Food Allergy Within the School Setting

by Angela Fuller, Founder & President of Food Allergy Families of the Triad

With an average of 2 children per classroom diagnosed with food allergy, it's common for school age children to have a friend with food allergies.  Food allergy is a potentially deadly disability that affects nearly 6 million children in the U.S.  Special accommodations are often necessary for food allergic children to attend school.  Classmates might be restricted from bringing foods containing allergens into the classroom, the food allergic child may eat special treats during classroom celebrations and the child often carries a special bag containing life threatening medication.  Although such precautions are necessary to keep a food allergic child safe, it can bring unwanted attention from classmates and school staff.  Being perceived as "different" can be an invitation for bullying.

A recent study reveals over 30% of school age children report being bullied specifically because of their food allergies.  60% of the time, the bullying incident occurred at school.  In nearly half of the reports, the allergic food was involved in the bullying, with that food being waved in the child's face, the food wiped on the child or his belongings or the child being forced to touch it.  Teasing and harassment was the most commonly reported form of bullying and 86% reported repeated episodes.  Even though classmates were the most common perpetrator, a surprising and concerning 20% of the cases reported teasing and harassment from teachers and/or school staff.

Food allergic children already have to worry about keeping life saving medication close at hand, reading labels, not allowing others to touch food, washing hands, not touching uncleaned surfaces, and staying in tune with their body to notice even subtle changes that may signal an allergic reaction.  Children who are bullied experience increased feelings of sadness, embarrassment, depression, or humiliation.  Talking to all children and school staff about bullying can help create an environment of acceptance and tolerance.

To learn more about what we can do to support these students, visit Parenting Food Allergies