"Diabetes and Puberty: A Glycemic Challenge" (July) did a great job of describing the challenges faced by teenagers who have type 1 diabetes.

Both the patient and family need to be prepared for the complications adolescence can bring. Family-focused care that encourages shared care responsibilities among parents and children and includes strategies to avoid conflict has been shown to improve the care of older children with diabetes.1

During a clinical rotation in a pediatric endocrine clinic for my master's degree program, I saw that driving could be used as a motivating factor for teens. In order to obtain and keep their driver's license, they had to sign a contract agreeing to maintain normal blood sugar levels, keep a snack in the car, and wear a medic alert bracelet. If the teens didn't comply with this contract, their driver's licenses were revoked.

Elizabeth Hainan, BSN, RN, CPN

Apollo, PA

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