Guest guest Posted April 5, 2005 Report Share Posted April 5, 2005 My son's Pre-K teacher went out and bought a box of tiny rubber gloves - so for art (using just about anything but crayons) he wears his gloves. After art is over, the teacher peels them of his hands so he never touches the outside of them, and then he washes his hands. This saves all of us much worry. And to be honest, I'm the one that sends gluten noodles to school for the class to use for art - all those boxes of Kraft Mac and Cheese that I've used the sauce out of have to go somewhere! ;-) And for both my son and his classmates, the gloves are just what he does and an absolute non-issue because they all know about his celiac condition: early in the schoolyear, I sent in a book about a boy with celiac (can't remember the ttle) and the teacher has read it to the kids a number of times. I also encourage my son to talk about his condition and he does that because we've been able to make him comfortable with it. Part of preparing for a successful school career is educating the child to be their own advocate as well as educating the adults. Maureen Yes there have been a couple of mistakes.....the teacher allowed my son to sort colored cereal (NOT GF), had him wash his hands afterwards, realized the mistake and immediately brought him to the nurse and called me. He was fine, although he is not VERY sensitive to gluten as some people are. > Krupp > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 7, 2005 Report Share Posted April 7, 2005 I have three school age children that faced CD and school for the first time just this year. We've not done the 504 or IEP for any of them. We've talked about this in depth with the children. They know (if not understand) the problems that can be caused when they have gluten. Because they all have had friends with food allergies/intolerances (egg, peanut, lactose) this really isn't a new concept for any of them. Here is how we're handling it: At the beginning of the school year, during the open house, we met with the two younger childrens' teachers. They had recently been to a mandatory seminar on allergies and what to do. I explained about CD, etc. until I felt comfortable with their understanding. I then spoke with the school nurse who allows me to keep two frozen GF cupcakes in her freezer (for those days when someone brings in special snacks for all the rest. I always make certain to bring her, the nurse, several cupcakes when I make them, too. Keeping on her good side is very important!) My children bring their lunches everyday. Even if the school said they could provide something GF, I wouldn't do it. During lunch time it is well-controlled chaos in the cafeteria and just one mistake on their part would make my kids sick for days. However, my 7 year old loves to buy a drink or an ice cream as a treat. So she still gets the " lunch line " thrill. (10 year old 5th grader is beyond thinking this is thrilling at all.) With my 16 year old it's another story. He is responsible for himself. However, it is a good idea to develop a relationship with the school nurse. I hadn't, but I can tell you, since the beginning of school, we have made up for that oversight! He has the strongest reactions to gluten but for a while was still going on automatic. He's known the kids he hangs out with since first grade and when someone hands him something, it takes an effort to remember not to just eat it (they all know what each other likes. Lol!) I try to stress to my kids that this really is " NO BIG DEAL. " My 7 year old is perfectly happy with the idea that she's a little special when it comes to food. My 10 year old is a little annoyed when friends offer to share things, but otherwise it doesn't bother him either. My 16 year old has the most trouble, but a couple months ago one of his friends (and the one that lives closest to us) was also diagnosed with CD. Very convenient. But I do stress the " no big deal " idea. I tell them it's just a way of life, don't stress it. So what if they can't have Cheerios or KitKat bars anymore? They can have Gorilla Munch and Reeses. So I have to make them bread they can eat, it's still bread. (Notice I don't stress the gluten free or special idea.) They can't eat McDs chicken mcnuggets? They certainly don't care now, they all love the chicken nuggets from the recipe posted on this site. Pizza is an issue, but not even so much now. And, I can't believe how much better, overall, my children (and I) eat. Restaurants? They'll have grilled chicken or an bunless burger and a salad or a loaded baked potato or veggies. I've had several waiters comment that they've never seen an entire family eat so healthily at their restaurant before. I would suggest, however, that you make the gf diet the norm within your household as all but one have it. Let the one without indulge when he's out with friends, but keep the family norm the same, even at restaurants. He'll be healthier for not downing deep fried food and french fries every time and it will help the rest feel like they are all together. > MessageHi - > > We do have a lot of our son's Celiac issues covered in his IEP (504 plan), but he has other special needs, so that's something we're doing anyway & can just plug into that plan. He is currently in Kindergarten in public school & moving up to 1st grade next year. (We have an IEP meeting in an hour!) > > Because of his spec.needs, he is not able to self-advocate in the school setting, so his classroom is gluten-free. They wipe tables regularly (both in the classroom & cafeteria), the kids wash hands as much as possible, they use baby-wipes when the kids come into the classroom first thing in the morning, and he brings his own lunch everyday. > > If you'd like to ask any specific questions, I'll try my best to help. I think the other response posts have some great ideas - I wish my son would keep gloves on - that's a terrific & easy option! > > Best of luck! Oh yeah, don't forget to check the school supplies (glue, paint, clay/playdough, etc.). > > in Nashville > > Re: Re: Thyroid issues > > > Thanks, Phoebe, for the info on thyroid issues and celiac. I will stay on top of that. > > For diagnosing celiac-- do most people rely on blood test alone? on doing GF diet? and/or on biopsy? Because I don't have clear physical symptoms, I'd like to have some clear physical proof of the condition. That's why I've been thinking about getting the biopsy to confirm/clarify what the blood test indicated. Does that make sense? > > I appreciate your input. Also, if I turn out to be positive, do I need to have my kids tested, even if they also don't seem to have symptoms? > > Thanks! > Jane > > In a message dated 4/3/05 7:01:17 AM, wdcpb@m... writes: > > > > Unfortunately, thyroid issues are a sign of celiac disease and many > doctors do not understand this link. Of the 6 celiacs in the > family, 3 have had thyroid problems, and for 2 of them, that was > their only symptom. Fortunately, one caught the problem early > enough, and the thyroid problems reversed themselves. > > If you are considering a biopsy, it will help to stay on gluten > until then to get correct testing results. > > You will want to keep an eye on your blood levels for your thyroid > over time, because with the gluten-free diet, they may change slowly > and your dosages may have to be adjusted. > > Good luck! Phoebe > > > > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------- --------- > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 7, 2005 Report Share Posted April 7, 2005 Art seems to be my 7 year old daughter's main problem. The school has a strong art program and once a month there is a special activity in all the classrooms. Unfortunately, this is where gluten comes in and the only times she's been glutened at school (I'm not usually made aware before hand of when and what.) I need to look into the glove idea for her. (And, absolutely make the children self advocates. My 7 year old is very strict and very careful. It's just things that aren't " food " that fool her. Um...not to say that she didn't taste the play dough last month for who knows what reason!) > Yes there have been a couple of mistakes.....the teacher allowed my > son to sort colored cereal (NOT GF), had him wash his hands > afterwards, realized the mistake and immediately brought him to the > nurse and called me. He was fine, although he is not VERY sensitive > to gluten as some people are. > > Krupp > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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