The child with diabetes mellitus.

Parents, other family members, and health care professionals play an important role in the life of a child who has diabetes. The parents especially are constantly called upon to help make judgments regarding a child's diabetes management. As a child gets older, parents do not make as many of these judgments directly but are available to help the child make his own judgments. Even when a child starts to gain more independence and take over more aspects of his diabetes management, the need for ever-present support is still there. It may not be apparent at times but parents, other family members, and health care professionals must remember that the support is always needed.