Objective To explore effective methods to improve the level of glycemic control, self-management ability and quality of life of school-age children with type 1 diabetes.Methods A total of 90 school-aged children with type 1 diabetes were divided into 45 cases each in a control group and an intervention group according to admission time.The control group was given routine health education, while the intervention group was additionally given the ADOPT （Attitude, Definition, Open mind, Planning, Trying） model combined with Diabetes Self-management Education and Support (DSMES) program.The blood glucose level, self-management ability and quality of life were compared between the two groups before the intervention, 1 month and 3 months after discharge.Results There were 44 patients in the control group and 42 patients in the intervention group had completed the study.The fasting blood glucose, 2h postprandial blood glucose, self-management ability and quality of life (except school performance) of the children in the intervention group were statistically significant in time effects, inter-group effects and interaction effects (all P＜0.05).After 3 months of discharge, the glycosylated hemoglobin in the intervention group was significantly lower than that in the control group （P＜0.05）.Conclusion ADOPT model combined with DSMES program can improve the level of glycemic control, self-management ability and quality of life of children diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.