The evening our son Max received his food allergy diagnosis, I felt an overwhelming sense of urgency. My mind raced past the immediate concerns of identifying safe snack options and jumped straight to his teenage years. “How will he ever navigate social events, go to camp, or date safely?” I lamented to my partner.
His calm response, “He’s only 4. We have time to work through this,” proved to be wise. As it turns out, building Max’s confidence and independence has been a gradual process filled with small victories. Now 13, he has successfully enjoyed many summers away from home.
As a parent, my mission is to equip my children with the skills they need to thrive. For those with food allergies, additional lessons are essential. Collaborating with fellow parents, allergists, and child psychologists, I compiled a list of critical skills for food-allergic children. While each child learns at their own pace, the following suggested ages are mere guidelines.
While we haven’t yet tackled dating or travel, this list serves as a valuable resource for gradual learning and exploration.
Early Childhood
- Understand the concept of food allergies and that certain foods can cause sickness.
- Identify allergens and learn to avoid them. Use online images or toy foods for practice.
- Communicate their allergies to others, saying things like, “I’m allergic to strawberries.”
- Know who to turn to in case of an allergic reaction, both at home and elsewhere.
Preschool
- Recognize and describe symptoms of an allergic reaction.
- Practice key allergy phrases, such as, “Is this safe? I’m allergic to shellfish.”
- Refuse foods that are unsafe for them.
- Inquire about food safety in new situations, like parties or holidays.
- Express gratitude to those who help keep them safe, including caregivers and friends.
- Start carrying their auto-injector in their backpack.
- Wear a medical ID bracelet.
- Have an allergen-free supply of snacks at school for unexpected food events.
- Role-play ordering food at home to build confidence.
- Observe grocery shopping and learn how to read labels, even if they can’t read yet.
Elementary School
- Recognize common foods that may contain hidden allergens, such as baked goods.
- Read food labels and understand important warnings.
- Order food independently in restaurants.
- Inform teachers and classmates about their allergies.
- Discuss the importance of avoiding allergens around them with friends.
- Take responsibility for carrying and remembering their auto-injectors.
- Practice with a trainer for auto-injectors.
- Use an expired auto-injector on an orange to understand the pressure needed during use.
- Start advocating for themselves by asking others not to eat allergens nearby.
- Comprehend what “life-threatening allergy” means in a developmentally appropriate way.
Middle School
- Self-advocate in unsupervised social situations, like sleepovers and outings.
- Own the responsibility for carrying their auto-injectors, using reminders if needed.
- Encourage friends to support them in social settings, including teaching them how to use an auto-injector.
- Be capable of administering an auto-injector to themselves.
- Know their emergency action plan, including post-injection procedures.
- Participate in 504 or planning meetings to understand daily and emergency protocols.
- Recognize the risks involved with dating and kissing when allergies are present.
High School
- Consider leading or planning their own 504 meetings.
- Contact event organizers in advance to discuss safe food options.
- Initiate conversations about dating and kissing with food allergies.
- Prepare for solo travel.
- Research college options and reach out to disability offices regarding food allergy accommodations.
This article was initially published on March 6, 2017. For those interested in related topics, you can explore more about fertility journeys in this article. Additionally, if you seek authoritative guidance on pregnancy matters, visit this comprehensive resource on IVF. Understanding the challenges and victories of parenthood is a shared journey, and by educating our children, we empower them to lead safe and fulfilling lives, even with food allergies.
Summary:
Parents of food-allergic children must equip them with essential skills to ensure their safety and independence. Starting from early childhood through high school, these skills encompass understanding food allergies, effective communication, self-advocacy, and preparation for social situations. By gradually introducing these concepts, parents can help their children navigate their food allergies confidently.