Jump to content

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Question For Parents With School Age Kids

Smunkeemom

Recommended Posts

Smunkeemom Enthusiast
Smunkeemom
Posted

My four year old goes to half day preschool, she eats breakfast at school, she had a pos blood test but a neg biopsy, her sister was pos on both. The four year old and I have decided to take her completely off gluten for 1 year and see if she feels better (her sister has been gluten-free for a year now so Kathryn fully understands the constraints of the diet) she isn't having 'bathroom symptoms' but does have cramping, fuzzy thoughts, and seems to be losing weight, she also has insomnia from the tummy cramps.

now on to my question, she likes eating breakfast at school with her friends, does the school have to provide gluten-free food for her, or do they just have to make accomodations, what kind of accomodations?

we will really only have this problem for about 6 months because we have decided to homeschool next year, but I don't want to mess up her breakfast time, and she doesn't want to eat gluten anymore. There are not gluten-free choices available already at school now basically it is 'choose cereal or a doughnut' and sometimes they have english muffins :(

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Jnkmnky Collaborator
Jnkmnky
Posted

You can provide the gluten-free breakfast, and she can eat it at school. If it's a private school that you're paying to go to, you may see if you can negotiate the cost of the included breakfast out of the tuition. They are not obligated to provide your child a breakfast and may tell you to deal with the cost. If it were a public school, open to all and funded by the govt and taxes, you could expect them to feed your child a gluten-free breakfast.

Smunkeemom Enthusiast
Smunkeemom
Posted
  • Author
You can provide the gluten-free breakfast, and she can eat it at school.  If it's a private school that you're paying to go to, you may see if you can negotiate the cost of the included breakfast out of the tuition.  They are not obligated to provide your child a breakfast and may tell you to deal with the cost.  If it were a public school, open to all and funded by the govt and taxes, you could expect them to feed your child a gluten-free breakfast.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

it is a public school and they are definatly funded by the govt. they even get special govt. grants because of thier literacy rate and such, so who do you think I talk to about this, the prinicpal, or the school board, I don't want to accidentally go over someone's head or make problems, I am just trying to keep things as normal as possible for her.

Jnkmnky Collaborator
Jnkmnky
Posted
it is a public school and they are definatly funded by the govt. they even get special govt. grants because of thier literacy rate and such, so who do you think I talk to about this, the prinicpal, or the school board, I don't want to accidentally go over someone's head or make problems, I am just trying to keep things as normal as possible for her.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The Principal. If you do this, you will have the additional headache of making sure the food is gluten free, prepared in a way that is 100% safe... no crumbs, clean hands, etc. My experience has been to provide the meal. My kid went to a private preschool with a meal provided by the school. I had to supply the snack as they did NOT have to provide it. They would not negotiate the cost of the food I was providing, saying it was minimal at best... of course, they charged tuition like the meal cost an arm and a leg!! :lol: But I'm not really complaining. It was and is a fabulous preschool. I was very happy to send two of my kids there.

I do NOT ask my public school to supply a gluten free version of lunch for my child now. It would be too much of a PAIN to ensure the safty of the food prep area, educate the cafeteria staff *these are not highly skilled people*, as well as the initial hurdle of getting the school to comply with the disability laws in the first place. I think that if you've only got 6 months to go.... well, you could spend a good half of that time working out the kinks. I'd send in a baggie of gluten free cereal or a Glutino Cereal bar or a Kinnkinnick donut. The accomodations would be the sum total of a seat at the breakfast table. I think that's the safest, sanest way to go if you've only got 6 months left.

Guest nini
Guest nini
Posted

there is a "section 504 form" where you can apply for and request special accommodations, for a child with "special needs" but to me that implies a disability that they do not have. I'd just as soon send her food and know that it's safe than to try to worry about safe preparation of her food.

You can pre pack different gluten-free cereals in small ziplock bags, she can purchase a milk and get a clean bowl and spoon to have cold cereal, you can send all kinds of fruit cups, or fresh fruit, get Kinnickinick donuts and send 1/2 donut with milk money (1/2 donut is more than enough even for an adult, they are very filling).

My daughter eats breakfast at home and then takes her lunch. She buys a milk there but that's it. I don't trust the school cafeteria's to know what they are doing when it comes to cross contamination issues and hidden ingredients, etc... not worth the headache in my opinion.

