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.
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Ruth LovettSmith
Founder of http://www.bestallergysites.com/
Your Food Allergy and Gluten Free Guide, and the largest Internet directory of allergy related companies, sites, and blogs.
Disclaimer: I'm a food allergy advocate and mom of a food allergic child. I am NOT an allergist. My comments are based on my research and experiences. Please speak to your doctor regarding medical concerns.
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