It’s that time of year, again, when many families are thinking of school uniforms, stationery lists, bus rides, after-school care, and children being able to socially connect with friends again and meet their new teachers.

It is also when parents of a coeliac child are wondering if their child’s new teacher knows what coeliac disease is and understands what this means for your child and how it impacts life at school for them.
Will the teacher know or educate other children about coeliac disease and tips for keeping their friends safe? Will the teacher know the signs of a child who has been glutened and allow them to use the toilet anytime in the middle of class? Will they be caring when this happens?

The reality is that a new teacher and classmates are unlikely to know about coeliac disease unless you or your child educates them.

Coeliac disease is more than a food allergy - it is an autoimmune disease that requires a strict gluten-free diet for life after diagnosis is made. It's not contagious and medicine or drugs are not required, however, if gluten is ingested or accidental cross-contamination occurs a child with coeliac disease can experience vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, cramps, blisters on the tongue, fatigue, paleness, rash to name a few symptoms. Potential long-term complications of coeliac disease if a strict gluten-free diet is not followed include weakening of the bones (osteoporosis), iron deficiency anemia, an increased risk of infertility and miscarriage, heart disease, intestinal cancer, and neurological conditions such as epilepsy and migraines.

It is all of our responsibility to raise awareness about coeliac disease so that our school communities have more understanding about the condition and can adapt the learning environment so that your child does not feel left out. It is important that schools know that there are other times beyond lunchtime when a child can encounter gluten and risk becoming ill due to cross-contamination, including during

• Art Class (play dough, pasta & cereal)
• Class treats, birthday parties, school trips
• Food technology, baking/bake sales (flour)
• Breakfast club or tuck shop

The ‘Living Coeliac Safe Toolkit’ prepared by Coeliac NZ includes pages you can use with the homeroom and food technology teacher, class or tuck shop manager, or the school nurse. If you would like a copy of a Back-to-School Letter for your new teacher and a copy of the Living Coeliac Safe Toolkit for schools in pdf form, contact our Health Promotion Manager – Lisa Jury on healthpromotion@coeliac.org.nz