Transcript Slide 1


Including and Accommodating for
Children with Food Allergies in a
School Setting
by Annette Fornadel
As of 2010,
1 in 25
children have a food allergy.
This statistic is relevant because it means there is a very real possibility that
there may be a food-allergic student in each classroom.
Goals of this presentation:
 Provide general understanding of food allergies,
 Discuss why accommodating for food-allergic children is
important, and
 Propose the necessary actions and accommodations to be
made so as to provide a safe, inclusive environment within
the school for food-allergic children.
What is a food allergy?
 A food allergy occurs when the body’s immune system makes
antibodies to normally harmless food.
 Antibodies are chemicals produced by the immune system in
response to foreign substances.
 That process causes histamines and other chemicals to be
released triggering an allergic reaction.
What are the symptoms of an allergic
reaction?
 skin rashes, hives, or itching,
 vomiting, cramps, diarrhea,
 swelling of the lips, tongue and throat
 Anaphylaxis: difficulty breathing, a drop in blood pressure,
or loss of consciousness
Six foods account for 90% of all food
allergic reactions. They are:
 Milk
 Peanuts
 Eggs
 Tree Nuts
 Soy
 Wheat
 Fish and Shellfish are also common allergens
(from the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology)
Why accommodate for food allergies in a
school setting?

Legal compliance

Creating an inclusive classroom environment
Legal Compliance

The Americans with Disabilities
Act Amendment (ADAA) of
2009 made interpretive
amendments to the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The
Rehabilitation Act of 1973,
Section 504 was put in place to
end disability-based
discrimination. It addresses
regular, not special education,
and it does not provide any
funding.

Section 504 states that a
student’s disability meets three
criteria:
1. a physical or mental impairment
that
2. substantially limits
3. a major life activity
Food allergies meet this criteria.
Creating an inclusive classroom
environment
Welcoming and including children with allergies in the classroom
empathy |ˈempəθē|
noun
the ability to understand and
share the feelings of another.
Teachers and children alike need
to better empathize with
children who have special
needs such as a food allergy.
Food-allergic students should be
included in all activities and
should not have to forgo
special treats because of
their allergies.
What allergic children want you to know:
o
I long to be included.
o
I’m scared I could die from my food allergies.
o
I feel like I’m the only one sometimes.
o
I get confused when grown-ups offer me food.
o
I’m embarrassed when people fuss over what I’m
eating.
o
I hear all adult conversations about my food
allergies.
o
Sometimes I’m sad about having food allergies.
Proposed Action Plan
 Educating School Staff: Food Allergy Workshop
 Educating Students
 Creating an Inclusive Classroom Environment
 Food Allergy Management Strategies:
 Cafeteria
 Field Trips
At the beginning of each school year, all
school staff should participate in a
workshop that includes:
 Food Allergy Basics
 Practical Food Allergy Management
Strategies
 Review of Laws that Affect Food-Allergic
Students
Educating
School Staff:
Food Allergy
Workshop
 Using an Epipen
 To foster understanding, acceptance,
and empathy, plan and teach a lesson
about food allergies.
 This can be easily done with a book on
the subject followed by age-appropriate
discussion. (See “Resources” for excellent additional
information).
 It is important to emphasize how all
Educating
Students
people have similarities and differences
and that everyone wants to be
accepted. (Hay, G.H., Harper, T.B.,
Moore, T.G., 2006)
Classrooms can and should be fun…and safe for
all children.
Food as rewards, lessons using food, and snacks
are all part of the classroom environment at
one time or another.
THOUGHTFUL PLANNING
+
COMMUNICATION
Creating an
Inclusive
Classroom
Environment
with the parents of the food-allergic child
=
ALL children enjoying the classroom experience
Food Allergy
Management:
Cafeteria

Results of studies of children with food
allergies indicate that 16% to 18% have
experienced a reaction at school (American Academy
of Pediatrics).

A Food Allergy Action Plan should be
accessible and should include a photo of
the child and all allergies, symptoms, and
treatments. (click here for an example).

An epi-pen should be accessible, not locked
in a closet or locker.

All cafeteria staff should know the students
with food allergies and the protocol of the
Food Allergy Action Plan.
 Review the Food Allergy Action Plan.
 Communicate with the parents about
any special needs while on the field trip.
 Brief chaperones and staff about the
student and his/her food allergies,
foods to avoid, and symptoms.
 Bring the food-allergic student’s
medication (epi-pen) and a cell phone
for emergencies.
Food Allergy
Management:
Field Trips
How will this information benefit teachers
and students?
o
Teachers are knowledgeable and prepared to welcome a foodallergic child into the classroom.
o
Food-allergy awareness provides an opportunity to teach children
about empathy and equality.
o
Teachers can provide a safe, welcoming environment for all
children.
Resources

American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology: www.aaaai.org

For lesson plans, food allergy action plans, bus and field trip safety tips:
The Food & Allergy Anaphylaxis Network: www.foodallergy.org

Epi-pen demonstration: www.epipen.com/how-to-use-epipen
Recommended Children’s Books About
Allergies
 Chad The Allergic Chipmunk: A Children’s Story of
Nut Allergies by Nicole Smith
 Cody The Allergic Cow: A Children’s Story of Milk
Allergies by Nicole Smith
 Allie The Allergic Elephant: A Children’s Story of
Peanut Allergies by Nicole Smith
References

Abramovitz, M. (2009). Fearsome Food Allergies. Current Health, December, 15-17.

Hay, G.H., Harper, T.B., Moore, T.G. (2006). Assuring the Safety of Severely Food
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Allergic Children in School. The Journal of School Health, 76 (9), 479-481.

Lacina, J. (2010). Allergies in School: A Review of Research. Childhood Education, 86 (4), 264-266.
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Sicherer, S., Mahr, T. (2010). Clinical Report: Management of Food Allergy in the School Setting. Pediatrics, 126, 1232-1239
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www.foodallergy.org. The Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN). Web. 18 March 2011.
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www.aaaai.org. American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology. Web. 28 April 2011.
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www.allergymoms.com. Allergy Moms. Web. 22 April 2011.

www.wikipedia.org. Wikipedia. Web. 30 April 2011.

Zirkel, P. (2009). Section 504: Student Eligibilty Update. The Clearing House, 82, 209-211

Zirkel, P. (2009). What Does the Law Say? New Section 504 Student Eligibility Standards. Teaching Exceptional Children, 41 (4), 68-71.
Questions?