Off to School with Food Allergies

The Food Allergy Network Provides Tips for Parents

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The Food Allergy Network
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NEW YORK, Aug. 29, 1997 -- For parents of children with food allergies, sending a child to school for the first time can bring to light many concerns and fears about their child's safety.

Milk is among the most common causes of food allergies in young children. Peanuts can be deadly, even minute amounts can kill a very allergic child. Sending a child into an environment where peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and milk are everywhere, puts enormous stress on parents.

The Food Allergy Network, a nonprofit organization established to help families cope with food allergies and to increase public awareness about food allergies, has some suggestions to help make the transition from home to school easier.

• Teach your child what foods cause a reaction and the importance of avoiding them.
  
  
• Role play situations that may come up; help your child feel comfortable avoiding temptation or peer pressure.
  
  
• Before the school year begins, schedule a meeting with your child's teachers, school administrators, counselor, nurse, cafeteria personnel and office staff. Explain to this "team" what foods cause a reaction, precautions, emergency procedures, how to read a label and lunch time considerations.
  
  
• Keep team members informed of allergy or medication changes. Provide them with the name and phone number of three emergency contacts.
  
  
• Ask your child's doctor to complete a medical information form. If medication is needed to control allergic reactions, be sure the school team knows how and when to administer it.
  
  
• Highlight allergy information in bright ink on all forms, or copy the forms onto brightly colored paper, so it stands out.
  
  
• Tell your child where medications are stored at school.
  
  
• Review emergency precautions periodically.
  
  
• Review plans for activities that may involve food, i.e. parties or arts and craft projects, with the teacher on a monthly basis so that your child can safely participate in all activities.
  
  
• Keep a supply of snacks at school, check the supply and freshness periodically.
  
  

Additional tips, lunch time ideas and information are available in "Off to School with Food Allergies: A Guide for Parents and Teachers." To order this 2-booklet set contact The Food Allergy Network, 10400 Eaton Place, Suite 107, Fairfax, VA 22030-2208, or visit our web site at http://www.foodallargy.org.

CONTACT: Michael Geylin of Kermish-Geylin Public Relations, 212-315-4900, for The Food Allergy Network