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

Starting New Preschool

peppyking

Recommended Posts

peppyking Apprentice
peppyking
Posted

My four year old is starting a new preschool. She was diagnosed with celiac disease last year (blood test & endoscopy), and her then-preschool was amazing.

 

This new preschool is run by the school district, but we pay for it. Would she be eligible for a 504 plan or not until she attends "regular" public school? If she is, what are the pros/cons and what should be included? They are a peanut free school, but I am nervous they will not take the gluten free seriously.

 

My daughter is very good about speaking up and avoiding cross-contamination. Any tips & suggestions for communicating with the teacher and fostering a safe classroom environment would be greatly appreciated!

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


africanqueen99 Contributor
africanqueen99
Posted

My 3 y/o attends a public school district preschool program.  Last year she was in the public school district Kids Morning Out.  I had a 504 filled out before she started KMO and then we updated at the end of the school year knowing she would bump up to preschool this year.

 

This is a quote from me from a thread a while back about the situation.  At this particular school they take all allergies seriously.  Truly, there was a kid with a latex allergy a few years ago and they removed ALL latex from the school.  They're that good - so I knew they would take gluten seriously.  And they do:

 

We met to put together her plan the Spring before she started KMO (she was 2.25 years at that time).  I had meetings with the upcoming teacher and aide, head of program, school nurse and Health Services Director for the district.  The Director of the building never attended anything - she had no need to.  Other than the Health Services Director (who puts together all 504s in the district), I had all the people I needed in the room.  We started off by them asking me what happens if she has gluten - I didn't sugar coat anything and might have embellished a little bit as I felt I was speaking for future kids with Celiac in the school too.  Then they literally asked me what I wanted and we discussed them point by point. 

* No food not from me or approved by me

* My kid is assisted with her food first and has a set spot at the head of the table (easier to not have other kids touch her food)

* All supplies were checked and safe from the school district person that does that (not sure of his title - but the man is a beast and gets to the bottom of all ingredients directly from manufacturers)

* Unrestricted bathroom acess

etc

 

All this to say that I'd have a sit-down with the people that really matter in this scenario - teachers/aids/nurse/etc.

racheltom Rookie
racheltom
Posted

My daughter just started a new preschool, too, and they've been great about her celiac disease.  They are providing gluten free play doh, which I assumed I'd have to send in.  

 

I get a little confused when parents on these boards discuss 504s.  I'm an elementary school teacher, so I'm very familiar with the process.  I have never heard of students being on a 504 for celiac or any food allergy.  Is it common?  Just for early childhood?  

StephanieL Enthusiast
StephanieL
Posted

It's becoming more common for children to have 504's for Food Allergies and Celiac disease.  I won't say it is common yet but more and more it is happening.  A lot parents don't know to ask for one and get IHP's.

  • 2 weeks later...
rehh05 Apprentice
rehh05
Posted

I am a teacher in a public school preschool program and I have celiac. 

Yes, you can ask for a 504 plan. But make sure that you talk to everyone who has anything to do with  your daughter. The preschool will be vigilant but will not eliminate wheat products from the school. 

You will need to politely and pleasantly advocate for her and educate the staff. Finding or creating handout with information on them would be very helpful. Make sure they understand that this is more severe than an allergy in many ways. 

Sometimes people think they understand this disease but they don't understand about cross contamination or how tiny bits can still cause problems. 

You are going to need to make sure they understand how important it is for her to wash her hands constantly. 

And they need to make sure any substitute teachers are informed too. 

If it is a half day it is easier as there is just snack and other kids hands to contend with, lunch is harder. But it is a rewarding experience. Help the staff question every substance that might accidentally get in her mouth... Paint, playdoh, glue, everything... And both home and school emphasize keeping hands out of mouth and washing things off of hands. 

I have had kids with extreme allergies in class and celiac and we all worked together without a 504 and things were fine. But if you can get a 504 do it. It is something you can refine in preschool and have ready we she goes to kindergarten and may really need it. 

