School days are rapidly approaching.
If you're sending a food allergic student to school there's more to consider than school supplies and new clothes.
Along with academic and social learning experiences, schools can pose myriad potential hazards.
Recess, lunch time, birthday celebrations, cooking activities, and school outings are all potentially problematic.
Take the time to think about how these situations can be navigated safely.
Successful allergy management requires a coordinated effort between students, teachers, parents, and school administrative staff.
There are state and federal guidelines(such as ADA) for schools as well.
Unfortunately, many schools are not sufficiently prepared to meet the needs of food allergic students.
Allergens ingested during school hours are typically eaten during birthday parties, holiday celebrations, craft and science projects, bus rides, and field trips.
Most allergic students don't even have a treatment plan in place.
Treatment is often delayed while administrators call parents for consent.
Another troubling scenario is bullying.
Bullying a food allergic student with their allergen can potentially be catastrophic.
While these issues are disturbing, there is much that can be done to change outcomes.
While reactive plans (what to do when an allergic reaction is suspected) are critical, a proactive strategy can hopefully prevent a reaction.
A school wide allergy awareness initiative as well as a bullying prevention program should be implemented.
Students and staff should be made aware of the severity of food allergies.
School personnel should be familiar with identifying signs of an allergic reaction (for students who have already been diagnosed as well as ones having their first reaction at school).
They should also be trained in response and treatment measures (including administration of epinephrine).
While schools have an enormous responsibility caring for allergic students, they share this responsibility with the parents.
Parents should have emergency action plans in place for their children (that include allergies, signs of reaction, medications, contact numbers, and informed consent).
At times, a 504 plan may be appropriate (if the food-allergic reaction is considered disabling according to ADA guidelines).
Parents should provide school with multiple epinephrine auto-injectors and bottles of antihistamines( with dosing cups) so that they're readily accessible throughout the school building.
Stocking the classroom with food allergy safe snacks (preferably non-perishable) will keep the food allergy student well supplied during birthday parties and other food activities.
Clear and consistent communication between parents and school personnel is critical.
Upcoming school trips, birthday parties, holiday celebrations should talked about in advance to prevent accidental allergen ingestion during these non-routine activities.
Taking the time before school starts to develop strategies for food allergy management can make all the difference.
A strong partnership between student, parent, and school can make a huge difference in successful year even with food allergies.
If you're sending a food allergic student to school there's more to consider than school supplies and new clothes.
Along with academic and social learning experiences, schools can pose myriad potential hazards.
Recess, lunch time, birthday celebrations, cooking activities, and school outings are all potentially problematic.
Take the time to think about how these situations can be navigated safely.
Successful allergy management requires a coordinated effort between students, teachers, parents, and school administrative staff.
There are state and federal guidelines(such as ADA) for schools as well.
Unfortunately, many schools are not sufficiently prepared to meet the needs of food allergic students.
Allergens ingested during school hours are typically eaten during birthday parties, holiday celebrations, craft and science projects, bus rides, and field trips.
Most allergic students don't even have a treatment plan in place.
Treatment is often delayed while administrators call parents for consent.
Another troubling scenario is bullying.
Bullying a food allergic student with their allergen can potentially be catastrophic.
While these issues are disturbing, there is much that can be done to change outcomes.
While reactive plans (what to do when an allergic reaction is suspected) are critical, a proactive strategy can hopefully prevent a reaction.
A school wide allergy awareness initiative as well as a bullying prevention program should be implemented.
Students and staff should be made aware of the severity of food allergies.
School personnel should be familiar with identifying signs of an allergic reaction (for students who have already been diagnosed as well as ones having their first reaction at school).
They should also be trained in response and treatment measures (including administration of epinephrine).
While schools have an enormous responsibility caring for allergic students, they share this responsibility with the parents.
Parents should have emergency action plans in place for their children (that include allergies, signs of reaction, medications, contact numbers, and informed consent).
At times, a 504 plan may be appropriate (if the food-allergic reaction is considered disabling according to ADA guidelines).
Parents should provide school with multiple epinephrine auto-injectors and bottles of antihistamines( with dosing cups) so that they're readily accessible throughout the school building.
Stocking the classroom with food allergy safe snacks (preferably non-perishable) will keep the food allergy student well supplied during birthday parties and other food activities.
Clear and consistent communication between parents and school personnel is critical.
Upcoming school trips, birthday parties, holiday celebrations should talked about in advance to prevent accidental allergen ingestion during these non-routine activities.
Taking the time before school starts to develop strategies for food allergy management can make all the difference.
A strong partnership between student, parent, and school can make a huge difference in successful year even with food allergies.