Child Diagnosed with "Allergies"

[Member - logged out]

I am a member here, but logged out for privacy reasons.

DCM emailed me last night saying the DCB (3) was diagnosed with mild allergies to dairy, soy, wheat and egg. I say "allergies" because according to DCM, pedi said DCB can have these foods - just in moderation and there is no life-threatening risk if DCB eats these foods. Based on this, I am thinking they are more of a sensitivity vs an actual allergy. DCM is beginning an elimination diet at home in the name of helping behavior issues.

Side note - DCB was born addicted to meth, has diagnosed sensory issues, was in speech therapy (has since graduated) and has behavior issues.

Per my handbook, I require the following for any child diagnosed with allergies:

* Copy of allergy test
* Letter from pediatrician stating the following:
- What child’s food allergies are.
- Date the allergy was diagnosed.
- What symptoms child experiences if exposed to a food
allergen.
- What steps need to be taken should child be exposed to a
food allergen.

Depending on the severity of the allergen or the severity of the eliminated foods, I may require parents to provide all of their child's meals and snacks. Foods must be pre-prepared (I will only re-heat) and be in compliance with USDA guidelines.

Am I missing anything here?

[Leigh]

I have a ton of allergies. I wouldn't eat if I avoided everything I tested allergic to (or be able to go outdoors or have a pet). I am allergic to peanuts-I can eat them, just in moderation. I'm allergic to beef. I can eat a small steak, but if I have a second piece of prime rib, I'm going to feel the effects.

All allergies aren't life threatening, and if reactions aren't severe, I wouldn't worry about it too much. Ask mom what the child HAS to avoid. I'm allergic to dairy, too, and will react if I drink milk, but I can eat ice cream or cheese with no issue.

[Thriftylady]

I think you are asking for the right things. But I would likely require her to provide all foods, just to get the liability off of me.

When I was younger, I tested positive to many foods, but have still eaten them all. Several months ago, a doctor told me they don't even do blanket allergy testing anymore due to the high number of false positives and told me "if you can tolerate something you should keep eating it". Now I am not this child's doctor, so you need the info from them, just sharing what I was told for me.

[daycarediva]

I would just say that for now, without a definite allergy testing done and notes from the pediatrician you feel it's in dcb's best interest for DCM to provide all food until they have completed the elimination diet and know for sure what dcb can/cannot have and in what amounts it will be tolerated.

We did gluten free with DS and saw no positive effects until I was told that he was getting crackers at speech. Um, DUH. We offered to provide all snacks, meals, even drinks and were able to completely eliminate gluten from his diet- it completely resolved the symptoms school had been sending him home for. Almost daily. Right after speech.

[Controlled Chaos]

I would just say that for now, without a definite allergy testing done and notes from the pediatrician you feel it's in dcb's best interest for DCM to provide all food until they have completed the elimination diet and know for sure what dcb can/cannot have and in what amounts it will be tolerated.

We did gluten free with DS and saw no positive effects until I was told that he was getting crackers at speech. Um, DUH. We offered to provide all snacks, meals, even drinks and were able to completely eliminate gluten from his diet- it completely resolved the symptoms school had been sending him home for. Almost daily. Right after speech.

[Unregistered]

Thank you all for your advice. I have drafted the following letter to DCM,.

[AmyKidsCo]

I would slip in something about keeping him safe. That's always an easy sell to parents.

Like, "For the child's safety, whenever a child is diagnosed with allergies..."

[Thriftylady]

I would slip in something about keeping him safe. That's always an easy sell to parents.

Like, "For the child's safety, whenever a child is diagnosed with allergies..."

I like that idea, but think the rest of it is great!

[Unregistered]

Great. Thank you for letting me know I wasn't going over board with asking mom to provide DCB's foods.

Given that his allergies are mild and pedi said it was fine to eat them in moderation, I don't think there is a safety issue if he eats something. I do understand mom wanting to eliminate foods to see if it helps DCB's behavior. I am trying to find a happy medium between me accommodating DCM's request to keep DCB away from these foods and me not complicating the issue by asking DCM to bring alternative foods for everything he can't have. I think it would be easier (and yield better results for mom) if she just provides everything.

[Thriftylady]

Great. Thank you for letting me know I wasn't going over board with asking mom to provide DCB's foods.

Given that his allergies are mild and pedi said it was fine to eat them in moderation, I don't think there is a safety issue if he eats something. I do understand mom wanting to eliminate foods to see if it helps DCB's behavior. I am trying to find a happy medium between me accommodating DCM's request to keep DCB away from these foods and me not complicating the issue by asking DCM to bring alternative foods for everything he can't have. I think it would be easier (and yield better results for mom) if she just provides everything.

Exactly and you don't want her requests of you to get more and more "special" and make more work and heartache for you.

[nannyde]

I would add to your list

What testing was done (the exact name of the test) and require a copy of the test results.

[Unregistered]

Just wanted to update:

I sent the email to mom and she agreed that it would be easier to pack DCB's meals and bring them each day. I wasn't expecting trouble from mom on that, but wanted to make sure I had all my bases covered when dealing with allergies. As of right now I am confident my bases are covered and I think DCM is happy that she can have control over what DCB eats so as to see if any of his allergens are contributing to behavior troubles.

Thank you to all who read the drafted email and gave advice on it I asked BC to delete the email just to be on the safe side since threads from the main forum pop up in google searches.

[Thriftylady]

Just wanted to update:

I sent the email to mom and she agreed that it would be easier to pack DCB's meals and bring them each day. I wasn't expecting trouble from mom on that, but wanted to make sure I had all my bases covered when dealing with allergies. As of right now I am confident my bases are covered and I think DCM is happy that she can have control over what DCB eats so as to see if any of his allergens are contributing to behavior troubles.

Thank you to all who read the drafted email and gave advice on it I asked BC to delete the email just to be on the safe side since threads from the main forum pop up in google searches.

I think you did the right thing and I am glad mom was willing. When you find out more details, you can revisit it after the elimination phase if you choose and decide to have mom keep sending foods, or serve your own. I know when DD was little we found that dyes made her violent. It took us several years to figure it out. I used to get so mad because she would go to her dad's to visit, and he would feed her all kinds of crap with tons of dyes like candy, fruit snacks, koolaid, etc. And those sources of dyes were so easy to avoid!