Tips for choosing the right preschool for your food allergy child…and yourself.

It’s that time of year. If you are a food allergy parent on the hunt for your child’s first preschool, then you probably have a great deal of anxiety right about…NOW!

On today’s episode, Sue talks with Kathleen McDarby, RN MPH about all the important things to consider while considering options for your child. Some of the topics discussed are researching programs, dialogue with school administration/teachers and setting up a food allergy action plan. The ladies also talk about anticipating the unexpected and preparing your child (and yourself) for a positive school experience.

FAME is designed to:

• Provide schools with the components of a comprehensive school-based food allergy program to promote best practices
• Offer resources and materials to schools and families across the country to assist them with creating a safe, nurturing educational environment for children with food allergies
• Increase awareness that children who have both asthma and food allergies tend to be more severe and are at increased risk of anaphylaxis which is a rapid, severe allergic reaction. It can cause difficulty breathing, swelling, dizziness, and even death.

Kathleen McDarby, RN, MPH

Kathleen began researching and developing the St. Louis Children’s Hospital’s Food Allergy Management & Education (FAME) Program in 2009 and is the program director. As program manager, she established program goals and developed educational materials for schools as well as families that promote best practice in school-based food allergy management. One of the program goals is to keep children with food allergies safe within a nurturing academic environment. In spring of 2011, her team completed the FAME Manual and Tool-kit for all school personnel and families.

In 2012, she led efforts to convene a National FAME Advisory Board. This board is made-up of individuals such as leading allergists, registered dietitians, school nurses, nutritionist and those who represent national organizations with expertise in allergies and anaphylaxis as well as parents. Kathleen is on the Board of Directors for the Asthma Allergy Foundation of America, St. Louis chapter.

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The post Picking a Preschool for Your Food Allergy Child – Things to Know appeared first on Parenting Food Allergies.