Smunkeemom Enthusiast
Smunkeemom
Posted
  • Author

Thank you for the advice. I sat down with the principal today and we talked about Kathryn's new diet and what her needs would be. She is going to do some research and also sit down with me and the school nurse, kathryn's teacher and the cafeteria manager later this week. This week she would like for me to bring breakfast/snacks for Kathryn, but after that they have a special budget for kids with special diets that the PTA provides and she will keep 2 or 3 kinds of gluten-free cereal in stock for Kathryn that I specify and clean disposable bowls that are for her only. She is going this weekend to the health food store to pick up gluten-free animal crackers for her, and is interested in any more information I can provide since next year we will have to figure out lunches, and Annika will be there for PreK and breakfast. :D I will have to sit down with everyone and explain everything but the principal has a milk allergy so she is fully understanding of Kathryn's needs for special diet. I think I will still have to be very involved in Kathryn's diet at school but it is good to know that they are going to be on my side (I have heard many horror stories about schools that were unwilling to help accomodate at all)

tarnalberry Community Regular
tarnalberry
Posted

Sounds like they're really willing to work with you. Good luck! :-)

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Guest nini
Guest nini
Posted

That's great that they are going to try to work with you.

junieb Rookie
junieb
Posted

Hi! A 504 can insure that your child's needs are taken seriously and sometimes this pushes the staff to pay a bit more attention. It's kind of like a legal backup for you. There are many things that could lead a child to having a 504. It makes sure you have a team of administrators meeting with and listening (hopefully) to you and the info that you bring from your drs.

MySuicidalTurtle Enthusiast
MySuicidalTurtle
Posted

I wish I had that form filled out while I was in school and am glad my brother did. Some teachers are not understanding about bathroom breaks and needing to see the nurse often especially during tests and certain lectures (when older). This disease, at times, makes us very different from those around us and we need special care. It would be easier to send your daughter to school with her own gluten-free versions of the foods her friends are eating. It will help her get used to that and it will be normal to her.

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Join eNewsletter
    Donate
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):



    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):



  • Recent Activity

    1. Mmoc
      - Mmoc replied to Mmoc's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      2

      Blood tests low iGA 4 years later digestive issues

      Thank you kindly for your response. I have since gotten the other type of bloods done and am awaiting results.
    2. Aretaeus Cappadocia
      - Aretaeus Cappadocia replied to Clear2me's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      6

      Gluten free nuts

      I wanted to respond to your post as much for other people who read this later on (I'm not trying to contradict your experience or decisions) > Kirkland Signature Super Extra-Large Peanuts, 2.5 lbs, are labeled "gluten free" in the Calif Costcos I've been in. If they are selling non-gluten-free in your store, I suggest talking to customer service to...
    3. trents
      - trents replied to Larzipan's topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      42

      Has anyone had terrible TMJ/ Jaw Pain from undiagnosed Celiac?

      Thanks for the thoughtful reply and links, Wheatwacked. Definitely some food for thought. However, I would point out that your linked articles refer to gliadin in human breast milk, not cow's milk. And although it might seem reasonable to conclude it would work the same way in cows, that is not necessarily the case. Studies seem to indicate otherwise. Studies...
    4. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams replied to Larzipan's topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      42

      Has anyone had terrible TMJ/ Jaw Pain from undiagnosed Celiac?

      I'd be very cautious about accepting these claims without robust evidence. The hypothesis requires a chain of biologically unlikely events: Gluten/gliadin survives the cow's rumen and entire digestive system intact. It is then absorbed whole into the cow's bloodstream. It bypasses the cow's immune system and liver. It is then secreted...
    5. Wheatwacked
      - Wheatwacked commented on Scott Adams's article in Latest Research
      6

      Study Estimates the Costs of Delayed Celiac Disease Diagnosis (+Video)

      Have you had your 25(OH)D vitamin D blood level checked? Vitamin D deficiency occurs in 40 - 60% of western societies. It is even more common in Celiac Disease because of malabsorption syndrome. Appropriate intake of vitamin D or skin production from sun, increases the absorbtion rate of Calcium.and phosphorus, two minerals crucial to...
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      132,387
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    LizzieE
    Newest Member
    LizzieE
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.5k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Mmoc
      Blood tests low iGA 4 years later digestive issues

      By Mmoc · Posted

      Thank you kindly for your response. I have since gotten the other type of bloods done and am awaiting results. 
    • Aretaeus Cappadocia
      Gluten free nuts

