As the summer begins to simmer out and we rush around the buy school supplies the reality of the start of the school year begins to set in, especially for those who have Celiac Disease and food allergies. Much extra preparation is needed to make sure our children are going to be safe. Does their teacher know/remember their needs? What about the cafeteria staff? How will the other students treat him/her? All of these thoughts jump around in our head, as do many more.

Often with a first diagnosis, or a transitioning in schools, these questions can become overwhelming to a parent. This in turn makes it stressful for not only the parents but also the child. You need assistance, from someone, to make this all work out in your child’s best interests.

These days we tend to turn, be it good or bad, to the internet for advice. The National Foundation for Celiac Awareness has created two empowering tools for parents that are worth sharing.
1. The first is a tool directed at Children in grades K-12. This explains your rights as a parent a child with needs to seek extra supports in the school setting, usually sought through a 504 plan if eligible. An individual with celiac disease is entitled to a 504 plan if the restrictions on daily school life due to the disease is limiting. This link outlines who is eligible, how it will help and what you will need to apply.

2. Individuals heading to college face an entirely different set of issues and concerns. From talking to dining staff, resident hall assistants, friends, eating out on your own and roomates the waters become thick with personal responsibility and the need to be assertive. This tool outlines some basic helpful hints for many areas of college life including: grocery shopping on your own, cleaning, dining out, dating and who to talk to about your needs. It also comes with a set of helpful questions and who should be asked them to make your gluten free life easier.

In addition to resources such as these NFCA tools Social workers in the school setting can be a helpful resource to you and your family and are typically available through out all school levels. They can set up school wide meetings with the needed personnel, direct you as to how to apply for things such as a 504 plan and can meet with you or your child for supportive sessions, just to name a few things.

With a more enlightened world about the supports we have available to us we can make it through anything, even as an individual with celiac disease!