Food allergies are serious conditions that threaten lives of many people, most importantly children studying in schools. Food allergy or food hypersensitivity is nothing but the body’s reaction to various types of food consisting of proteins and other constituents. Hence only certified allergists are required to diagnose food allergies.
Symptoms of food allergies vary adversely among various individuals because of differences in exposure to various food allergens. Time of the attack as well as the severity of the allergy depends greatly on the type of food that has been eaten. Skin irritation, hives, rashes, eczema and gastrointestinal symptoms which include diarrhea, vomiting, running nose, sneezing, asthma, etc are the most common symptoms of food allergies.
If left without treating properly, allergies can lead to severe anaphylaxis, a serious condition which requires instantaneous medical attention. As a following result one also gets conditions like itching, hives, asthmatic attack, swelling in throat, drop in blood pressure and also unconsciousness.
However, in the case of proper incorporation of food allergy management, students can be safely handled without running much risk. This secret to effective management, lies in knowing the various responsibilities of the various concerned parties. By this way, those students who run food allergies are given safe and sound education about it.
It is the responsibility of the family of these students with food allergies to let the schools know about this condition. A plan should be worked out by the families working in unison with the administration in the schools to create a suitable environment and accommodate necessary medical attention as and when required similar to the ( Food Allergy Action Plan)FAAP. Submission of documents and other instructions should be submitted under this plan herewith a photo attached.
Medicines post their expiry date must be discarded and replaced and also neatly labeled. Children should be educated by the parents on safe handling of medicines, unsafe food stuffs, symptoms of allergies, label reading of various types of foods, time to ensure the change in one’s body is allergy, etc. Policies and procedures with child and physician of the child should be reviewed on a constant basis. Information on where and whom to contact should be left for times of emergency.
Federal laws, state and district policies should be well read by the schools in question. The child’s health recorded provided to them by the parents or the child’s physician should be reviewed on a regular basis. A team pertaining to an immediate action force within the school consisting of principal, teachers, nurses, a nutrition director, counselor, etc should be formed immediately to establish an immediate action force.
However like all other children students with food allergies must be treated equally and should be engaged in all school activities. Details about field trips and food habits of the child whilst on these trips should be thoroughly discussed with the parents.
Co-operation and co-ordination of the school staff is essential in order to implement the FAAP. All immediate medication should be made easily available well within the school campus itself, however following all rules stated under the federal law.
Through proper care and cooperation the child can come over his or her food allergy. This shows us that planning and implementing these food habits will definitely lead to healthy life for the child with the help of the school of course.
Abhishek Agarwal
http://www.articlesbase.com/Health-articles/managing-food-allergies-at-schools-708853.html
#1 by Patricia W on June 29, 2010 - 6:06 pm
My husband doesn't take care of his son (my step). I have to be the primary caregiver. What should I do?
My step-son has special needs- ADHD, food allergies, asperger’s syndrome, is on about 10 meds which have to be dispensed in certain dosages at certain times of the day.
I have to take care of ALL of this on the days he is with us (my husband has 1/2 custody)- managing the dietary needs, dispensing the medications, keeping his schedule, transporting him to/from school and activities, making sure homework and studying is done (sometimes taking up to 3 hours to complete this as my husband sits on the computer.
I have 2 children with my husband. 1 of whom, my step bickers with CONSTANTLY over the littlest things- one time it has gotten physical. The other child he clearly favors and will do anything to please. I hate to always favor the child that gets picked on, but I feel s/he needs protecting.
I am beginning to resent not only my step, but also my husband for the minimal help he offers. I dread the days that he is with us, and the family has a much happier dynamic on the days my step is with his mother. Help!
#2 by Aggie on June 29, 2010 - 11:08 pm
Talking to the child’s mother is probably the best route.
References :
#3 by Derek on June 29, 2010 - 11:10 pm
Ask him for more help.then tell him how you feel
References :
#4 by Yo mama on June 29, 2010 - 11:12 pm
you need to take him back to his momma and stop trying to be someting you are not. Stepmother’s are so annoying.
References :
#5 by Jay R on June 29, 2010 - 11:14 pm
You’re clearly the efficient, organized and committed one. The boy is very fortunate to have you in his life. I imagine that once your talents became clear to the man in question, he gladly stepped back and let you take care of things. Would talking help? Counseling? Blackmail? Just kidding. Good luck with this difficult situation.
