Presenting Food Allergy Information to Teachers

By Kelley Lindberg

My son just entered high school this year. Talk about big changes for him – new responsibilities, new friends, new social events, new teachers, new principal… the list goes on and on.

There’s been a big change for me, too. My safety net of familiar teachers and administration has vanished. I have to start my “educating the educators” efforts all over again, with teachers who don’t already have an attachment to my son and who may not have had allergic kids in their classroom before (since he’s old enough that we always seem to be paving the way).

Fortunately, when I asked the vice principal if he thought I could present food allergy information to all the teachers at a staff meeting, he said it sounded like a good idea. He asked the principal, who also said it was a good idea. So last week, I found myself in front of about 25 teachers, trying to accomplish three things:

1. Educate them about food allergies and how to keep all allergic kids (not just my son) safe.
2. Keep from embarrassing my son.
3. Keep them from thinking I am going to be one of those “trouble-making mothers.”

I think it worked. Even though I’ve given this presentation nearly every year to my son’s school, other schools, and even other organizations, I was still incredibly nervous. It’s nerve-wracking knowing that you could, with a single slip-up, sour your son’s teachers on him. Or worse, upset his burgeoning social life. But I was able to keep a sense of humor, answer a lot of questions, hopefully reassure them that they can handle a reaction if it happens, and get them thinking about ways to prevent contamination in their classrooms. Not only will this help my son, but it will lay groundwork for the growing number of allergy kids that will be coming along in the next few years.

As scary as it is, I highly recommend asking your school’s principal if you can “educate the educators” about food allergies, too. To help you out, here is a link to the handout I give to all the teachers and staff: School Staff Presentation. I just go over what’s on this handout, then answer any questions (there are always a lot!). Good luck. Just channel your mama bear (or papa bear), know that you’re helping your child as well as many other children, and feel the love from all the rest of us mama/papa bears out here in allergy-land!

Food Allergy Classroom Presentation

By Kelley Lindberg


As each new school year starts, I often recommend to parents of children with food allergies that a good way to enlist support (rather than misunderstandings or even bullying) from both classmates and teachers is to offer to come in and give a presentation to the class about food allergies.

I have found that kids can be the best champions. When they feel like they’re part of something important, they rise to the occasion. They also have better memories than we adults do, so often kids will remind teachers when something in class isn’t safe for their food-allergic friend.

So, with the new school year upon us again, I thought I’d offer my presentation outline and notes, in case you’d like to give a food allergy presentation to your child’s class and aren’t sure where to start. My presentations usually last about 20 minutes.

There are also videos available that explain food allergies to school-age children, so if you’re more comfortable showing a video, by all means try that! If you have a favorite video, tell us about it in the Comments section. Thanks, and good luck!

All About Food Allergies Class Presentation

Who knows what a food allergy is?
I let kids raise hands and see if any know. Often they do. I then point out how a true food allergy is different from lactose intolerance and from hay fever or pet allergies.

Who knows someone with a food allergy?
Let a few of them tell you who they know who’s allergic. Usually, about a third of the class knows someone with a food allergy. This helps the teacher realize how widespread it is, and makes the food-allergic child feel less “alone.” Then I remind them that they ALL know someone with a food allergy, and I introduce my kid and tell what he’s allergic to.

This is what a food allergy can do to you if you touch or eat the food:

1. Tingling sensation, itching, or metallic taste in the mouth
2. Hives
3. Sensation of warmth
4. Itching
5. Difficulty breathing or wheezing (like asthma)
6. Swelling of the mouth or throat
7. Vomiting
8. Diarrhea
9. Cramping
10. Drop in blood pressure
11. Loss of consciousness

Can you catch a food allergy?
     No! It’s not contagious.

Here’s what to do if someone is having a reaction:

1. It’s an emergency!
2. RUN to a grownup, teacher, or recess monitor and tell them it’s an allergic reaction.
3. Call 911.

