Latest news & articles

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA): signs, causes and treatment

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a serious complication of type 1 diabetes. It’s the result of very high blood sugar and low insulin levels, which causes ketones to build up in the blood. Left untreated, DKA can be life threatening. Learn more about the early signs of DKA, its causes, how to help prevent it, and […]

Sharing food decisions with your child who lives with T1D

As your child gets older and becomes more independent, it’s completely normal for them to want to be able to make more and more choices in life, whether that be what they wear, the music they listen to, or the foods they eat. And that’s the same for every child, no matter their type 1 […]

Your growing teen, an increasing appetite, and type 1 diabetes

Being a parent of a teenager means bigger kids, bigger sleep-ins – and bigger grocery bills. Growing bodies need fuel, and teens are renowned for their increased appetites. It’s just a part of life for families with an adolescent! But if your teen lives with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and you find them gazing into […]

When your teen is dishonest about their diabetes care

Teens who live with T1D can sometimes be dishonest about their numbers or their boluses – and they know how to manipulate their blood glucose monitors, too. But they don’t do it to be bad. They do it to try to protect you. They don’t want you to worry. Read on to learn how to […]

Counting carbs and type 1 diabetes: FAQs

Counting carbohydrates (carbs) is one of the major parts of type 1 diabetes (T1D) management. It can feel overwhelming at first, but as you develop your confidence (and find a few good cheat sheets to make your favourites easier to carb count), it can become second nature. Before we get started, remember this: carbs are […]

School and your child’s type 1 diabetes: a checklist for parents

The start of a school year can be a challenging time for children and families with new routines, teachers and friendships to balance. Throw type 1 diabetes (T1D) into the mix and it can get a little hectic! Whether your child is starting kindy or they’re further along their infant or primary school journey, being […]

Preschool and your child’s type 1 diabetes: what you need to know 

Preschools and early learning centres are wonderful places that help your child meet developmental milestones, build valuable social skills and prepare for ‘big’ school. But we know that for many parents, sending a child who lives with type 1 diabetes (T1D) to preschool can be stressful. With the right support of educators and preschool staff, […]

Teen rebellion and your child’s type 1 diabetes care

For parents of adolescents, any kind of rebellion causes angst. For teens who live with type 1 diabetes (T1D), these years of beginning to feel the power of freedom can have an entirely different taste than they do for teens without diabetes. Read on to learn more about adolescents rebelling against their diabetes care, including […]

Videos: Type 1 diabetes technology explained

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) technology is advancing as researchers make breakthroughs in treatment and management. Whether you’re new to the world of T1D, or just want to learn more about how the newest tech devices work, we have resources to help you understand it all. Our friends at JDRF UK have created four explainer videos […]

All about insulin pumps

When you start your type 1 diabetes journey you’ll be thrown into a whole new world – one that seemingly has its own vocabulary and devices you’ve never heard of. You can find explanations on many commonly used T1D words and phrases in our T1Dictionary, and videos on popular devices here – and read on […]

Disordered eating in teens living with T1D

There’s no doubt that a type 1 diabetes (T1D) diagnosis changes a person’s relationship with food. Many people living with T1D will never look at a plate of food without some sort of mental arithmetic, and of course you’ll often face that annoying question: “Are you sure you’re allowed to eat that?” But we also […]

Snack and lunch ideas for kids living with T1D

As a parent it’s easy to feel uninspired in the kitchen from time to time. Trying to think of meal and snack ideas that are quick and easy to prepare, affordable AND healthy can be really tricky. And when your child lives with type 1 diabetes it can sometimes feel extra difficult to tick all […]

Plant-based, gluten-free burgers that are T1D friendly, too

Try a T1D-friendly spicy black bean burger recipe, created by clinical nutritionist @naturally_nina_, who also lives with diabetes. These yummy morsels are plant-based, gluten free and are great for burger night, on sandwiches and wraps or even just by themselves. There’s also many ways you can adapt this recipe to fit in with your needs. If […]

Navigating the high school years with type 1 diabetes

When children with type 1 diabetes (T1D) become teens, parents have to balance the fast pace of high school with new social activities and more independence. It’s certainly not easy, but it can be done! Read an extract from JDRF’s Teen Toolkit, a guide for parents of teens living with T1D, for useful strategies for […]

11 tips to help support your teen living with T1D

Dr Adriana Ventura is a nationally registered psychologist who worked as a Research Fellow at the Australian Centre for Behavioural Research in Diabetes (ACBRD) for six years. You can read part one of her advice for raising a teen living with type 1 diabetes here. Read on for 11 tips to help support you child […]

Parenting a teen who lives with T1D: Tips for preserving your relationship

Raising a teenager (or tween) who lives with type 1 diabetes? You probably have questions about how you can preserve – and even strengthen – your relationship with your child while balancing their health concerns and T1D management. After all, the pressure of normal teen development is hard enough, before adding in the self-awareness, restraint […]

Supporting your teen through the challenges of T1D

Adolescence comes with its own set of new challenges for any parent, but what is it like if your teenager also has type 1 diabetes (T1D)? Dr Adriana Ventura spoke at JDRF’s Type One Summit on the psychological impacts of T1D during the teenage years including diabetes burnout, planning their transition of care, and lots […]

Driving and type 1 diabetes: what the law says, and tips to keep in mind