Is Your Allergic Child Safe in School?
A severe allergic reaction to milk, peanuts, wheat, shellfish,
latex and other types of triggers can keep a youngster from
fully enjoying childhood. And that's not right. We know how
challenging and frightening it is to send a child with a severe
allergy out into the world. A simple birthday party becomes a
potentially deadly obstacle course for a child with a severe
food allergy or latex allergy. You can't stop your mind from
questioning everything; did the hostess remember to make sure no
peanut oil (or wheat, or milk) was used in the cake? Will the
festive balloons trigger your precious one's latex allergy?
Whatever the cause of your child's severe allergic
reaction--wheat allergy, shellfish allergy, peanut allergy, milk
allergy, etc.--you know it is out there.
When children go to school, the stakes and stress rise. Parents
of a child with a severe allergic reaction face the dilemma of
knowing most school staff may not be aware of how dangerous
everyday objects and foods can be. It is important to be
prepared to advocate for your child by working with school
officials.
Have you ever heard of Section 504?
Section 504 is a little-known federal program that will protect
your child from exposure to allergy triggers at school. For
example, did you know that once you create a plan with your
child's school authorities, a case manager will be assigned to
over see his or her well being? They are your "extra set of
eyes" who will make sure your child isn't in the presence of
allergenic substances, and make sure medication is administered
properly and in a timely manner if exposure should occur.
Your child's school must comply with this Federal requirement,
and you'll find they're glad to do so if you approach them with
a comprehensive plan. A school psychologist is going to be your
biggest ally during this process, so prepare yourself for a
brush with relief once you meet with him or her.
Once you have a 504 Plan in place for your allergic child to
guide them past potential dangers, it will also foster your
confidence in helping your child live life to the fullest,
safely. Working together with school officials, we can help your
child safely access and enjoy more of the wonderful world in
which we are blessed to live.
Need more relief? Any 504 plan you develop applies across the
country, to every school environment, so even if you move to
another city from the one in which you now live, your child's
Plan goes with you.
Yours in health,
Nadine O'Reilly, M.A., C.S.P.