Celiac Disease in Children - Tips for School

Celiac Disease in Children

Children who have celiac disease have a medically diagnosed condition which is different to a food intolerance. Children with celiac disease should avoid eating foods which contain any gluten and should also avoid cross contamination of their food with others (bread crumbs, sharing of food items and utensils etc). Someone with celiac disease is unable to safely eat gluten as part of their diet - it is not a lifestyle choice nor is it something that is being done as part of a fad, trend or because they are trialling something a bit different. Celiac disease is a condition which needs to be taken seriously - while it will not cause the sudden, dramatic response that something such as a peanut allergy can do, it can have both short term and longer term consequences.

Celiac Disease at School

Some simple steps can make the life of a child with celiac disease at school much easier. These include:

• Educating the class teacher and other staff at the school about celiac disease - check out the resources and fact sheets from your local celiac society or organisation, or ask your doctor or health centre for advice.
• Make the child aware that it is highly unlikely they are the only person at school with celiac disease, and that there are others in the school who probably have various food problems and issues.
• Think through what happens on activities away from the school when the normal food management routine is altered (such as on an excursion or camp).
• Plan where and how a child with celiac disease will eat their meals at school - don’t go overboard here, as you want to avoid the child feeling ‘different’ or being ostracised because of their food issues.
• Focus on celiac disease (and any other food issues in the classroom) becoming simply another part of what we need to consider when we plan for and eat a meal.
• Talk to children who are in the class about the importance of not sharing food as this could cause the child with celiac disease to consume something which contains gluten without realising it.

Remember that celiac disease in children is not something new, although it may be for a teacher who has never heard of the condition before. Take your time educating others about celiac disease, and make sure everyone involved feels free to ask questions and further their knowledge - after all, the more people know about celiac disease in children and adults, the better!