wearing epi in kidergarten

My son is in 2nd grade and he does not wear his epi. He has a red emergency bag that travels with him where ever he goes.
The school has been pushing for my son to wear it himself because its one more way they can not be held responsible.(imho)
If your child always wears an epi, I would still have something else with the teacher, so its not the responsibility of a k student.

My nine-year-old daughter is a third grader. In our 504 meeting, the decision was made that she will not wear her epi. We felt it best that she appear as "normal" as possible when interacting with her classmates, and heaven forbid some rotten kids start trying to grab it away from her on the playground.
We hammered out this protocol:
1) one emergency kit is kept in the office.
2) the second emergency kit is in her backpack, and thus is in her classroom if the teacher needs to grab it. Kylie carries her backpack to her different weekly classes (music, PE, art). All teachers have been trained.
3) Before 3rd grade lunch, one of the lunch ladies takes the kit from the office and keeps it with her during lunch and the recess that follows.
So there is always and epi and benadryl nearby wherever she is, but the responsibility of carrying the kit will be on an adult's shoulders for a few more years.

My situation is similar to TNAmom.
I am a big supporter of the being "normal" thing.
There is an emergency kit in the nurses office, with him and with the bus driver.
He carries his bag to recess,music ect and gives it to the teacher in charge. At lunch he keeps it with him at his table where btw he eats with his class everyday.
Its whatever you are comfortable with. We too like to leave it on the shoulders of adults for now.
If he had been wearing an epi belt it from the start so early it may be different.

My PA son wears his epi every day.
In our particular case, even though we are in half day kindergarten only, they leave the room to go to all these different rooms every day. PE, Music, Science, Library, Computer Lab (*block teachers*) - then the occasional fire drill, or tour of a different part of the school. Then of course the daily recess. In our meetings with ALL of these teachers that come into contact with our PA son and his twin (can't forget the other guy!) We showed them the epi-mate belt & holder that PA son would have on. That way if some one sees him *down* (heaven forbid) they know to go directly to him and start administering the epi, as they are calling for some one else to dial 911.
I understand what others are saying about placing the responsibility on the adults rather than the 5 (now 6) year old. But I feel that this places the responsibility on me the parent to make sure he has it on him each & every day, rather than leaving it up to 5 to 10 different adults to remember it EVERY time he moves from one room to another.
Another thing to add to this is that in our particular case, we have had some where between 5 and 10 different substitute teachers come in to the class room and teach for the day - or part of the day. The thought of worrying about whether they would remember to "pass off" the epi to the *block* teachers makes my head spin.
So far, he hasn't ever played with it or taken it off. If that ever happens, we'll have to re-think the issue then.
When he first started kindergarten, several kids asked him what it was - he told me that he just said "nothing" and left it at that. No one pushed the issue, or bugged him about it after that. At least half the time, his shirt is covering it anyway - so no one even knows it is there.
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Sherlyn
Mom to 6 year old twins Ben & Mike - one PA & the other not.
Stay Informed And Peanut Free!

My Son started wearing his epi-belt in pre-K, the teacher had another bag that she had with her.
My son is in Kindergarten this year--my Mother made him a new epi-belt--he picked red --Kids ask--but at this age they are so accepting--at least in our experience. And better to be exposed to the concept at an earlier age.
I really like that the epi is on him--it is understood, and in wirting,that he will need help, guidance, an adult to to take complete resposibility for his care---but it is always on him, and I can check every day that it is with him.
1st grade will be at a new school--they also like that one will always be on him--plenty of other epi-pens, benedryl.. ect, in other places in the school.
He will need a new epi-belt for the inhaler he will need before/ during gym class. Still working on the details of that.
That is what we have done--works great for us.

My daughter is in first grade and wears her epipen in a small waist pack. At first I was reluctant to have her wear it, but it has not been an issue with the other kids teasing her (at least not yet!) The good things about having her wear it are that it is always immediately available and she is learning to be responsible for remembering to bring it with her all the time. Also, it serves as a visual reminder to the staff that she has a life-threatening allergy. There are also two back-up epipens which are kept in the school office. So far, there has not been a downside to her wearing it. I made the waist pack for her out of material that she chose. I have told her that wearing the epibelt is like wearing a seat belt in the car. It is for "just in case" of an accident. She seems to feel more secure knowing that it is there.
Cathy
[img]http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a134/cvalvarez/IMG_1870.jpg[/img]
[This message has been edited by Momcat (edited February 02, 2006).]

My daughter is in 1st grade and does not carry her EPI pen. They stay in the nurses office with the exception of lunch and recess when one of the aids carries one of them. My opinion is that until she is ready to administer it herself, an adult must be in control of the medication. I would also have concern with another child wanting to see it and start playing with it. She would have to be mature enough to not let this happen. Maybe in another year or two she will be ready for both situations.
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Keep Smiling
DD - allergic to peanuts, tree nuts, coconut, and egg
[This message has been edited by PurpleCat (edited February 02, 2006).]

I know the situation in school can be quite different due to other kids and what have you, but my daughter has been WEARING her own epipens on her since she was 3. I have always let her select the "pack" that she likes also, and it is so much a part of her that she feels insecure without it on. The only time she doesn't have them on her body is when she is in the swimming pool.
I like the fact that she responds with mild panic when she doesn't know where they are. She should. I figure she won't grow up to be a young adult who leaves them in the car, either.
And because we got tired of "Ohh, what a cute little purse you have there" comments, we got a "star of life" enamelled pin that is VERY prominently displayed on that bag. If the worst were to happen, we figure someone other than us would be able to identify that as emergency medical supplies immediately.
I really feel that this is a matter of "baby steps" training for how I want my child to handle her allergy later. I mean, if she forgets them, we go home to get them. No matter what. Sometimes that is a PITA and she knows we've missed the start of the movies or musical entertainment because she forgot. But I want her to recognize that A) this is always going to be her responsibility, and B) there is nothing more important to her than having those.
Yes, it IS harsh at these young ages... lots of things about PA aren't fair.
JMO.