For parents who are striving to make sure their children are happy, and healthy, a diagnosis of celiac can turn a birthday party, summer camp or school into a potential trouble zone.
The best way to set you and your child up for a success is to plan ahead. The first step to take is to contact the hosting parent, camp director or your child’s teacher, and school staff, regarding their celiac disease. Contact is the first step, but it is a good idea to use this moment to set up an in-person, or virtual meeting. Use this meeting to discuss the accommodations that your child may need and create a safety plan. Step two: Label all personal items, especially food or drink containers with their name and a visible gluten free sticker. It could be a good idea to pack GF snacks to keep in the teacher’s desk for emergency situations. Remind your child about the importance of not sharing food, even if others are.
Empowering your child
Children who live will Celiac disease can face a variety of struggles, from feeling different to their peers, to afraid of the effects that the disease could have on their body. Educating your children can allow them to feel more confident while navigating life with celiac.
1) Depending on their age, make sure they understand how celiac disease is and why they require special diet.
2) Make sure your child knows they have a right to politely decline any snacks that are offered to them, and that they can always let a trusted adult know if a snack they’re offered contains gluten, or if they are unsure about a snack.
3) Prepare them for celiac for life, being involved in their food-choices from a young age can foster an ability to manage long term.
4) Once your child can read proficiently, teach them how to read labels on food packaging, and about what ingredients contain gluten so they can make informed decisions themselves.
5) Model a positive relationship with a gluten free diet, showing your child that it is enjoyable.
6) Outside of their experience with celiac, foster an environment that celebrates everyone’s differences, and accepts them as they are.
7) Check in with your own mental health, and talk with your support system as well, so that you stay clear minded and ready to help your child.
Creating a safety plan
Making sure everyone is on the same page in the event of an emergency can allow for reduced anxiety, and of course mitigate risk.
A) A safety plan should not only include steps to take in case of an emergency, but overarching steps that will be taken to prevent an incident.
B) Ask about any events or occasions where food may be served, or cooking may be involved in school curriculum.
C) Parents of younger students should inquire about the use of playdough in the classroom, as it does contain gluten and can be harmful.
D) Consider suggesting that your child’s teacher provides a small celiac information session to students in the class, as this can help with awareness, preventing issues among peers and fosters empathy.
Lunch programs
Hot lunch programs offered by the school may work if you contact food providers to ask about their procedure for preventing cross contamination, and preparing gluten free food. If there are no accommodations available for your child, talk to them about why the hot lunch is unsafe for them. Perhaps sending something special (i.e., packing gluten free pizza on pizza day) on these days could help reduce your child’s fear of being left out.
Managing exposure
When looking at exposure, or contamination, it is important to remember that a single gluten exposure is not linked to more long-term complications. Make sure that your child knows the signs of feeling unwell, and reports to an adult or other support staff, and lets them know as soon as possible. Keeping all contact information up to date is crucial, so they can call home in this situation. Water and some rest will help. But ensure that there is a plan in place for getting them home safe, if needed.
Look for resources?
The CCA offers a variety of resources that can make navigating life with celiac easier for your family, offering resources specifically tailored to the issues children living with celiac face.
• Back to school recipe, and shopping lists
• Gluten free product finder
• Letter templates to explain celiac for teachers, day camp staff etc.
• Monthly news letter
• Gluten free labelling guide
• A celiac food guide for kids podcast
• Celiac learning hub created by the University of Toronto
• Wellness resources for children, parents and caregivers.
Source: www.celiac.ca
Celiac disease causes someone to be extremely sensitive to gluten, even in very small contact amounts that can happen easily through cross contamination. For people with celiac, exposure to gluten can cause health complications, such as abdominal pain, and consistent exposure can cause long term damage over time.
