May 15, 2024 Update:
Due to the overwhelming response, we are at capacity for the initial print run of the Handbook. We encourage you to submit your information in the form below, and we will provide an update on a second print run in Fall 2024.
The Handbooks available at no cost to nurse practitioners, pediatricians, and asthma specialists practicing in Illinois. It is our hope they will provide a copy to parents and caregivers of children newly diagnosed with asthma and other families they believe might benefit from the information. Please fill out the form below to receive your copies.
What is the Asthma Caregiver’s Handbook?The Asthma Caregiver’s Handbook is a compendium of resources for parents, guardians, and other caregivers of children with asthma. The Handbook includes 19 chapters organized into 4 sections, plus appendices:
- The Introduction presents basic information about asthma and the respiratory system.
- Managing Your Child’s Asthma addresses how to manage asthma symptoms, asthma action plans, asthma treatment, how to respond to an asthma emergency, asthma triggers and how to manage them, keeping homes asthma-safe, and asthma and food allergies.
- Supporting Your Child with Asthma provides caregivers with guidance for talking to their child about asthma; empowering their child’s self-care; asthma, smoking and vaping; and preparing their child for day care, school, and college and adulthood.
- Other Tips for Caregivers shares how caregivers can care for themselves, tips from other caregivers, and a doctor’s answers to common questions.
- The appendices are rich with tools and resources ranging from a day care provider checklist and how to clean spacers and inhalers to word searches and other activities for children with asthma.
Note for those residing outside Illinois:
Currently, the handbook is only available at no cost to caregivers residing in Illinois. In the coming months, it will be made available for a cost (to cover printing and shipping) for caregivers living outside of Illinois. By the end of 2024, we hope to have it available on the RHA website, RespHealth.org.