      By Aretaeus Cappadocia · Posted

      I wanted to respond to your post as much for other people who read this later on (I'm not trying to contradict your experience or decisions) > Kirkland Signature Super Extra-Large Peanuts, 2.5 lbs, are labeled "gluten free" in the Calif Costcos I've been in. If they are selling non-gluten-free in your store, I suggest talking to customer service to see if they can get you the gluten-free version (they are tasty) > This past week I bought "Sliced Raw Almonds, Baking Nuts, 5 lbs Item 1495072 Best if used by Jun-10-26 W-261-6-L1A 12:47" at Costco. The package has the standard warning that it was made on machinery that <may> have processed wheat. Based on that alone, I would not eat these. However, I contacted customer service and asked them "are Costco's Sliced Almonds gluten free?" Within a day I got this response:  "This is [xyz] with the Costco Member Service Resolutions Team. I am happy to let you know we got a reply back from our Kirkland Signature team. Here is their response:  This item does not have a risk of cross contamination with gluten, barley or rye." Based on this, I will eat them. Based on experience, I believe they will be fine. Sometimes, for other products, the answer has been "they really do have cross-contamination risk" (eg, Kirkland Signature Dry Roasted Macadamia Nuts, Salted, 1.5 lbs Item 1195303). When they give me that answer I return them for cash. You might reasonably ask, "Why would Costco use that label if they actually are safe?" I can't speak for Costco but I've worked in Corporate America and I've seen this kind of thing first hand and up close. (1) This kind of regulatory label represents risk/cost to the company. What if they are mistaken? In one direction, the cost is loss of maybe 1% of sales (if celiacs don't buy when they would have). In the other direction, the risk is reputational damage and open-ended litigation (bad reviews and celiacs suing them). Expect them to play it safe. (2) There is a team tasked with getting each product out to market quickly and cheaply, and there is also a committee tasked with reviewing the packaging before it is released. If the team chooses the simplest, safest, pre-approved label, this becomes a quick check box. On the other hand, if they choose something else, it has to be carefully scrutinized through a long process. It's more efficient for the team to say there <could> be risk. (3) There is probably some plug and play in production. Some lots of the very same product could be made in a safe facility while others are made in an unsafe facility. Uniform packaging (saying there is risk) for all packages regardless of gluten risk is easier, cheaper, and safer (for Costco). Everything I wrote here is about my Costco experience, but the principles will be true at other vendors, particularly if they have extensive quality control infrastructure. The first hurdle of gluten-free diet is to remove/replace all the labeled gluten ingredients. The second, more difficult hurdle is to remove/replace all the hidden gluten. Each of us have to assess gray zones and make judgement calls knowing there is a penalty for being wrong. One penalty would be getting glutened but the other penalty could be eating an unnecessarily boring or malnourishing diet.
    • trents
      Has anyone had terrible TMJ/ Jaw Pain from undiagnosed Celiac?

      By trents · Posted

      Thanks for the thoughtful reply and links, Wheatwacked. Definitely some food for thought. However, I would point out that your linked articles refer to gliadin in human breast milk, not cow's milk. And although it might seem reasonable to conclude it would work the same way in cows, that is not necessarily the case. Studies seem to indicate otherwise. Studies also indicate the amount of gliadin in human breast milk is miniscule and unlikely to cause reactions:  https://www.glutenfreewatchdog.org/news/gluten-peptides-in-human-breast-milk-implications-for-cows-milk/ I would also point out that Dr. Peter Osborne's doctorate is in chiropractic medicine, though he also has studied and, I believe, holds some sort of certifications in nutritional science. To put it plainly, he is considered by many qualified medical and nutritional professionals to be on the fringe of quackery. But he has a dedicated and rabid following, nonetheless.
    • Scott Adams
      Has anyone had terrible TMJ/ Jaw Pain from undiagnosed Celiac?

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      I'd be very cautious about accepting these claims without robust evidence. The hypothesis requires a chain of biologically unlikely events: Gluten/gliadin survives the cow's rumen and entire digestive system intact. It is then absorbed whole into the cow's bloodstream. It bypasses the cow's immune system and liver. It is then secreted, still intact and immunogenic, into the milk. The cow's digestive system is designed to break down proteins, not transfer them whole into milk. This is not a recognized pathway in veterinary science. The provided backup shifts from cow's milk to human breastmilk, which is a classic bait-and-switch. While the transfer of food proteins in human breastmilk is a valid area of study, it doesn't validate the initial claim about commercial dairy. The use of a Dr. Osborne video is a major red flag. His entire platform is based on the idea that all grains are toxic, a view that far exceeds the established science on Celiac Disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity. Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence, and a YouTube video from a known ideological source is not that evidence."  
    • Wheatwacked
      Has anyone had terrible TMJ/ Jaw Pain from undiagnosed Celiac?

      By Wheatwacked · Posted

      Some backup to my statement about gluten and milk. Some background.  When my son was born in 1976 he was colicky from the beginning.  When he transitioned to formula it got really bad.  That's when we found the only pediactric gastroenterologist (in a population of 6 million that dealt with Celiac Disease (and he only had 14 patients with celiac disease), who dianosed by biopsy and started him on Nutramegen.  Recovery was quick. The portion of gluten that passes through to breastmilk is called gliadin. It is the component of gluten that causes celiac disease or gluten intolerance. What are the Effects of Gluten in Breastmilk? Gliaden, a component of gluten which is typically responsible for the intestinal reaction of gluten, DOES pass through breast milk.  This is because gliaden (as one of many food proteins) passes through the lining of your small intestine into your blood. Can gluten transmit through breast milk?  
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.