Across the nation, the mass migration of back-to-school for kids and teens is fast approaching. With only a week or two left of summer for most students, parents of allergy sufferers are gearing up to prepare their kids with best practices to avoid a reaction and escape bullying for their symptoms.
In most classrooms, children will find any reason to point out how another student might be "different." This makes most students who have seasonal, food or chronic allergies a prime target. So when it comes to making those back-to-school lists, be sure that talking to your students and children about their allergies is right on top.
According to Tonya Winders, president and CEO of Allergy & Asthma Network, "The keys to preventing bullying are self-confidence and compassion. Children with asthma or allergies who understand their conditions and know how to manage symptoms are less likely to feel threatened by others. And at the same time, raising awareness goes a long way toward creating an environment of acceptance."
When it comes to sending your pride and joy off to their first day of school, here are a few things you can do to make their transition easier:
- Communicate – Talking with your kids about how school is and whether they are having any trouble with keeping foods separate in the cafeteria is an important first step for protecting them from potentially dangerous food allergies.
- Form relationships – Helping your child to develop a positive bond with a teacher or nurse at school who can advise them and safeguard them from potential hazards will set their and your minds at ease.
- School Educate – With so many kids to keep track of, it may seem like there is not much that your child's school can do to protect them from potential hazards. But the fact of the matter is that at school, the primary danger that your allergy sufferer faces is exposure to food triggers. The best thing that school administrators can do is to educate the student body on asthma, allergies and other conditions so that they will know how to prevent reactions and treat them if they occur. It is also critical to establish a zero tolerance policy when it comes to bullying. According to many social psychology professionals, separating kids with food allergies from their peers can negatively impact social development and should be avoided.
No matter what allergies your child has or where they go to school, being sure that they are as safe as possible at school and at home is a primary focus for any parent. For any allergy sufferers, education on allergy solutions is the best way to avoid dangerous reactions. If you are looking for tips, tricks and tools to deal with you symptoms, follow along with this blog. If you are in need of any products or materials, visit Allergy Be Gone today.
