Empowering Your Child to Feel Comfortable Discussing Their Health Condition with Friends and Classmates

Using stories, play, and confidence-building to help kids share and connect

For children with asthma, eczema, allergies, or other health conditions, navigating conversations with friends can be tricky. They may worry about being different or about how others will react. As a parent or caregiver, you can empower your child to share about their condition in a way that makes them feel more confident and comfortable.

Here’s how to help them open up—at their own pace—while fostering understanding among their peers.

1. Help Them Feel Well Informed

Before your child can explain their condition to others, they first need to feel confident in their own understanding. Talk to them about their condition in age-appropriate terms, explaining what it is, what it means for their daily life, and how they can manage it. This knowledge not only builds self-assurance but also empowers them to answer friends’ questions without feeling overwhelmed.

2. Use Simple Honest Language 

Kids don’t need complicated medical jargon. Instead, help your child come up with a short explanation that they can use with friends. The goal is to make their condition understandable without overwhelming details. For example:

• Asthma: “Sometimes my chest gets tight and it is hard for me to breathe, so I use a medicine that I inhale to help me feel better.”
• Eczema: “That soap makes my skin get itchy and red so I need to use a different one instead.”
• Food Allergies: “I can’t eat peanuts because they make me very sick, so I bring my own snacks.”

3. Use Play and Creativity

Young children often process and communicate better through play. Use dolls, stuffed animals, or drawings to act out scenarios where a “character” has a similar condition. This helps normalize their experience and gives them safe practice in explaining it.

4. Teach That It’s Okay to Keep Some Things Private

While openness can be helpful, it’s equally important for your child to know they do not have to share everything. Their health information is personal, and it’s okay to keep certain details private. Give them scripts they can use when they’d rather not answer:

• “Thanks for asking, but I don’t want to talk about that right now.”
  
• “I’m okay, but I’d rather keep that private.”

Reassure your child that saying “no” to a question is not rude—it’s a way of setting healthy boundaries. Let them know you support their decision about what they choose to share and when.

5. Prepare for Common Questions

Friends might ask things like, “Can I catch it?” or “Does it hurt?” Help your child prepare simple answers ahead of time. Knowing what to say helps them stay calm and confident during real conversations.

6. Reinforce Strength and Positivity

Remind your child that their health condition doesn’t define them—it’s just one part of who they are. Celebrate their courage in talking about it (or setting boundaries around it), and point out the ways they’re responsible, strong, and adaptable.

Download our free quick reference Communication Card to use at home: Communication Card

Final Thought:
When children can explain their health condition with confidence, they not only educate others—they learn to advocate for themselves. These skills will serve them far beyond the playground.