Peak flow and technique in children

Just wondering for those with older children at what rough age your child was able to get an accurate recording of their peak flow? My eldest asthmatic has his asthma review in the new year and at last years attempt he just couldn't get it.

He is now 5, almost 6.

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Hello!

My son managed to get q good pf reading at his last asthma review q few months ago he was nearly 6.

It has really helped his technique watching me do it (asthma nurse was very surprised how well he did it) so might be worth practicing together at home.

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Thanks for the quick reply. I think we shall add some breathing technique homework in over Christmas and see how we go.

Out of interest, what spacer does your son use at the moment?

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He's just moved on from the mini one with the mask and teddy bears to q volumatic.

Again I think seeing me use mine (a lot!!) has helped.

Good lucl with the homework!

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Hi

when I asked about my daughter learning to do peak flows she was aged 5 and was told that at that sort of age children can struggle with the correct technique. However, if they are very co-operative and willing you can start to teach them from about the age of 6. She has sucessfully being doing them on a daily basis for over 3 years. My only comment is that she sometimes doesn't do them properly and just to be aware whether it is their asthma or them playing games! Good luck, something we were taught on an asthma weekend to encourage correct technique was a game called maltesar flow, I can't remember all the details but the adviceline may be able to guide you.

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Thanks mummyj. Luckily he has great control and doesn't often have any symptoms so it's not critical at the moment but it'd be useful to be able to get him usedt doing it from a young age.

Thanks for the tip.

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Well we've been practicing a bit. Not as much as possible as he's had a chest infection but he had his asthma review today and did a great job with the peak flow device so we've got one for home now.

Thanks for the replies.