5 Ideas to “Be A Food Allergy Helper” in Your Child’s Classroom

Aug 28

This post was inspired by my children’s book, “Be A Food Allergy Helper!” A Food Allergy Helper is a friend or family member to someone with food allergies that helps them advocate for a safe and welcoming environment. To request an Author Reading or Speaking Engagement, you can contact me to inquire about availability.

Attn: Parents of children without food allergies

This post is for you.

It takes a community to support a food allergy family as we navigate creating a safer, more inclusive world for their food allergy kid(s).

We need to build bridges of kindness and compassion between those who have food allergies at home and those who do not.

Parents of children without food allergies - we need your help.

The intricacies of label reading, cross contact, and constant vigilance can be difficult to communicate. Navigating life with food allergies can be exhausting. So much is done on autopilot that it can be hard to stop and explain what we are doing.

So parents of children with a classmate that has food allergies - this post is for you. We, as food allergy parents, see those of you who want to offer your support but don’t quite know how. So I’m sharing five ideas on how you can “Be A Food Allergy Helper” in your child’s classroom this year.

Remember, teaching your child how to “Be A Food Allergy Helper” can be one of the greatest acts of kindness this year for a classmate with food allergies.

#1: Ask if there are any food allergies in the classroom

In the United States, approximately one in 13 kids have a food allergy. That’s about one or two kids per classroom. Knowing the prevalence of food allergies helps us understand that there is a good chance your child will make a friend with someone that has food allergies.

As a parent, you can role model for your child how to be a Food Allergy Helper. One way to start is to demonstrate food allergy awareness by asking if there are any food allergies in your child’s classroom. A good time to do this is when you meet their new teacher during the school’s open house or backpack night.

Please do not ask which students in the classroom have food allergies, as laws such as the Federal Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) will prohibit teachers from sharing a student’s medical information with other parents. Your teacher may choose to give a response such as “we are a nut-free classroom.” In addition to checking with the teacher, you can also check your school’s handbook for any food allergy policies that apply to the entire student body.

#2: Know that all food allergies are serious

A food allergy is a medical condition that happens when the immune system (the part of the body that normally fights germs) attacks a protein in food. Symptoms of a food allergy can range from mild to severe. But food allergies are unpredictable - even if someone has never had a serious allergic reaction before, their next reaction can be life-threatening.

Food allergies are very different than food intolerance or other dietary restrictions, because ANY amount of a food allergen can cause a serious or anaphylactic reaction. This means if someone with a food allergy eats something they are allergic to, they may have to go to the hospital.

The only way to prevent a serious reaction is complete and careful avoidance of the food allergen(s). Parents can help role model the seriousness of food allergies by not making jokes or negative comments about other children with food allergies. We can teach our children how to be Food Allergy Helpers by encouraging them to tell an adult right away if they see other kids teasing or picking on someone with a food allergy at school.

#3: Ask for a list of safe, pre-packaged snacks and candy

If you discover that there are food allergies in your child’s classroom, you can send a follow-up email to your child’s teacher to inquire if the food allergy parents would be willing to share a list of safe, pre-packaged snacks or candy with other parents in the classroom.

Most food allergy parents would be overjoyed at this request. Pre-packaged foods are key, as most parents will not feel safe letting their food allergy child eat food made in another family’s home due to risk of cross contact. While proper cooking will reduce or eliminate harmful bacteria (like Salmonella in eggs), proper cooking will NOT remove food allergens. Remember, ANY amount can cause a serious or anaphylactic reaction.

When it comes to classroom celebrations, there other ways to have fun without food! Non-food treats are one way to give a small gift instead of treats. However, you should also ask if there are any non-food treats that need to be avoided. For example, play-doh is not the best choice for a class with wheat allergy or celiac disease. Kids with Food Allergies offers a free download with information on potential food allergens in crafts and activity supplies.

#4: Have your child wash hands with soap before school

We all know the importance of good hand hygiene. But washing hands with soap and water is especially important with food allergies. Some children can get sick if they are touched by something with crumbs or tiny food particles that include their food allergen(s).

Parents can help keep the classroom safe by having their child always wash their hands with soap and water before leaving for school. This is another way to “Be a Food Allergy Helper” by working together to keep our friends at school safe from their food allergens.

If your child typically eats breakfast in the car, you can keep commercial wipes in your vehicle to their clean hands and/or surfaces. Unfortunately, sanitizing gels or plain water will not remove food allergens. Soap and water is the best choice whenever possible. And don’t forget to check clothing for any food residue.

#5: Consider donating a food allergy children’s book

Many food allergy parents struggle with how to talk about food allergies with own children, so it is understandable if you don’t know where to start either. It can be helpful to start talking about how to be a Food Allergy Helper when children are young, as long as you use age-appropriate conversation that isn’t overwhelming or scary.

Books and TV shows can help. I wrote the children’s book Be A Food Allergy Helper! to teach young children about food allergies and how to become food allergy advocates. Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood has an episode (Season 3, Episode 4) that explores Daniel’s peach allergy and allergies at school.

One way to take action or demonstrate your support would be to donate a food allergy book to your child’s classroom or school library. You can also help your child learn about any food allergens in their classroom by identifying them at the grocery store or looking at pictures online. This is especially important if there is a food allergen that you don’t eat frequently at home, like soy or sesame. But most importantly, emphasize all the foods that your child CAN eat at school or nonfood activities they CAN enjoy with their food allergy friend.

Want to learn more about food allergy nutrition?

Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE) offers a Be a PAL® program to help children better understand food allergies. Kids with Food Allergies also has a list of fun ways to help teach children about food allergies.

In addition to these two great resources, I offer Author Readings with Q&A Sessions as well as other public speaking events. You can learn more about my book, Be A Food Allergy Helper!, on my website or contact me for availability for a speaking event.

I also work 1:1 with families to help them learn how to confidently manage food allergies while nurturing a healthy relationship with food. Have you or a family member been recently diagnosed with food allergies? Book an appointment or schedule a free Discovery Call with me to learn more about navigating life with food allergies!