New backpacks, clothes, and school supplies - there’s a lot of thought that goes into your back-to-school planning. But when you have a child with food allergies, there can be a lot more trepidation about this exciting time of year.
From swapping snacks with classmates to field trips and parties in classrooms, there is a lot to consider when sending your child back into the classroom.
That’s why at SpoonfulONE we’re here to help alleviate some of your worries and help you send your little one off to school with confidence. Here are some of our favorite tips and tricks for managing food allergies in school.
Whether your little one is stepping into a classroom for the first time or is heading back for another school year and you need a refresher, follow along with our food allergy checklist for school:
Giving up some control over your child’s diet and nutrition can be a scary thing. You are not alone. Nearly two children out of every classroom have been diagnosed with food allergies, but with rising prevalence, comes rising access to resources and education.
Schools, classrooms, and cafeterias are more aware of food allergies than ever before, and are there to collaborate on how to keep your child safe and confident with food.
Many pediatricians provide a food allergy emergency treatment plan for parents. Also called a 504 plan, these plans include what foods your child is allergic to, the symptoms to recognize in an allergic reaction, and what actions should be taken if it were to occur.
If you do not already have one, it is important to create an emergency treatment plan that you can then share with your child, school, and other adults in their life.
One of the most important things you can do is have a deeper discussion with your child about their food allergies. Share with them their food allergy treatment plan, and encourage ways that they can self-manage their food allergies.
Remind them to:
If they are old enough, teach them to keep their emergency medications with them, how to self-inject epinephrine, as well as how to read and understand labels.
Get in touch with your child’s school and share their food allergy emergency treatment plan. Some schools will have additional paperwork for food allergies, and use this to open up a conversation with applicable school personnel such as teachers, administrators, cafeteria staff, bus drivers, coaches, and the school nurse
Be sure to ask questions such as:
Provide up-to-date contact information in case of emergency or if a teacher or staff member has questions about particular foods.
Increased cleaning and handwashing can help reduce the potential risk of children having contact with a triggering food or protein.
Teachers and administrators need to know that hand sanitizer does not remove food allergens. Water and soap is the safest way to clean the skin of any food particles that could cause a reaction. Speak to your child on the importance of hand washing, and with teachers and administrators on thorough disinfection of eating areas.
You and your children’s teachers should agree on a clear and agreed-upon protocol for snacks in the classroom. When there are birthdays, holidays, or classroom parties - snacks or candies may be common in the classroom.
To help your student stay a part of the celebration while also staying safe, you may wish to provide the teachers or staff with some safe snacks that they can keep in the classroom.