References :
#6 by I'm a Riot. on June 29, 2010 - 11:16 pm
I can’t tolerate dad’s who dump their previous children on the new wife. I told my husband if he can’t be here to parent them, they don’t need to be here.
Now he takes vacation days for visitation. It’s a lot less tense.
If I were you., I’d get a job and be totally unavailable for fulfilling the boy’s needs.
EDIT: Though I acknowledge the woman below has tremendous expertise, there is NO WAY you could’ve known how relentless your step-son’s needs would be or how little you husband would contribute or how all this would make you feel. Indeed, I did cut and run because my husband wouldn’t help much, and I had bipolar myself. Not everyone is cut out for dealing with a special needs child. It’s just the truth, it’s not a moral position.
References :
Daughter is bipolar; it was unbearable and led to our divorce
#7 by alastrione on June 29, 2010 - 11:18 pm
I’m going to be rather blunt and get to the pith here.
I will assume three things (pls correct me if I am wrong).
1) you had some idea when you married this man that his son whom he has joint custody with has special needs (one of which is on the autism spectrum – a disability that is known for tearing families apart).
2)some part of his break up had to do with his son’s disability (90% divorce rate for families with a child on the autism spectrum).
3) you have two children with him, so you have been with him at least more than a year – so this has been going on for awhile.
A woman who marries a man with children should assume she will have to take a nurturing role, especially if he has joint or full custody.
You have allowed him to not care for his son, you can try to counter this by not caring for him. This will most likely lead to your husband being discontent because this is how he escapes from the reality of his son’s disability, and his son not getting proper care while at your home. Which will lead to even more problems as the child’s behavior deteriorate. Did he help his previous wife?
You are in an untenable position, sadly one you should have seen coming. I wish you the best but sincerely see hard times ahead.
My advice to you, speak to your husband about his lack of care-giving (I hope I am wrong, but I don’t think he will be too accomadating). Get ready for a long seige. Don’t stop caring for your step-son, unless you are willing for things to get worse (and don’t care that he is suffering). You can always try getting out of the house with you two normal children and leave you husband and son for some "quality time."
I am sure your family dynamics are much happier when you step-son is not there . . . sadly the vast majority of families with mod – severe autism could say the same.
Lastly you can do what a vast majority of biological parents do . . . cut and run.
References :
Mother of a 13yr old with profound autism, and a 7yr old who with hypoxic brain injury. Community Parent Advocate for Families with Special Needs Children. RNC BSN
#8 by Cam's Mommy on June 29, 2010 - 11:20 pm
Boy is this bringing back memories…I helped raise my ex-husband’s son w/Asperger’s, from the age of 2 to 14. His mom wasn’t in the picture because she was a complete flake, so after the age of 4 we never saw or heard from her again. I had to do all the research, join all the online groups, keep everything organized, help with homework and be the main disciplinarian. I had a son of my own from my previous marriage, and when the ex’s son started being verbally and physically abusive to my son, then threatening to kill me because I was ‘mean’, and my ex still refused to do any disciplining (besides letting him go waaay too far then spanking him in anger) I had enough. My son and I left. I haven’t talked to him in about four years.
Since you have kids with your husband it’s a different story, but you need to sit him down, make him look you in the eyes and focus on what you’re saying (dads of Aspie kids often have some of their tendencies) and let him know just how burned out you are and how serious the situation is. If you let the resentment grow it’ll eventually go beyond anyone’s ability to fix. You’ve gone above and beyond for your stepson but your own children (and you) shouldn’t have to suffer for it!
References :
Horrible personal experience. :^(
#9 by James on June 29, 2010 - 11:22 pm
First off
My condolences to your situation. I know it must be hard raising a Child with special needs. 2nd of all you’ve gotta stay strong. You sound like an awesome mom don’t give up! Next off all I would try and have a talk with your Husband. Tell him exactly how your feeling. You never know he may think everything is perfectly fine. Sit him down and tell him that you would like him to start helping out raising your Step-Son. Tell him that your feeling very overwhelmed and really need some help. Third off I think you should sit down with your Step-Son and tell him that his behavior needs to improve. I would also suggest a Marital and or Family Concealer.
References :
Big Brother to 3 amazing girls ages 10,9,7
#10 by Christy C on June 29, 2010 - 11:24 pm
Tell him everything you stated here. If he values you at all, he will pay attention to what you are telling him, and take steps to solve the issues. If that doesn’t work, go on strike . Make him do *everything* you have to do for HIS kid plus your own. Maybe he’ll get the picture then. Good luck!
References :