Yikes! I have been asked to do an inservice at the teacher's workshop on Friday (the day after tomorrow!! [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/eek.gif[/img] ). I wrote this 1 page handout for the teachers, hoping to provide them with a concise overview of the important points. I know this site has lots of info, and I've snatched some info from some other members (thanks, Becca - and probably others!) I hope no one minds!! [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/redface.gif[/img]
I would appreciate anyone's opinions on this draft. Thank you!!
PEANUT ALLERGY
Some facts about peanut allergy
1. Peanuts, along with tree nuts (walnuts, almonds, etc.) are the leading cause of near fatal and fatal anaphylaxis from food allergies.
2. Although some children will outgrow peanut allergy, most don
![http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/eek.gif[/img]](http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/eek.gif[/img]){kind=link}
![http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/redface.gif[/img]](http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/redface.gif[/img]){kind=link}
Dawn - excellent list. It's kind of intimidating to be "teaching to teachers" but every one I've encountered has been really caring and supportive and helpful, so I'm alittle biased, but I'm sure your batch of teachers will really appreciate your presentation.
Can you bring in visuals? (Visual Aids always helped me in learning, and I used them alot when teaching swimming, first aid/cpr, etc.)
Try bringing in say a:
fabric sheet (not all do, but do, or did)
artifical fire log
shaving cream
shampoo
sunscreen
bar of soap
fertilizer
bird feed
kitty litter
dog treats
ink
glue
furniture polish
ant baits
charcoal
fiberboard shelving
any makeup
vitamins
(basically anything on the list from the "unusual or unsuspected sources of peanut" thread in main discussion board.
Have them put what they think contains peanut/peanut oil on one side of the table and what they thing doesn't contain peanut/peanut oil on the other side (we know they all can/do contain peanut/shells/oil) so it will be an interesting visual for learning.
Starting your presentation off with a good batch of visuals will gets them all thinking.
And although no one expects every other family to not have these products in their house, bringing an alternate to a peanut butter sandwich for lunch is an easy option, when the alternative is being in the shoes of a peanut allergic family member and having to consider every edible and non-edible thing we buy that we'd never suspect would even need peanut or peanut oil in them, but these products do.
Hope this helps abit.
Warm Regards, [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]
[This message has been edited by Syd's Mom (edited January 08, 2003).]
When I did a similiar in service, I got a question about giving the Epi thru heavier clothing - as all of the teachers were freaked about undressing a kid. The answer I have gotten from the allergist is that the Epi can be given thru pants or tights (not like snow pants) but even jeans should be Ok.
Just wanted to mention it in case you get that question - it sort of caught me off guard. The rest of your thoughts sound great. Do you have an Epi trainer they can practice with?
Also I don't know what your handout looks like, but the FAAN web site has an Action Plan that gives all of the symptoms etc... That might be another thing to leave with them - along with your child's emergency phone numbers etc...
Good Luck.
[This message has been edited by Chicago (edited January 08, 2003).]
[This message has been edited by Chicago (edited January 08, 2003).]
Syd's Mom, I love the idea of visuals - I think I will try to gather as many items as possible and since I am speaking first, perhaps I will get there early and have that be an activity while we are waiting for everyone to get there.
Chicago, thanks for the info on the clothes! My kids wear uniforms, so it won't be an issue at school, but that is great general info! I do have an Epi-pen trainer, and I'm hoping my son's teacher will use my expired Epi to practice in an orange at the inservice. I also made an action plan, based on FAAN's plan that is laminated and posted in every room where my son might go in the school. The school is so small (150 kids, pre-K through 8) that I'm pretty sure everyone has seen it, but maybe I'll bring a few extras just in case no one has seen it yet! This particular handout I've been working on is intended to be "peanut-allergy-at-a-glance", if you will, something that hits all the high points and would be something they could refer back to if necessary.
Thanks so much for the input!
------------------
Be safe,
~Dawn~
The inservice went well and the visuals was a big hit! Had the teachers worried about their lipstick. They were surprised by the things pnt can be in and I know I got them thinking. They were all very interested and took it all very seriously. There was even a teacher-prompted discussion about how to call 911 the fastest (who would make the call, when, from where).
Thanks for the input!
------------------
Be safe,
~Dawn~
Dawn, congratulations on coming through with such a successful inservice on such short notice! You are an inspiration to the rest of us. It's great to hear how seriously the teachers took the information. Good job! [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img] Miriam
Well, thank you! (as I blush away)
------------------
Be safe,
~Dawn~
Dawn - glad you're training the teacher went well.
Bumping up for Moxymom. [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]
Warm regards,
Bumping up for williamsmummy. Hope it helps. [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]
Another yikes...I am presenting at our school's PTO meeting tomorrow night.
I present to you, for your unmitigated critique, my notes. Please be brutal and help me correct anything that needs correcting. I need this to be concise and accurate as I am not allotted a whole lot of time. Andrea, if it's okay with you, I think I might like to include your poem with handouts to the parents.
My name is Dawn X.
My husband and I moved here with our 4 kids 2 years ago from Texas.
We are so happy to have found XX(school) because among many good things,
everyone here has helped me address one of my passions, which is peanut allergy.
We now have 7 students here at XX with peanut allergy. And with your help, we will have zero reactions.
Most children diagnosed with peanut allergy are diagnosed at an early age.
My own son, Joshua, had what I
I just wanted to note that I know I left out some key things, such as how Josh should have had the epi at his first reaction, that they have to give a 2nd epi if conditions don't improve, among, probably, several other ommissions, but this is for the parents, not the teachers. I have already done another training for the teachers just before school started a few weeks ago, so they are all well versed on how to handle a reaction and particularly, how to avoid one.
Now, I'm looking to introduce pa to the uninitiated without throwing too much at them.