Phew! Back to school with a food allergy adds a few more layers to the new school year. As a former teacher and now a mom of a nut-allergy kiddo, I can confidently say I, too, get the anxious feeling you may have.
We want our child to fit in, but we also need everyone to be prepared in case of an allergic reaction. It’s a tricky combination to feel prepared without being overly anxious.
As I prepare my fifth grader to head back to school, I can confidently share with you what we do (and what we have done since kindergarten) before the first day. This back-to-school with a food allergy is a biggie but packed with powerful tips and questions for you to think about what’s best for your family. And most of all, you’re not alone. I see you.
We all take on food allergies differently
As I prepare this list of how we head back to school with a food allergy, it is important to recognize that food allergies look different for different families. Consider what you have discussed with your allergist and what works for your family.
The only right way to do allergies is the one that works for your child.
Because of this, I wanted to structure this guide with questions for you to think about rather than me telling you what to do. Some families may feel a 504 is necessary, and others may not. I will share with you what we do and why we chose to do each item.
We are a week away from the first day, so everything I am doing to prepare will be shared here for us all to refer back to. You will notice I have linked to FARE (foodallergy.org) many times. They are a helpful resource for organizing my thoughts before meeting with the teachers.
RELATED: I also have a parent’s guide to kindergarten to focus on more general topics.
Do you want a 504 plan?
First is one of the most important questions for your allergist and yourself: Do you want a 504 plan for your food-allergy child? If you decide to set up a 504 plan, let’s get all your information in one place so you will be taken seriously. You will likely receive official paperwork from the school that your allergist or pediatrician will also need to review and sign.
This article from FAACT is helpful in terms of civil rights. FAACT has assisted over 6800 individuals and is the only organization that offers free guidance/services.
What is a 504 plan?
A 504 plan is for caregivers and the school to implement to accommodate any physical or mental impairments a child may have. A 504 plan will help you outline how your child participates equally with classmates and what to do in an emergency. This document from the US Department of Education will thoroughly explain what a 504 plan consists of.
The 504 coordinator and other staff members will determine if you are eligible after discussing your situation. (This is why we will organize this meeting with the needed data.)
RELATED: FAACT will help guide parents/caregivers, school personnel, food service, and bus transportation.
Why we decided to get a 504 plan
Before Kindergarten, we decided to put a 504 plan in place to help everyone to be on the same page. I find it helpful to enter the conversation organized with what you are looking for and why you find it essential for your child. (Don’t worry, I will lead you to further printouts in this post that help guide your conversation.)
Some things we considered when making our 504 plan are:
- Does the school carry epinephrine (map where epinephrine is required)
- Steps to take in case of an emergency
- Will my child self-carry Epinephrin? (requires additional paperwork)
- What food will my child eat in school?
- What will my child do for birthday celebrations in the classroom?
- What symptoms does the school need to look out for?
- Where will my child sit in the lunchroom?
PRO TIP: Write down your concerns and what keeps you up at night about entering school. Now, let’s find some answers for them.
How to create a 504 plan
- Contact the school principal and ask them to be put in touch with the 504 coordinator.
- Share with the 504 coordinator that your child has a food allergy and that you would like to set up a 504 plan.
- Share with the 504 coordinators why this is important for your child and the school staff.
- You may be asked to share medical records and information.
- Enter the meeting with the information you need. It is okay also to be vulnerable and show how important this is for your family. Share why this is important for your child’s safety.
In my experience, having a back to school with a food allergy conversation helped limit other food allergy conversations during the school year. It set us all up for success.
KEEP IN MIND: You are your child’s best advocate. Remember, the school decides if you are eligible.
Resources that guide food allergy conversations
Whether you decide on a 504 or prefer to meet with the teachers, let’s get you a few resources to help guide your conversation.
I print these resources and share them with each teacher. I also leave them with the teacher for the school year. It is helpful to keep them in a laminated envelope for each teacher (linked below). Is this above and beyond? Yes. But heading back to school with a food allergy is a big deal. Teachers have a lot on their plates, so I try to take this one off their to-do list.
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Clear Pockets
I create one for each teacher to keep in the classroom. Remember that teachers have substitutes, and maintaining food allergy resources in one place is also helpful for them.
Resources I print before meeting with teachers
Use this collection of FREE downloadable resources from FARE to guide your conversation. Scroll down to see the entire list. Read each printout and highlight what you want to share with the teachers and staff.
