Gathering
school supplies, updating vaccines, and returning to a regular sleep schedule
are part of a long list of things that need to be done before sending kids back
to school. If your child also has a food allergy, preparing to go back to
school takes extra effort and due diligence. Here are some things you can do to
make sure your child's medical needs are met throughout the school year.
For Kids & Parents
Communicate
early and often: As a parent, it is your
responsibility to notify your child's school of his or her allergy. Provide the
school with medical documentation as well as clearly labeled medications and
instructions on how to use them. Keep the school updated on any episodes or
changes to your child's condition.
Have
a plan: Provide detailed written instructions
outlining what to do in case of an emergency. Be sure this information is not
only communicated to teachers, but also to those leading extra-curricular
programs or driving school buses. Plan to meet with the school nurse and
counselor to review your child's food allergy plan and make necessary
accommodations. The Food Allergy Research & Education Center offers a
downloadable Emergency Care Plan.
Know
your rights: Some states have laws
requiring schools and childcare facilities to adhere to certain guidelines to
protect children with food allergies. Whether or not your state has these
guidelines, it is against the law for your student to be excluded from
classroom or school-sponsored activities because of his or her condition.
Teach
self-management: Be sure your child is
educated about their allergy and knows how to communicate it to adults (to the
degree that can be expected, depending on their age). Older children and
adolescents can take more responsibility for their condition; teach teens to
read labels carefully, and check to see whether your child may be allowed to
carry their own epipen in case of emergency. For children of all ages, a medical
alert bracelet is always good idea.
For Schools &
Teachers
Avoid
allergens in class: Ideally, classrooms should
be kept food-free. If that isn't possible, encourage teachers to avoid using
foods that contain common allergens like nuts, milk, and soy as prizes or part
of classroom instruction.
Coordinate
care: Have a system for communicating
students' allergy information to teachers and other staff that need to know
about it. Making sure the process is the same for all students will ensure that
nobody gets overlooked.
Provide
training: Teach all staff to recognize symptoms
of an allergic reaction, and train them to administer epinephrine
auto-injectors. Consider specialized training for staff who work directly or
more often with students who have allergies.
Adopt
safe practices: Encourage staff and
students to wash their hands after handling food and to keep potential
allergens separate from other foods. Cafeteria kitchens should have designated
"allergen-free" areas; food service staff should read labels
carefully so that students know exactly what they are eating.
Address
emotional needs: The key terms in creating a
supportive environment for students with allergies are "safe" and
"inclusive." Try to make accommodations for these students in a way
that won't make them feel singled out. Teach other students about food
allergies and adopt a zero-tolerance policy for bullying.