With the increase in children with peanut allergies, there is often great debate as to whether a school should be made peanut free. Those within the food allergy community and those outside of the food allergy community have argued both the pros and cons of labeling a school peanut free. Here are some of the popular arguments.

False Sense of Security
Many within and not within the food allergy community feel that labeling a school peanut free causes a false sense of security. Children and parents may let their guard down assuming there is little to no chance of an allergic reaction.

The main argument is that no school can ever ensure it is completely peanut free nor can all students and staff be monitored to ensure no peanut products come into the school.

The term peanut safe has been brought up in place of peanut free. However, those that oppose peanut free/safe schools still feel it offers a false sense of security.

Those in favor argue that it does not offer a false sense of security but helps to limit(minimize)potential allergic reactions.

Either way, some schools choose to go peanut free and some do not. It usually depends upon the number of peanut allergic kids, the size of the school, logistics as well as many other factors.

Our Elementary School is not peanut free however all classrooms are now labeled peanut and tree nut free. This is a new policy this year. The argument is that more and more children are entering the school with peanut allergies and most of the classrooms are peanut free already because there is a peanut allergic child present. In the upper elementary grades, students rotate classrooms therefore the peanut/tree nut free/safe policy became a necessity.

Rights of the Food Allergic vs. Others
Some argue the legal right for their child to consume whatever food they want and that schools can not ban any food. This is a gray area and if a parent chose to take a school to court over the issue they would more than likely lose. Unless their child had a medical condition that required the consumption of peanuts or tree nuts,they would not have a very strong arugment. However, since there are many peanut/tree nut substitutes available, a child with a conflicting medical condition could more than likely find such a substitute.

Schools do in fact put bans in place all of the time. Some schools ban gum, candy, certain clothing, cell phones, hand held video games and more.

Where does the Ban End?
Some argue that if peanuts are banned for the peanut allergic than milk should also be banned for the milk allergic and soon kids will have nothing left to eat in school.

This is a weak argument due to the nature of the peanut and peanut residue, the high number of children with peanut allergies, and the severity of peanut allergic reactions overall compared to that of other allergens.

However, if a school has a child or numerous children with food allergies and a history of reaction similar to that of those with peanut allergies - the situation must be considered since all life threatening food allergies are considered a disability under disability law.

Is it necessary that schools be peanut free? This isn't a question that can be simply answered nor is it a black and white issue. No one person, group or organization can reasonably take a stance for or against peanut free schools as all children and food allergies are not created equally. Schools must weigh their decision on a case by case basis considering the children in their schools and the severity of their allergies. Oftentimes other accommodations can be made, but it depends largely on the situation of each and every school.

If you have a peanut allergic child and wish your school made better accommodations for him/her, you should first speak with the school principal and school nurse as well as your child's classroom teacher. If you fail to get anywhere you should then contact the director of special education and address whether your child needs a 504 plan or Individualized Education Plan.

Join the Cause on Facebook:

Ban Peanuts on Planes:

PeanutAllergy Facebook:

 

PeanutAllergy.com Newsletter

Email: *

Subscribe

Unsubscribe

Twitter:

With the increase in children with peanut allergies, there is often great debate as to whether a school should be made peanut free. Those within the food allergy community and those outside of the food allergy community have argued both the pros and cons of labeling a school peanut free. Here are some of the popular arguments.

False Sense of Security
Many within and not within the food allergy community feel that labeling a school peanut free causes a false sense of security. Children and parents may let their guard down assuming there is little to no chance of an allergic reaction.

The main argument is that no school can ever ensure it is completely peanut free nor can all students and staff be monitored to ensure no peanut products come into the school.

The term peanut safe has been brought up in place of peanut free. However, those that oppose peanut free/safe schools still feel it offers a false sense of security.

Those in favor argue that it does not offer a false sense of security but helps to limit(minimize)potential allergic reactions.

Either way, some schools choose to go peanut free and some do not. It usually depends upon the number of peanut allergic kids, the size of the school, logistics as well as many other factors.

Our Elementary School is not peanut free however all classrooms are now labeled peanut and tree nut free. This is a new policy this year. The argument is that more and more children are entering the school with peanut allergies and most of the classrooms are peanut free already because there is a peanut allergic child present. In the upper elementary grades, students rotate classrooms therefore the peanut/tree nut free/safe policy became a necessity.

Rights of the Food Allergic vs. Others
Some argue the legal right for their child to consume whatever food they want and that schools can not ban any food. This is a gray area and if a parent chose to take a school to court over the issue they would more than likely lose. Unless their child had a medical condition that required the consumption of peanuts or tree nuts,they would not have a very strong arugment. However, since there are many peanut/tree nut substitutes available, a child with a conflicting medical condition could more than likely find such a substitute.

Schools do in fact put bans in place all of the time. Some schools ban gum, candy, certain clothing, cell phones, hand held video games and more.

Where does the Ban End?
Some argue that if peanuts are banned for the peanut allergic than milk should also be banned for the milk allergic and soon kids will have nothing left to eat in school.

This is a weak argument due to the nature of the peanut and peanut residue, the high number of children with peanut allergies, and the severity of peanut allergic reactions overall compared to that of other allergens.

However, if a school has a child or numerous children with food allergies and a history of reaction similar to that of those with peanut allergies - the situation must be considered since all life threatening food allergies are considered a disability under disability law.

