How to Prepare Your Child for a Gluten-Free School Year

Summertime is here and for kids, that means playing outside, going on vacation, and NOT thinking of the next school year. Sound familiar? On the flip side, parents of children with gluten intolerances or allergies, summertime is filled with a lot of preparation for the next school year. It is one thing to be an adult and know the foods you can or cannot eat. But to send your child off to school, where literally anything can happen, can be very scary for parents, especially when your child has a gluten intolerance. I am going to give you some tips to use, in order to make a gluten-free school year a lot easier for your child.

Section 504 Plan

Let’s start with the Section 504 Plan. This is under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and it promises equal opportunities for children with disabilities. Even if your child does not have physical disabilities or learning disabilities, having dietary needs still falls under this Act. By filling out this form, it acknowledges the needs of your child and the school legally has to abide by this Act.

The Cafeteria

Secondly, we have the cafeteria. Before each school year begins, most school cafeterias have already planned their menus. Most of these have submitted them to the state for review and approval. I would suggest getting in contact with the school cafeteria manager. Tell him or her about your child’s needs. They should be able to show you the menus and talk about how they are prepared, how they are served, and what ingredients would pose a potential threat to your child.

The Classroom

The next place to discuss is the actual classroom. This can be a more difficult one to control, because of class parties where foods are brought to the classroom. To avoid a gluten encounter, inform your child’s teacher about the seriousness of your child’s intolerance or allergy. You can even take this a step further and type up a list of foods that your child can and cannot eat. This list can have common store bought food brands that your child can or cannot eat. I think it would also be a good idea to buy some of your child’s favorite snack foods, or sweet treats, to give to the teacher. These would be great for occasions such as a birthday party, where there is bound to be gluten-filled cake. By having these on hand, your child will not feel left out, and they can still enjoy the party.

Write a Letter

You can also type up a letter to inform all of the parents about your child’s needs, so everyone is aware.

Let Me Know

Comment below and let us know any tips you have!