Back To School

[nicolecox.01]

My 6 year old daughter was diagnosed back in May with Celiac. We have been diligently following a gluten-free ,soy-free diet (as well as tree nut and peanut, which she is also allergic to). Despite our best efforts, she has not experienced relief as of yet from her painful symptoms. We are working with her specialists to help her feel better. In the meantime, back to school is fast approaching! Throughout May and June, she barely made it to school because of her pain. She is very anxious about starting school, knowing that her tummy will be hurting and she finds it hard to manage her school day. The principal and her teacher have suggested that I come up with a "protocol" - a list of things they can do at school before calling me to send her home. I wondered if anyone else here has young children with Celiac, and if so, how do they manage the school day? My thoughts are to have her work quietly by herself so she can sit and relax, or go and lay down for a while in the nurse's room to see if her pains pass. Any other at-school suggestions would be greatly appreciated. We absolutely will bring her home and home-school her if we need to, but we are hoping she can thrive in her current school environment. 

[weluvgators]

Welcome to the board!  We have navigated schools with three children that each have their own issues with gluten.  We do have written protocols for the schools to best handle our children through pain and symptoms of gluten exposure should they present.  Our plan includes a phone call to us so that we can help evaluate needed actions, but your plan may be able to help them with measures before calling you.  I do recommend noting in the plan at what point you are to be called, and we have found that my kids appreciate knowing when that is.  It is best to start the 504 process now, assuming you are in a US school.

 

Some ideas for managing belly pain that have worked well for us include:  tummy massage, heat packs, Epsom salt baths, essential oils and comforting.  Come up with ideas that work well for helping your child cope and manage the pain.  The school should be able to reference different steps to try if your daughter wants to try and manage it at school - you already have good ideas for her of sitting quietly and resting.  If heat packs and/or lying down work for her (or if she wants to try them or something else they can do), the school should also be able to accommodate that.  Ideally, your doctor(s) will be able to help you develop a plan for your child to be included in school.