Is it necessary that schools be peanut free? This isn't a question that can be simply answered nor is it a black and white issue. No one person, group or organization can reasonably take a stance for or against peanut free schools as all children and food allergies are not created equally. Schools must weigh their decision on a case by case basis considering the children in their schools and the severity of their allergies. Oftentimes other accommodations can be made, but it depends largely on the situation of each and every school.

If you have a peanut allergic child and wish your school made better accommodations for him/her, you should first speak with the school principal and school nurse as well as your child's classroom teacher. If you fail to get anywhere you should then contact the director of special education and address whether your child needs a 504 plan or Individualized Education Plan.

Join the Cause on Facebook:

Ban Peanuts on Planes:

PeanutAllergy Facebook:

 

PeanutAllergy.com Newsletter

Email: *

Subscribe

Unsubscribe

Twitter:

September marks the start of school for most children in the United States. If your child is one of the more than 12 million Americans that suffer from food allergies, following are the top two steps to take to help you prepare and get through the school year.

EpiPens
The most important and only life saving medication for those with life threatening food allergies is the EpiPen. If your child does not have one, you should discuss this with your doctor. If your child does have one, he should carry it with him at all times.

There should also be one or more kept at the school specifically for your child. One in the nurses office and one in the classroom or other appropriate room within the school.

Health Care Plans
It's important to have some sort of health care plan on file at the school. At the very least, an Emergency Care Plan from your doctor outlining the steps to take in the event of a reaction is crucial. You can also discuss an Individual Health Care Plan with the school nurse and also look into a 504 plan or Individual Education Plan through the school's special education department.

With some sort of written plan with your school and an EpiPen on hand at all times, you will be well on your way to a safer school year.

*There are of course many other things you can do to keep your food allergic child safe at school. Look for additional tips and posts in the upcoming weeks.

Join the Cause on Facebook:

Ban Peanuts on Planes:

PeanutAllergy Facebook:

 

PeanutAllergy.com Newsletter

Email: *

Subscribe

Unsubscribe

Twitter:

If you have a child with a food allergy that will be entering day care or school in the fall, now is the time to start thinking about a food allergy plan.

There are several types of written plans that you can have in place and which one you choose depends upon your own circumstances.

At minimum, all children with food allergies should have an allergy action plan. This plan details what to do in the event of a reaction and lists the types of foods your child is allergic to as well as signs and symptoms of a reaction.

Beyond that, you may choose an Individual Health Care Plan (IHCP or IHP), a 504 Plan, or an Individualized Education Plan (IEP).

Each of the above plans have certain eligibility criteria and depend upon the school and your child's allergies. Be sure to talk with your school nurse, your child's teacher and possibly the school principal to work out a plan that is right for you.

For more information on the above listed plans and which one is right for you visit:

http://www.bestallergysites.com/news/when-do-you-need-a-care-plan-for-fo...

Join the Cause on Facebook:

Ban Peanuts on Planes:

PeanutAllergy Facebook:

 

PeanutAllergy.com Newsletter

Email: *

Subscribe

Unsubscribe

Twitter:

School buses and EpiPens have been a topic of discussion in the food allergy community for quite sometime. Some food allergic parents think nothing of their child riding the school bus, while others won't let them ride at all.

The decision depends solely on the food allergic child's allergies, the comfort level of the family and the accommodations the school and bus company are willing to provide.

Many bus drivers have a strict no eating policy. This policy can help to keep the bus clean and uncontaminated, but may be difficult to enforce. It also doesn't help with the children who may have had foods with allergens for breakfast or at school that is now on their hands or clothing.

The real issue is with EpiPen administration. Some bus companies and drivers will administer the EpiPen and some will not stating liability as an issue. In many schools, the proper procedure is to pull the bus over and call 911. This delay could prove fatal. What should you do if your bus driver refuses to administer the EpiPen?

Parents should keep in mind that they do have a choice other than driving their children to school. Many states have laws regarding school transportation. You should find out what those laws are and what you are entitled to. In most cases children that live beyond a certain distance from the school are eligible for school bus transportation.

If your child is eligible for school transportation and you are having difficulty with getting the bus company to agree with administering the EpiPen, you have a few choices. Since life threatening food allergies are considered a disability and covered under disability law, you should discuss the issue with your school. You can request that they accommodate you in the situation. They might offer or you can ask for 1. transportation on a smaller bus (usually reserved for special needs kids) where the driver will administer the EpiPen when necessary or 2. an EpiPen trained aide on the bus.

Both of the above options are more costly for the school and it might be enough pressure for them to consider renegotiating with the bus company. Or, they may at least (and they should) offer you another accommodation. If no accommodation is offered, you can take your issue to the superintendent of schools or the school committee if you have one. If you have a section 504 plan or an IEP where food allergies are covered, you can choose to pursue legal action through the appropriate channels.

This is an increasingly common problem with food allergies on the rise and thankfully many schools are taking notice and doing something about it. In Massachusetts, new bus drivers are now required to undergo EpiPen training and administer on the bus if necessary. This doesn't cover old bus drivers, but it is a step in the right direction.

Join the Cause on Facebook:

Ban Peanuts on Planes:

PeanutAllergy Facebook:

 

PeanutAllergy.com Newsletter

Email: *

Subscribe

Unsubscribe

Twitter: