CHAPTER 21 · GROWING UP WITH DIABETES

TAKING CHARGE — WHAT IS TRANSITION

Your diabetes, your routine — built up step by step over the years.

Growing up with diabetes means gaining the knowledge, skills, and support you need to manage it independently. It might seem overwhelming, but transition happens slowly over years — you won’t be on your own all of a sudden.

Building skills for independence

Transition usually begins around age 12 or 13, but people don’t switch from a pediatric endocrinologist to an adult one until age 18 to 20. During these years, your medical team will guide you and practice with you the skills you need to manage diabetes on your own.

📚 Knowledge basics

Understand what diabetes is and how insulin works
Know how to manage diabetes in different situations
Know when to seek emergency support
Try practicing with “what if” games at dinner or in the car with a parent

🥗 Nutrition

Estimate food portions and carb intake
Calculate carbs and insulin doses, and correction doses (more in Chapter 11: Nutrition & Carb Counting)
Read food labels with confidence
Make smart choices when eating out

🎉 Social situations

Learn to manage diabetes outside your regular daily routine — during camps, vacations, trips, when going out
Reduce the risk of hypo- and hyperglycemia — keep an emergency kit ready
Take responsibility by checking blood sugar outside your usual routine (e.g., before driving)

⚽ Sports and exercise

Inform coaches about your diabetes
Let them know what to do in case of hypoglycemia

🏥 Medical appointments and supplies

Know how to contact your medical team
Schedule and reschedule your own medical appointments
Set reminders for appointments
Order and pick up medication and insulin pump supplies
Prepare questions before check-ups

💉 Daily management

Calculate insulin doses based on carb intake
Calculate correction doses when needed (more in Chapter 13: Managing Highs & Lows)
Handle hypo- and hyperglycemia (blood sugar too low or too high)
Change your infusion sets and pump on your own

Before you go — this chapter is for general information and isn’t medical advice. Your medical team knows you best, so always check with them about your own targets, treatment, and any changes to your routine.