Food Allergies in Schools




askgeorgie.com 6/24/2013

 

Food Allergies Stink! 

I found out I'm allergic to wheat in 2008.  Then this year I had digestive issues again. My intuition again said it had to be something I was eating.  Back to the allergist, more testing, and now it's even worse!  I am allergic to . . . chocolate! .  Oh well, there are worse things in life. One of those worse things in life, in my opinion, is for children to have severe food allergies.  Children don't deserve this! 

Food allergies single us out at any social event because we can't just "go out for pizza."  Students with peanut allergies can't go to baseball games because there are peanuts sold there and peanut shells everywhere.  How fair is that??

 

Schools have cafeterias, and parties, and snacks, and birthday treats, and kids who like to trade food. 

 How will you and your child navigate the world of food allergies in school? 

As carefully and assertively as you need to. 

 

With all the food allergies school personnel  are usually aware  of how to handle and respect food allergies or medical conditions affecting diet (diabetes, celiac's disease, etc.).  However, the first thing you have to do  in order for you school staff to help your child is to tell them. Please start with the school nurse and your child's teacher. 

Please also let them know how severe your child's allergy is.  For example, some children with peanut allergies can't eat nuts, but can be around them.  Others can't be anywhere near them or they will stop breathing.  I've seen a teacher with a nut free zone sign on their classroom doors eating almonds while the students were out of the room.  That may be ok for some students, but may be very dangerous for others.  We need to know that. 

 Finding a teacher with a food allergy or other dietary condition or a teacher whose child has a food allergy helps.  As much as we want everyone to understand and be cautious, those of us living with it understand it far more than those who don't live with it. 



lasotaslittlelearners.blogspot.com 6/24/2013

Another way to be proactive and help your child and the school is to offer to make a sign such as this one from lasotaslittlelearners.blogspot.com to post on your child's classroom door.

Your child's teacher should be able to let parents know what not to send to school with their children for snacks, birthday treats, etc. without revealing your child's name.  However, parents are busy and forget.  You may want to send some safe snacks to school for your child.  Ask your child's teacher what the best plan for that is. . . storing them in the classroom or in the nurse's office, etc. 

 

 

As you know with anything, communication is the key. 
We need to know in order to help your child.