My 5 yr. old had her first reaction at school today on the playground. At her school the 1st-5th graders are allowed to bring a snack (peanut stuff not prohibited)from home and eat it at recess time at the picnic tables. They then go and play without washing their hands. My daughter touched something (presumably peanut residue)on the playground and broke out with hives almost immediately. She told the playground aide, who rushed her into the office where they gave her Benadryl and called me. I flew up to the school in a panic and stayed until the hives went away. Luckily we didn't have to use the Epi. And the thing is, I KNEW this was going to happen as soon as I heard about the older kids having snacks out by the playground. The school doesn't seem to have any intention of making any changes -- what am I supposed to do? She deserves to be able to go play at recess safely - just like any other kid.
1st Reaction at School
Posted on: Thu, 09/23/2004 - 2:25pm
Peanut Free Store
More Articles
Peanut Allergy
You already know that if you or your child has a peanut allergy you need to avoid peanut butter. Some...
Food Allergies
There are many reasons why you may want to substitute almond flour for wheat flour in recipes. Of course, if you have a...
Food
Are you looking for peanut-free candies as a special treat for a child with...
Food
Do you have a child with peanut allergies and an upcoming birthday? Perhaps you'd like to bake a...
Food
Most nut butters provide all the same benefits: an easy sandwich spread, a great dip for veggies, a fun addition to a smoothie. But not...
net_guru_2u2, I'm very sorry to hear of your daughter's reaction. [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/frown.gif[/img] How is she now?
Do you have a 504 Plan in place?
Best wishes! [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]
I'm so sorry to hear of your daughter's reaction. [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/frown.gif[/img]
Is the school making any provisions for your daughter's safety at all? As Cindy asked, does she have a 504 plan?
Is the principal aware of her reaction? How about the school nurse? Is there anyone who seems to understand the seriousness of the problem?
Keep in touch and good luck.
Miriam
My daughter is fine today. I'm just scared that the school's going to call me again at recess time. She is very touch sensitive.
I have provided the school with an Emergency Health Care Plan, letters from her pediatrician and the allergy/asthma specialist, a list of what to look for on ingredient labels, a list of unusual or unexpected sources of peanuts, medication & EpiPen instructions, we've had meetings with the principal & teacher and a phone meeting with the district school nurse discussing what we will give to the school, what we want the school to do, teacher responsibilities, etc. The allergy/asthma specialist even called the principal and talked with her and offered to do a training session for the staff. She declined and said they have it all under control.
Is a Section 504 an actual form to fill out or does everything I detailed out for them above cover it?
There is another woman in our support group whose daughter wears batting gloves when playing on public playgrounds because she is also very contact sensitive. Perhaps you could try something similar if the school is not willing to change the policy.
Could they enforce a hand wiping policy at least?? Maybe if they have boxes of wipes and have the kids use them before playing the residue will be diminished. That would be easy to do, but will cost money for someone.
I just do not see why they do not reaxamine the policy of this snacking without washing where your child is playing. I think they need to snack inside and wash. Of course then the residue is inside somewhere, in a class or whatever. Hmmm. Might be safer outside in the fresh air.
The gloves is a good idea, but I hope your child would not be teased.
Can they send a not home and strongly urge parents to not send PN snacks for the playground snacks? Not sure, but it sounds very nervewracking at best. becca
My cub was offered a cookie while on the playground this year by another child at recess. (despite a no-food-on-playground rule) Not sure if this child was "in school" or one from the surrounding neighborhood there to play. Either way, he told the aides on the playground overseeing his class about the incident. (He refused the cookie).
I would never depend on him soley to refuse. Just noting what happened. Glad he did.
I can't imagine the playground without a "no-food-on the playground" rule.
They allow children to eat while they are playing? Sounds dangerous and gross.
It definitely is going to influence any updates I request to the IEP.
You need a 504 plan. It goes one step further than a Health Care Plan. It gives you right to accommodations like no food on the playground.
Each school district in the U.S. is required to have a 504 coordinator. It could be the building principal or someone in the administration office.
Call your school district and find out who the 504 coordinator is. If it is your building prinicpal...request a 504.
If it is denied or any reasonable accommodations are denied then go straight to the superintendent's office.
WOW! I just joined this site and am so glad I did. I am having similar problems. My son is touch sensitive, and I have cornered the problem up 'till now. He was in a peanut free preschool and went to G-ma's house for daycare. Everything was so easy...then came Kindergarten. He is in a private school. I thought I had scared them into understanding. However, I received a note asking parents to send in all kinds of spooky (at least to me) candy for the Halloween party. My first instinct was to pull him out and home school him...but I found this site and we now have a meeting set up to decide on specific procedures for his class. I am so interested in how others have set up these "504" plans. I'M A TEACHER AND HAVE NO IDEA HOW TO GO ABOUT IT! I've never had to. IEP's I know; 504's I don't.
Thanks for giving me the strength to stand up instead of run.
------------------
Safety before popularity,
PAnut
Thank you for the glove idea! It is cool enough in the mornings that wearing gloves won't be questioned by the other children (daughter is in AM kindergarten). She has worn gloves this week for recess and hasn't had any reactions.
I'm researching the 504 plans and working on how we want everything laid out. I questioned the allergy/asthma specialist about it, but he didn't know what one was and when I explained, he didn't think we needed one. I'm thinking we need a different doc!