Supporting Your Teen Through a T1D Diagnosis
Hearing that your teenager has been diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) can be overwhelming, emotional and even scary. As parents, you may be filled with questions, concerns and fears about how this diagnosis will affect your child’s life. Here’s the good news- with the right support, education and mindset, your teen can live a full, happy and successful life.
You’re Not Alone
First and foremost, take a deep breath. Thousands of families navigate life with T1D everyday. Medical advancements, technology and support networks make it easier than ever to manage this condition. You and your teen are not alone on this journey.
Learning Together
The first few months after diagnosis are filled with learning- carb counting, insulin doses, monitoring blood sugar, recognising highs and lows. It can feel like a lot to you and your teen, but remember- no one expects you to know everything overnight. Take it one day at a time.
Here are some helpful tips for you and your teen
Get educated- Work closely with your teen’s diabetes care team, ask questions and take advantage of resources such as JDRF (now Breakthrough T1D UK) and Diabetes UK. Your child’s hospital team should also have valuable resources on their website to support.
Encourage independence- While your teen needs your support, it’s important to let them take the lead in managing their diabetes as they grow. Help them build confidence in checking blood sugar, dosing insulin, weighing food, counting carbs and making healthy choices.
Technology is your friend- Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), insulin pumps and diabetes apps can make management easier and provide peace of mind. If your teen is open to it, explore these options together.
Simple, Repeatable Routines
Routines are important in diabetes management. They can help build confidence, ease stress and make daily diabetes management feel more manageable and empowering. Here are 10 easy, foundational routines that a teenager can get down early on:
Morning Blood Sugar Check
Routine: Check BG first thing in the morning, before eating or drinking
Why: Sets the tone for the day and helps guide decisions around breakfast and insulin
Count Carbs with Each Meal
Routine: Use apps like MyFitnessPal, Carbs & Cals or food labels to estimate carbs before meals and snacks
Why: Builds confidence in carb-counting for accurate insulin dosing
Pre-Meal Insulin Timing
Routine: Take fast-acting insulin 20 minutes before meals, once the carb count is known
Why: Helps prevent post-meal spikes. Teens can set phone reminders at meal times, if needed
Log Blood Sugars, Carbs & Insulin
Routine: Keep a daily log (notebook or app) of blood glucose readings, insulin doses, meals and physical activity. Diabetes apps can help with this.
Why: Helps spot patterns and builds independence. Easy to share with the diabetes team
Pack a Daily Diabetes Kit
Routine: Always carry a small pouch with:
Glucose meter or CGM receiver/phone
Insulin pens/ pump supplies
Fast-acting sugar (like glucose tabs or jelly babies)
Spare batteries/infusion sets (if applicable)
Why: Being prepared= less anxiety and fewer emergencies
After School Snack Check
Routine: Check blood sugar before any after school snack or activity
Why: Keeps blood sugar stable before sport, study or rest time
Hypo Response Plan
Routine: Memorise the “15-15 rule”
Eat 15g of fast acting carbs (eg, 150ml juice or 3-4 glucose tabs)
Wait 15 minutes, then recheck blood sugar
Why: Builds self-trust and reduces fear around hypos
Bedtime BG Check
Routine: Check BG before bed
If below 6.0 mmol/L, have a small carb snack, if needed
Why: Helps reduce the risk of overnight lows
Daily Check-In with a Parent or Carer
Routine: Spend 5 minutes reviewing the day- any highs, lows or questions
Why: Keeps communication open and builds a support network
Take Time to Chill
Routine: Make time daily for mental health- music, journalling, talking to a friend or just zoning out
Why: Living with T1D is emotional. A mental reset helps prevent burnout.
Supporting Your Teen Emotionally
A diabetes diagnosis isn’t just physical- it’s emotional, too. Your teen may feel frustrated, different or even angry about the changes in their life. That’s normal.
Here’s how you can help
Acknowledge their feelings-Let them express frustration without judgement. Sometimes, just saying, “I know this is hard, and I’m here for you,” is enough.
Encourage peer support- Connecting with other teens who have T1D through support groups, social media or diabetes camps can be incredibly reassuring. Ask what support your teen’s hospital support team offers.
Normalise it- Help them see that diabetes doesn’t define them. They can still play sports, go to parties, travel and chase their dreams- they just have to plan a little more.
Be their advocate-Ensure their school, coaches and friends understand their needs. Work with your teens hospital team and school to create a Healthcare Plan (HCP) to ensure they get the accommodations they need.
The Family Adjustment
Diabetes doesn’t just affect your teen- it affects the whole family. Siblings may have concerns and mealtime routines may need adjustments. Keep communication open and try to make diabetes management a team effort rather than a burden on your teen.
Helpful Tips
Keep the kitchen T1D-friendly- Stock up on balanced, nutritious foods that the whole family can enjoy.
Create a routine- Consistency with meals, insulin and monitoring can make diabetes management smoother.
Celebrate the small wins- Managing T1D is tough! Celebrate when your teen reaches a goal, whether it’s remembering to check their blood sugar on their own or handling a low with confidence.
Hope for the Future
Your teen’s diagnosis is a major life change, but it does not limit their potential. Many professional athletes, musicians, doctors and entrepreneurs thrive with T1D. With time, support and the right mindset, diabetes will become just one part of their life- not the defining part.
Your teen is strong and resilient, and so are you. Take it one step at a time, and know that there is an incredible community and healthcare team ready to support you along the way.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, what’s one small thing you can do today to make things a little easier? Start there. You’ve got this.