Archived

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

Go to topic listing
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,898
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    MLucia
    Newest Member
    MLucia
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.4k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • trents
      New (possible) celiac diagnosis

      By trents · Posted

      Welcome to the forum, @Judy M! Yes, he definitely needs to continue eating gluten until the day of the endoscopy. Not sure why the GI doc advised otherwise but it was a bum steer.  Celiac disease has a genetic component but also an "epigenetic" component. Let me explain. There are two main genes that have been identified as providing the "potential" to develop "active" celiac disease. We know them as HLA-DQ 2.5 (aka, HLA-DQ 2) and HLA-DQ8. Without one or both of these genes it is highly unlikely that a person will develop celiac disease at some point in their life. About 40% of the general population carry one or both of these two genes but only about 1% of the population develops active celiac disease. Thus, possessing the genetic potential for celiac disease is far less than deterministic. Most who have the potential never develop the disease. In order for the potential to develop celiac disease to turn into active celiac disease, some triggering stress event or events must "turn on" the latent genes. This triggering stress event can be a viral infection, some other medical event, or even prolonged psychological/emotional trauma. This part of the equation is difficult to quantify but this is the epigenetic dimension of the disease. Epigenetics has to do with the influence that environmental factors and things not coded into the DNA itself have to do in "turning on" susceptible genes. And this is why celiac disease can develop at any stage of life. Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition (not a food allergy) that causes inflammation in the lining of the small bowel. The ingestion of gluten causes the body to attack the cells of this lining which, over time, damages and destroys them, impairing the body's ability to absorb nutrients since this is the part of the intestinal track responsible for nutrient absorption and also causing numerous other food sensitivities such as dairy/lactose intolerance. There is another gluten-related disorder known as NCGS (Non Celiac Gluten Sensitivity or just, "gluten sensitivity") that is not autoimmune in nature and which does not damage the small bowel lining. However, NCGS shares many of the same symptoms with celiac disease such as gas, bloating, and diarrhea. It is also much more common than celiac disease. There is no test for NCGS so, because they share common symptoms, celiac disease must first be ruled out through formal testing for celiac disease. This is where your husband is right now. It should also be said that some experts believe NCGS can transition into celiac disease. I hope this helps.
    • Judy M
      New (possible) celiac diagnosis

      By Judy M · Posted

      My husband has had lactose intolerance for his entire life (he's 68 yo).  So, he's used to gastro issues. But for the past year he's been experiencing bouts of diarrhea that last for hours.  He finally went to his gastroenterologist ... several blood tests ruled out other maladies, but his celiac results are suspect.  He is scheduled for an endoscopy and colonoscopy in 2 weeks.  He was told to eat "gluten free" until the tests!!!  I, and he know nothing about this "diet" much less how to navigate his in daily life!! The more I read, the more my head is spinning.  So I guess I have 2 questions.  First, I read on this website that prior to testing, eat gluten so as not to compromise the testing!  Is that true? His primary care doctor told him to eat gluten free prior to testing!  I'm so confused.  Second, I read that celiac disease is genetic or caused by other ways such as surgery.  No family history but Gall bladder removal 7 years ago, maybe?  But how in God's name does something like this crop up and now is so awful he can't go a day without worrying.  He still works in Manhattan and considers himself lucky if he gets there without incident!  Advice from those who know would be appreciated!!!!!!!!!!!!
    • Scott Adams
      Patiently Waiting to See Results

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      You've done an excellent job of meticulously tracking the rash's unpredictable behavior, from its symmetrical spread and stubborn scabbing to the potential triggers you've identified, like the asthma medication and dietary changes. It's particularly telling that the rash seems to flare with wheat consumption, even though your initial blood test was negative—as you've noted, being off wheat before a test can sometimes lead to a false negative, and your description of the other symptoms—joint pain, brain fog, stomach issues—is very compelling. The symmetry of the rash is a crucial detail that often points toward an internal cause, such as an autoimmune response or a systemic reaction, rather than just an external irritant like a plant or mites. I hope your doctor tomorrow takes the time to listen carefully to all of this evidence you've gathered and works with you to find some real answers and effective relief. Don't be discouraged if the rash fluctuates; your detailed history is the most valuable tool you have for getting an accurate diagnosis.
    • Scott Adams
      Gluten free beer ?

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      In this case the beer is excellent, but for those who are super sensitive it is likely better to go the full gluten-free beer route. Lakefront Brewery (another sponsor!) has good gluten-free beer made without any gluten ingredients.
    • trents
      Patiently Waiting to See Results

      By trents · Posted

      Welcome to the forum, @catsrlife! Celiac disease can be diagnosed without committing to a full-blown "gluten challenge" if you get a skin biopsy done during an active outbreak of dermatitis herpetiformis, assuming that is what is causing the rash. There is no other known cause for dermatitis herpetiformis so it is definitive for celiac disease. You would need to find a dermatologist who is familiar with doing the biopsy correctly, however. The samples need to be taken next to the pustules, not on them . . . a mistake many dermatologists make when biopsying for dermatitis herpetiformis. 
×
×
  • 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.