In this article we look at Food Allergy Week and give some suggestions on how to teach students with Allergies.
Would you know where to find information regarding students with allergies?
Are you aware of School’s Management Plans?
Do you feel confident that you can provide adequate care for students with allergies?
Food Allergy Week (FAW) is the 21st to the 27th of May. This is an initiative of Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia (A&AA) and is dedicated to promoting community understanding of food allergy to help protect those at risk.
Australia has the highest incidence of food allergy in the world, with Melbourne being known and recognised as the Allergy capital of the World. So when teaching students with allergies you should always know what the allergy is and what the symptoms are.
Nothing prepares a parent for the anxiety of when their allergy child goes to school. The rug feels like it’s been ripped from under their feet when their child enters through the school gate into someone else’s care. It can take a while for parents to feel confident with the School’s Management Plan, keeping up communication with the school and the teacher. Food Allergy Week is designed to help raise the awareness of teaching students with allergies.
We asked an ‘allergy parent’ to explain in more detail:
“I identify as an ‘allergy mum’. This means I have children with severe allergies and in one case anaphylaxis. My youngest child, now 10 had his first anaphylactic reaction at 4 months to dairy. Anaphylaxis is a severe and sudden allergic reaction when a person is exposed to an allergen. It was an eye opener to the world of allergies, trying to protect your child and being vigilant at all times.
Once my children had settled into school I started to feel a little more comfortable with their Management Plan. I stopped anxiously watching my phone waiting for a call. You start to relax. And then you get message that your child’s teacher will be away and that they will have a CRT.
So what happens when you enter a school as a Casual Relief Teacher and you are given a class with a student/s who have an allergy?
I know at my kids’ school; a folder is given to each CRT. When they open the folder the first full coloured page shows the children with allergies and notes on each. I expect that this is the norm at all the Primary Schools.
But what happens in Secondary Schools?
When you are teaching students with allergies in Secondary schools, teachers expect students to be more independent and responsible?”
Based on the feedback from allergy parents, Your Teaching Agency has come up with 5 Top Tips for CRT’s to be aware of when teaching students with allergies:
Ensure you have adequate knowledge
Make sure you have adequate knowledge to recognise an allergic reaction and what to do in an emergency. This online course is free and can be accessed on ASCIA's website - https://www.allergy.org.au/.
For online PD in relation to allergic reactions visit - https://etraining.allergy.org.au/
Be aware of the medical needs
It is important to have enough information about the students in your care. Every school will have notes that you can access regarding specific medical conditions, eg. Anaphylaxis, asthma. Make yourself aware of the action plan for each student if required.
Avoid offering food to any students
Food should not be given out as prizes. Rewards for good behavior can easily be given as chocolate or lollies, but to an allergy child this can be detrimental or excluding. Students love to be recognised and praised, and a reward can come in many other forms.
Avoid using an overpowering amount of perfume!
Many children are affected by the smell which can cause severe hay fever, sneezing, coughing and rashes.
Ask if you are not sure
Allergies can be life threatening. Take the time to ensure you are confident to provide adequate care for each and every student and ask questions if you feel you need more clarification.
During Food Allergy Week we also look at what the differences are between an EpiPen and Anapen
An EpiPen and an Anapen are auto injectable devices that deliver the drug epinephrine. They are used when someone is experiencing a severe allergic reaction.
Important Resource Links when teaching students with allergies :
https://etraining.allergy.org.au/
Food Allergy Week is a great way to highlight what to do when you are teaching students with allergies.