Here’s how to keep your friend safe:

1. Wash hands and face after eating.
2. Don’t bring food to the classroom or the playground. Keep all food in the cafeteria.
3. Keep your lunch area neat. Don’t spill or throw food!
4. Tell a teacher if you see food where it shouldn’t be.
5. Tell a teacher if you think your friend is getting sick.
6. Respect the food allergy table.
7. If you’re bringing treats for a party or your birthday, ask your parents to bring safe treats or non-food party favors (pencils, notepads, tattoos, erasers, balls, etc.).

Note: I always take enough trinkets – fun erasers, PAL pencils or bracelets from FARE, etc. – for the whole class. Then at the end I ask a few questions (“Who remembers one way to keep your allergic friend safe?,” or "Who remembers what Junior is allergic to?") and give a prize to anyone with the right answer. Then the last question is “Who’s going to keep your allergic friends safe?” They all yell “Me!” and I give EVERYONE a prize who hasn’t already gotten one.

 

Presenting Food Allergy Info to Teachers

by Kelley Lindberg


Last week, I gave my annual presentation on food allergies to the teachers at my son’s junior high and to the teachers at his former elementary school. I do this every year, so that all of the teachers are informed and prepared should any child at our schools have an allergic reaction to foods.

I start by telling the teachers how prevalent food allergies are now (the latest studies show 1 out of 13 children has a food allergy). I warn them that not all parents have informed the school of food allergies, but that our school’s food policies and the care and concern of our teachers have managed to keep even those children safe over the years.

Next I explain how serious they are, and I tell them how true food allergies are very different from pollen allergies or from lactose intollerance. Then I talk about common allergens, how to tell if a child is having a reaction, what to do if a child has a reaction, and how to prevent reactions in their classroom.

Finally I hand out EpiPen trainers and let them practice on themselves (and usually each other!).

Because of this training every year, our teachers have a level of awareness that lets me breathe easier. They may not be perfect (who is?), but they become advocates for safety and partners in keeping our food-allergic students healthy.

I give the teachers a handout with the highlights. The presentation generally takes about 20-25 minutes, depending on how many questions they ask. I think it really helps.

Many of you may also be in the same situation, trying to figure out how to educate your children’s teachers. I thought I’d post the handout I use – you can copy and adapt it to your own needs and give it to your teachers. Be sure you add your phone number and email address so they can call you if they have questions. Hope it helps!

Food Allergies

One out of every 13 kids has a severe food allergy. Not everyone has informed the school.

Our school’s safe practices help keep them safe anyway.

 

Food allergies are very different from pollen allergies and lactose intolerance because:

• They can cause life-threatening anaphylaxis reactions in minutes
• Even the smallest exposure – or just skin contact -- can be deadly

These 8 allergens cause 90% of reactions:

• Eggs
• Milk
• Peanuts
• Tree Nuts (almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts, pistachios, pine nuts, etc.)
• Soy
• Shellfish
• Fish
• Wheat

Common Symptoms of a Food Reaction

• Tingling sensation, itching, or metallic taste in the mouth
• Hives
• Sensation of warmth
• Itching
• Difficulty breathing and wheezing (asthma symptoms)
• Swelling of the mouth and throat
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Cramping
• Drop in blood pressure
• Passing out

What to Do If a Reaction Occurs

1. Call 911.
2. Give medications if you know how. Usually antihistamine (Benadryl) first, then EpiPen if the child’s condition worsens. But ask parents for an action plan – some kids need EpiPens immediately because of the severity of their reactions.
3. Call the parent.
4. Take the child to the emergency room or doctor. EpiPens only last 10-20 minutes.
5. Keep a close eye on the child for at least 24 hours. Secondary reactions can be just as severe.

How to Prevent Reactions

1. Remind students to wash hands after lunch. Sanitizer gel does NOT kill allergens.
2. Remind students that all food and milk stays in the lunchroom. NOT ON PLAYGROUND OR IN CLASSROOMS!
3. Keep allergic kids’ lunch boxes separate from others, so that food doesn’t spill or smear.
4. Avoid allergen foods in classrooms – they stay on desks and carpets for a long time.
5. Check your hand lotion and craft supplies for allergens.
6. Be strict about no-treats policy. Easy to use non-edible rewards instead.

www.AllergyReady.com

(Free 1-hour online course for educators on creating a food-allergy-smart school environment.)