Having everything in one place takes the guesswork away from the teacher. You may need to have the head nurse involved in the conversations.
What we print to share:
- Emergency Care Plan – This is a different link than the others.
- Food Allergy Frequently Asked Questions
- How to avoid cross-contact
- How might a child describe a reaction?
- Handwashing poster
- Preparing others to care for children with food allergies
- Recognizing and responding to a reaction
You may also want to consider sharing how to use an autoinjector.
What’s your food back to school with a food allergy plan?
Again, food allergy families need to make a plan that works best for them. Consider whether your child eats foods made in shared factories or is allowed to get treats from the teachers.
When considering food at school, consider your child’s habits and needs. Here are the sticker labels we made for our child with food allergies when he was entering kindergarten.
How we handle food at school
As a former teacher, I know how busy the day can get. We decided that my child would only eat his food. For us, it feels the most fool-proof way to (hopefully) avoid a reaction. How to handle food considers many factors, such as my child’s safety and how the precautions hinder his emotional well-being.
Five ways we handle food at school:
- He only eats the food he brings.
- I pack a snack bin stocked at the beginning of the school year. He can eat from here when the class has celebrations or parties.
- In the lunchroom, he sits with children who eat school-bought lunch. The school lunch provided by the district is nut-free. For now, his good buddies eat school-bought lunch. We will revisit this if this changes.
- We put a cloth napkin in his lunchbox to place food on. An alternative to this is the FlatBox lunch bag that opens up.
- I share the information on why it is helpful for everyone (less likely you won’t have to save someone’s life) if the classroom is nut-free, but most public schools do not have to make this mandatory.
Will your child self-carry epinephrine
Ask your child’s school where they keep epinephrine. Next, decide on the best action plan with your family and allergist. This required another form.
For us, it needs to be kept inside the nurse’s office. We decided to start kindergarten with my child, who is able to self-carry epinephrine on his waist. We did this as a precaution and a way for him to develop habits.
We use this SPIbag that he can keep around his waist. It is not temperature-controlled but does fit the Auvi-Q nicely.
SPIbelt
Maturity will play a significant factor if this is the right choice for your child. Practice over the summer to see how it goes.
How will you inform other teachers about your child’s food allergy?
There is a good chance your child sees more than one teacher throughout the day. Take the time to introduce yourself and let them know about your plan.
Remember, you want to spread the word if they cannot hand your child snacks and treats. They will also need to know what to look for in case of an allergic reaction.
PRO TIP: You may also make them the same packet you created for the teacher and include your child’s picture since they see so many students.
Books about food allergies
These are a few of our favorite books about food allergies, which the teacher can share if they are willing to read them themselves or with the class.
Nutley, the Nut-Free Squirrel
Nutley is a squirrel dealing with an allergy to nuts. It turns out his friends have allergies, too.
The Princess and the Peanut Allergy
I like how this book explains how even a small dose could cause an allergic reaction and how two friends work together to help the child feel included.
That was a lot! What now?
After writing this guide, my head is spinning. Our food allergy parents never stop thinking about how to help our children self-advocate and organize new experiences. Back to school with a food allergy is a big one! One final thought is to remind yourself how much you do to protect your child. There are so many ways to navigate a food allergy. Thank you for allowing me to share mine.
Big Kid Activity Cards
Because our big kids crave hands-on learning, too!
20 hands-on activities for ages 5.5-8 years old.
Back to School FAQ
Going to school with a food allergy is possible. Here are some questions and information to consider: 1. Does the school carry epinephrine (map where epinephrine is required) 2. Steps to take in case of an emergency 3. Will my child self-carry Epinephrin? (requires additional paperwork) 4. What food will my child eat in school? 5. What will my child do for birthday celebrations in the classroom? 6. What symptoms does the school need to look out for? 7. Where will my child sit in the lunchroom?
A 504 plan is for caregivers and the school to implement to accommodate any physical or mental impairments a child may have. A 504 plan will help you outline how your child participates equally with classmates and what to do in an emergency. This document from the US Department of Education will thoroughly explain what a 504 plan consists of.
Heading back to school almost always creates a nervous and excited feeling. Read silly picture books that share how the teacher feels nervous, too, or how friendships are made. This is the best list of back-to-school books for kids.