FOOD ALLERGIES AT SCHOOL

Lori Dado, School NurseLaurel School District

Schools are required by law to protect the rights of students who have been Schools are required by law to protect the rights of students who have been diagnosed with potentially life-threatening food allergies and ensure that children diagnosed with potentially life-threatening food allergies and ensure that children who have a disability are given a free and appropriate public education. who have a disability are given a free and appropriate public education.

These laws permit students with special physical and medical needs to attend These laws permit students with special physical and medical needs to attend school. school.

Schools must make reasonable accommodations for these individuals with Schools must make reasonable accommodations for these individuals with disabilities to allow them full and equal opportunities at school. (Munoz-Furlong, disabilities to allow them full and equal opportunities at school. (Munoz-Furlong, 2004) 2004)

Providing a safe environment for children with food allergies puts schools in a Providing a safe environment for children with food allergies puts schools in a difficult position. difficult position.

Providing this kind of an environment can single out the allergic child while Providing this kind of an environment can single out the allergic child while infringing on the rights of the non-allergic child. infringing on the rights of the non-allergic child.

What is the best course of action? How can a school provide for all children What is the best course of action? How can a school provide for all children equally? equally?

This review sought information to determine the best practices in the management This review sought information to determine the best practices in the management of children with food allergies. This review found commonalities of the of children with food allergies. This review found commonalities of the management of food allergies, determined best practices based on research for management of food allergies, determined best practices based on research for controlling anaphylaxis in these children with known food allergies, and gathered controlling anaphylaxis in these children with known food allergies, and gathered information on educational practices and management plans.information on educational practices and management plans.

Keeping this in mind, the chance of having

an allergic reaction related to ingestion of food is high. According to Mudd and No one, (1995) in studies of fatal and near fatal anaphylaxis reaction to food, a majority of the children who died from food- induced anaphylaxis ingested the food at school.

peanuts tree nuts milk eggs fish shellfish soy wheat

Most will be out-grown with age, but peanut and tree nut allergies

are life-long. (Mudd & Noone, 1995)

Child – All students ages 4-21.

Food Allergy- A body reaction caused by hypersensitivity to food.

Management –To respond and control situation.

Action Plan- Steps used to care for a child who has been exposed to an allergen (food).

Anaphylaxis- Severe reaction caused by an allergen (food).

Anaphylaxis or not?Anaphylaxis can have many looks, some not easy to pick out.

Anaphylaxis can affect every part of the body.

Laurel Elementary has:Laurel Elementary has:

7 SEVERELY FOOD ALLERGIC STUDENTS SEVERELY FOOD ALLERGIC STUDENTS

14 food allergic studentsfood allergic students

Laurel High School has: Laurel High School has:

1 SEVERELY FOOD ALLERGIC SEVERELY FOOD ALLERGIC

23 foodfood allergic students allergic students

Some food allergies are air-borne. This means the student with the food allergy can have a reaction caused by the smell of a food, the breath of another student, or any other exposure from the

surrounding environment that is in the air.

Laurel School District has a plan to keep students with food

allergies safe while in school; however to make this happen,

everyone will need to work together.