS website
Educational and informative videos
Asthma4children
Books to buy or borrow
Fact sheets
National Institute for Health Research
Other interesting online journals and research
The BHR leaflets above are produced by Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust, are a useful resource for the parents of children who have been seen in hospital for an asthma attack or wheeze.