Preschool Concerns...please Help

[mommysarah713]

My just turned 5-year-old was diagnosed just before her 4th birthday. We thought her preschool was doing a good job, but over the summer she became more focused, mature, confident. It was obvious she was doing great. When preschool began this year, her diarrhea began on day one. After a few weeks she is insecure, unable to focus, aggressive, impulsive and napping everyday. The diarrhea has stopped, but she is NOT ok. I've spoken with her teachers and it seems like they are doing a good job, but she is evidently experiencing the affects of continual contamination. Could she be getting sick simply from kids touching toys after they've consumed gluten? The more insecure she feels, the more her hands go in her mouth. Should i just home-school her? Please help!

[Looking for answers]

Would the school permit you to be a teacher's helper for a week so you can see first-hand what the problem might be?

[charling]

Just a thought...could she be playing with play-doh?

[mommysarah713]

Would the school permit you to be a teacher's helper for a week so you can see first-hand what the problem might be?

i'm planning on going in next monday. i don't expect to find anything, because i went in last year and didn't find anything. Maybe, i will.

[mommysarah713]

Just a thought...could she be playing with play-doh?

They make gluten-free play doh.

[weluvgators]

We have been working hard at school and preschool procedures and policy for a bit now. Let's hear more details about her time at preschool please.

Is anyone eating? Is there *any* gluten in the classroom? While we use gluten free playdoh in our childrens' classrooms, they still must follow strict cleanup procedures after its use because it IS contaminated with gluten (all "gluten free" play dohs that I tested at home were positive for gluten). We do not use any "gluten free" flours due to gluten cross contamination issues (excellent study by Tricia Thompson outlines hazards of "gluten free" grains and flours). The "gluten free" flours that I do manage to produce (after washing and drying carefully sourced whole grains) are not going to be used for playdoh!

OK, other thoughts, are you sending her foods to eat at school? Look at every packaged, convenience food that you have increased since starting school. It took us a bit to figure this one out . . . and sure enough, one of our "gluten free" packaged foods was a definite aggravator in lingering symptoms.

The day that they heated up french toast sticks in our daughter's classroom was horrible. She left with a belly ache. The day that they had a pizza party and the kids were reaching over her carefully prepared and handled gluten free cake, she left with a belly ache. The day that they IGNORED (and took her out of her "normal" circumstances - aka school party in the gym) the requirement that she MUST wash her hands with SOAP AND WATER before eating *ANYTHING*, she peed her pants three times in 20 minutes.

Gluten in the classroom AT ALL has proven to be detrimental to the health of our gluten intolerant children. It is a long process to have them safely accommodated in the school setting, and so far we have failed. We continue to pursue this option, but it certainly does not help that all of our doctors have suggested that we consider homeschooling. My kids DO NOT WANT TO HOMESCHOOL - trust me, I BEGGED THEM TO!! They want to go to school. They want to ride a school bus, and they want to sit in a room full of kids ALL DAY LONG. And I will continue to pursue a Free and Appropriate Public Education for them that does not jeapordize their health. . . unless we get further deterred by additional hospitalizations due to the oversight of the severity of our gluten intolerance condition. Then I may just have to put my foot down somehow . . . but you are not alone in your struggles to keep your child safe at school.

Please email me (email is on my profile page) if you want me to forward template documents that we are using in our school advocacy work. It is a LOT of work, and it takes an amazing amount of strength, energy, perseverance and patience. And I still do not know if we will succeed or end up with more "medical mysteries" and emergent healthcare as a result of our attempts to enjoy our right to public school.

Good luck!

[twohokies]

We have been working hard at school and preschool procedures and policy for a bit now. Let's hear more details about her time at preschool please.

Wow. And I thought I've been through the wringer with my 7.5yo with SPD (Sensory Processing Disorder). I thought that it would be a little easier with my newly diagnosed celiac disease 3yo.

My point to the original poster is that you should not be forced into homeschooling. Especially if it is not the first choice of you or your child. Your school is required to provide FAPE. Granted, you may be at a private pre-school where you have to work with them to get things in place. But once your daughter is ready for public school, you may have to get more forceful.

I think it is harder in pre-school to catch everything since there are SO MANY more art projects than in elementary school.

Good luck!