New classes, new friends, new teachers, new experiences. Back to school is a time of change. It’s also a time to talk to your child and your child’s school – to review allergy plans and make sure they are ready and confident for a new year.
5 quick tips:
- Read your school’s policies on allergy management. If you have questions, talk to the school about it.
- Update your child’s Anaphylaxis Emergency Plan and share it with the school well before the first day of class. If your child has asthma, update this information as well.
- Meet with your child’s teacher, school administration and staff to talk about your child’s allergies and review emergency procedures. Bring an EpiPen® training device and go through the steps together.
- Check the dates on your EpiPens® to make sure they are not about to expire. Your child should carry two of them. Many parents also leave a spare set at the school in case their child forgets to carry them one day. If your child also has asthma puffers, make sure they are full and up-to-date.
- Supply your child’s teacher with safe snacks in case of last minute classroom celebrations.
…Okay, we have MORE than five tips. There’s a number 6, too!
6. Talk to your child. Open the conversation by asking them what they want to talk about, answer their questions and hear what they have to say (without judgement) about the upcoming year and managing their allergies.
Be sure to give them positive feedback for being prepared and managing their allergies/asthma at school. Our kids work hard managing their allergies and they deserve a lot of credit. You do too, as parents! Thanks for all you do!
-The Food Allergy Canada Team