School & Celiac Disease

[ckmom]

My 6 year old daughter is in Kindergarten. We were diagnosed with celiac disease 2.5 weeks ago and I don't know what the school needs to know about celiac disease. She already knows not to share foods since she has a peanut/tree nut allergy. She has a safe snack bag in her class room. But am I missing anything that the school needs to know?

Also, a big thank you to everyone for all of the great info. you have already given my family. We really appreciate all of the help and support - this site is great!!

[Lisa]

I know there is a letter that you can supply to the school on this site. I'm sure that some of the moms can find it for you.

[janelyb]

My 6 year old daughter is in Kindergarten. We were diagnosed with celiac disease 2.5 weeks ago and I don't know what the school needs to know about celiac disease. She already knows not to share foods since she has a peanut/tree nut allergy. She has a safe snack bag in her class room. But am I missing anything that the school needs to know?

Also, a big thank you to everyone for all of the great info. you have already given my family. We really appreciate all of the help and support - this site is great!!

I've got one that is a pdf file

Open Original Shared Link

[ckmom]

WOW! What a list. THank You, THank You, Thank YOu!!

I've got one that is a pdf file

Open Original Shared Link

[FeedIndy]

One thing I had to make sure the school knew was to call me right away if DD forgot her lunch (it happens!), though you won't have to worry about that until next year I guess. She would forget her lunch and eat anyway. I had to reiterate that I was too be called as soon as the missing lunch was discovered so I could bring something safe for her to eat.

[blueeyedmanda]

Also you want to make sure Art supplies are ok for her to use, some paints and clay's are questionable. Play-dough is a No.

[Juliet]

It was also suggested in an article that depending on how your child actually reacts to gluten, you may want to make sure that the nurse is aware of the situation and if needed your child will have access to the private nurse's restroom.

[Amooliakin]

We found it helpful to have a batch of gluten-free brownies in the freezer at school so that if there were any celebrations, like birthdays, she would not feel left out. Also I'd be sure to continually check in with the nurse and teacher about mood changes and such. My daughter's main symptoms are irritability and tiredness, so if she gets gluten in her system and says she feels sick they still may not let her go to the nurse to rest if they think she is just trying to get out of doing the work (my daughter is in 2nd grade). Obviously if she has pain or vomiting there would be no question. But she does not have those symptoms any more, just the crankiness.

I would also talk to the other parents as much as possible and even go in and read a book to the class about celiac. It will make your daughter feel better understood and it will reduce the chance that another child or parent will mistakenly give her a food she can't eat.

Good luck

[Juliebove]

Arts and crafts can be a real problem. Stuff like pasta, wheat paste and food related things like gingerbread houses. Teachers don't always understand this because the kid isn't necessarily eating what it is they are using. However, I've volunteered to help with some of these projects and it's astounding how many kids will stick their fingers in their mouths while working. I hadn't realized it because my own daughter knows not to do this.

[Guest GrimTribe]

I've got one that is a pdf file

Open Original Shared Link

Bless you!!! I can't wait to tell Steele all the stuff he CAN eat!!!

[mommida]

Make sure you have a quick private meeting with the teacher, your child where you will discuss the urgent need for a bathroom. (Too urgent to ask the teacher sometimes) Make sure there is a liberal bathroom policy that will not be abused.

L.