Navigating School with a Celiac Child

Sending your celiac child to school means handing over control of their eating environment for 6+ hours a day. It’s anxiety-inducing.

But it’s manageable. Here’s what I’ve learned.

Before School Starts

Meet with Staff

Before the first day, meet with:

• The school nurse
• Your child’s teacher(s)
• The cafeteria manager
• Anyone else who’ll supervise eating

Bring information about celiac disease. Assume they don’t know much. Explain:

• It’s an autoimmune disease, not an allergy or preference
• Even small amounts cause damage
• Cross-contamination is a real concern
• What your child can and cannot eat

Create a Written Plan

Document everything:

• What celiac disease is
• Safe and unsafe foods for your child
• Emergency contact information
• What to do if accidental exposure occurs
• Approved snacks and treats

Give copies to everyone who needs them.

Consider a 504 Plan

In the US, celiac disease can qualify for a 504 plan, a formal document requiring the school to accommodate your child’s medical needs.

A 504 plan might include:

• Safe food storage space
• Permission to carry emergency snacks
• Modifications for class parties and events
• Protocol for field trips
• Training requirements for staff

The formality of a 504 plan gives legal backing to your child’s needs.

The Lunch Room

Packed Lunch (Safest)

Packing your child’s lunch is the most reliable approach:

• You control everything
• No surprises
• No cross-contamination from cafeteria

Make it good: Packed lunches shouldn’t feel like punishment. Include foods your child actually likes. GF alternatives to what other kids eat. Fun stuff occasionally.

School Lunch (Possible with Precautions)

If the cafeteria can accommodate:

• Work with the cafeteria manager to identify safe options
• Establish protocol for preparing/serving your child’s food
• Have a clear communication system (checking menu ahead of time)
• Consider a backup packed lunch for days the menu doesn’t work

I’ve seen this work well in some schools and terribly in others. It depends on the cafeteria staff’s understanding and commitment.

The Social Aspect

Kids notice what other kids eat. Your child might feel different with packed lunch while others eat cafeteria food.

Address this:

• Normalize it: “Different kids need different foods. This is your normal.”
• Make the packed lunch appealing
• Help them understand and explain their condition
• Connect them with other kids who have food restrictions if possible

Class Parties and Treats

This is where problems often happen. Birthday cupcakes appear. Holiday parties happen. Food is everywhere.

Establish Protocol

Work with the teacher to establish:

• Advance notice when food will be involved
• Approved list of safe treats the teacher can keep on hand
• Your child’s permission to only eat what they bring
• Communication when surprise food appears

The Emergency Stash

Send a supply of safe treats to school:

• Sealed, labeled, stored in classroom
• For when unexpected food events happen
• Your child has something instead of nothing

Replenish periodically.

Talking to Other Parents

Consider a note to class parents explaining your child’s needs:

• Many parents will try to include your child if they know
• Some will bring or approve GF options
• At minimum, they’ll understand why your child isn’t eating what everyone else has

When Your Child Has to Say No

Prepare your child to decline food politely:

“No thank you, I can’t eat that because of my celiac disease.”

Role-play this at home. The more comfortable they are, the easier it is.

Field Trips

Field trips mean eating in unfamiliar environments.

Plan Ahead

• Know what food will be available
• Pack a complete lunch and snacks
• Brief the chaperone on your child’s needs
• Consider whether you can chaperone yourself

Restaurants on Field Trips

If the class is stopping at a restaurant:

• Research the restaurant in advance
• Call ahead about GF options
• Pack a backup meal in case it doesn’t work out
• Make sure your child knows what they can order

Staff Training

School staff usually want to help but don’t know how.

What They Need to Know

• Basic celiac education (what it is, why GF matters)
• How to read a label
• What cross-contamination looks like
• Your child’s specific safe and unsafe foods
• What to do if something goes wrong

Resources

• Written guides you create
• Celiac foundation materials
• Websites with school-specific information
• Possibly meeting with a dietitian

Ongoing Communication

Check in regularly:

• Is the plan working?
• Have there been any incidents?
• Any questions or concerns?
• Updates as your child’s needs change

Teaching Your Child

As your child gets older, they need to become their own advocate.

Age-Appropriate Education

• Young kids: “This food makes you sick. Only eat what we give you.”
• Elementary: Basic understanding of celiac, recognizing safe vs. unsafe, asking adults for help
• Middle school: Reading labels themselves, asking questions at restaurants, explaining to friends
• High school: Full self-management

Practice at Home

Let them practice:

• Reading labels
• Asking questions about food
• Politely declining unsafe food
• Explaining celiac to others

Build Confidence

Your child needs to believe their health is worth protecting, even when it’s socially awkward. Model this. Affirm it. Help them see it as self-care, not limitation.

When Things Go Wrong

Despite everyone’s best efforts, accidents happen.

Have a Plan

• Who to call
• What symptoms to watch for
• Whether to keep child at school or send home
• Documentation of the incident

Handle with Grace

When staff make mistakes:

• Assume good intentions
• Focus on fixing the problem and preventing future incidents
• Don’t blame publicly (your child has to continue in this environment)
• Escalate if repeated problems occur

Support Your Child

If they get sick at school:

• Comfort first
• Process what happened together
• Reinforce that they didn’t do anything wrong
• Problem-solve for next time

The Long Game

Your goal is a child who:

• Understands their condition
• Can advocate for themselves
• Feels confident managing food situations
• Doesn’t feel defined or limited by celiac

School years are when this foundation is built. The vigilance is worth it.