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Asthma Education Program

While asthma is the most common chronic childhood disease, childhood asthma is treatable. With the right medications and action plan, a child with asthma can enjoy normal activities with few disruptions.

Mary Bridge Children’s Health Center is here to help families take charge of asthma. We offer an individualized education program for parents and care providers of children with asthma. The Asthma Education Program is an opportunity for children and families to learn how to cope with this chronic condition and increase their awareness, confidence, and self-management skills in dealing with asthma. Children eight years of age and older would also benefit from attending.

EARLY WARNING SIGNS

Every child with asthma has built-in early warning signs that signals when an asthma flare-up is about to begin. You and your children Take Charge by becoming experts in spotting the early signs of asthma that can be seen and heard.

What to listen for:

• Coughing (with or without a cold)
• Coughing at night
• Frequent clearing of the throat
• Wheezing, however light
• Irregular breathing
• Noisy, difficult breathing

HOW DOES THE PROGRAM WORK?

The program is aimed at parents who care for children with asthma. Children who are eight years old or older are encouraged to attend as well.

Asthma Education classes are held monthly with families attending a two-hour class session. Class schedule may vary. To schedule your class time, call the Mary Bridge Children’s Health Center Outpatient Clinic at 253-792-6630.

WHAT TO BRING TO CLASS

Families should bring any equipment and medications that their child with asthma is currently using.

WHAT WILL THE FAMILY LEARN?

Our Asthma Education program covers such topics as:

• the signs and symptoms of asthma
• identifying triggers
• asthma medications
• environmental irritant control measures
• prevention and treatment of asthma flare-ups

The information covered in our program was gathered from the American Lung Association, the National Institute of Health, the American Academy of Pediatrics, current medical literature and local asthma specialists.

THE MAJOR OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAM ARE:

• To increase the family’s knowledge of asthma
• To teach the family and child warning signs of asthma flare ups
• To help the family and child fully under stand how, when and why to use asthma medication
• How to use equipment, such as nebulizers, inhalers, spacers and peak flow meters
• To help families problem-solve with schools or care-providers, so the child can enjoy normal childhood activities
• To help families take charge of their child’s asthma
  

OUR GOALS ARE:

• To reduce asthma flare ups
• To avoid missed school days
• To increase use of care plan by better understanding asthma
• To partner with families and physicians
• For your child to be able to play and join in activities without coughing, wheezing or shortness of breath.

WHY IS THE PROGRAM NECESSARY?

A child with asthma has special needs that are best met by the child, parent, physician, and other care-providers all working together.

Locations

Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital
253-403-1400
317 Martin Luther King Jr. Way
Tacoma, WA 98405

Mary Bridge Pediatrics
253-792-6630

Olympia
3504 12th Ave. NE
Olympia, WA 98506

Puyallup
1803 South Meridian, Ste. B
Puyallup, WA 98371

Silverdale
1780 NW Myhre Road
Harlow Medical Bldg., Ste. G220
Silverdale, WA 98383