Celiacs Disease

[melilley]

They make several types of flours that are gluten free! I bet you could even google "homemade gluten free dough" and find a bunch of recipes!

I actually do use Play-Doh because I don't touch it. I was gifted some in October and was gifted some by another parent in March, so free is free!
I have the children clean up afterwards (they know how to make a big ball to pick up play-doh crumbs) and then I put on gloves and scrub down the tables. Their tables are already contaminated with gluten since the food program just adores grains and the only ones I'm not allergic to that I serve the kids are corn tortillas, taco shells, and rice. I wear gloves a lot!

I said it in another thread once, but I, personally, wouldn't take on a child with Celiacs. How's that for a double standard? ::
The lengths I go through to prepare my own meals and prevent any cross contamination are crazy and I have to make my meals when the children aren't awake. I wouldn't feel comfortable taking on a child with the same issues as me. I make and eat breakfast before they arrive. I make my lunch on my gluten free counter and eat lunch during their naptime when ALL of their lunch stuff if put away and everything is scrubbed down so that I don't accidentally ingest any gluten. I also make and prepare dinner after they are completely gone (unless I put my items in the crockpot and then they are safe as they have a lid on them).

Wow, it is really interesting hearing what you can and can't do and what you have to do to manage Celiacs. Before I began caring for a child with a gluten/dairy free allergy, (his just an intolerance, but I still researched it and came across Celiacs and from seeing it on here) I had no idea that this was a disease. No one that I know of has it. I didn't know what it took to manage it so that you don't get sick.

[Kelly]

Wouldn't be a problem for me because my family already eats gluten-free---completely grain-free in fact.

[preschoolteacher]

There are so many gluten free options now that's very easy to avoid gluten. There are tons of gluten-free flours, gluten-free bread, really... everything.

If the kids are intolerant to gluten and not severely allergic, I wouldn't think twice about taking them. You just wouldn't feed them any wheat, oat, or barley products. Also be aware that gluten is found in many processed foods. If the parents provide all food it should be no big deal.

If they are severely allergic and just a crumb of any of the above ingredients causes them problems, I would think really hard before agreeing to do it.

[canadiancare]

Celiac isn't an allergy. It is a disease where the villi of the small intestine (kind of like plant roots) are damaged by gluten and can't absorb nutrients properly. Continued abuse/exposure can lead to bowel cancer.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

Celiac isn't an allergy. It is a disease where the villi of the small intestine (kind of like plant roots) are damaged by gluten and can't absorb nutrients properly. Continued abuse/exposure can lead to bowel cancer.

I call it an allergy because most people can identify with that when I say I can't have X, Y, Z nor can I have anything that might be cross contaminated.

[canadiancare]

I call it an allergy because most people can identify with that when I say I can't have X, Y, Z nor can I have anything that might be cross contaminated.

Understood. I just am someone who prefers to use proper vocabulary to be as accurate as possible esp. with health facts.

I wouldn't want someone to think it is as easy as popping an antihistamine or an Imodium after a plate of pasta.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

Understood. I just am someone who prefers to use proper vocabulary to be as accurate as possible esp. with health facts.

I wouldn't want someone to think it is as easy as popping an antihistamine or an Imodium after a plate of pasta.

I never considered that!
I tend to discuss cross contamination in great detail to people in real life and use the words "severe allergy" hoping to convey how serious it really is. But, perhaps I shouldn't.

[canadiancare]

I never considered that!
I tend to discuss cross contamination in great detail to people in real life and use the words "severe allergy" hoping to convey how serious it really is. But, perhaps I shouldn't.

It is your disease you can own it how you want. I just know that there are people who always downplay the seriousness of certain health conditions and yours is one that can't be messed with.

There is supposed to be a vaccine that is pretty close to being ready for human testing. Fingers crossed for you.

[Blackcat31]

It is your disease you can own it how you want. I just know that there are people who always downplay the seriousness of certain health conditions and yours is one that can't be messed with.

There is supposed to be a vaccine that is pretty close to being ready for human testing. Fingers crossed for you.

Like people who say my DH has an illness

He's type 1 diabetic. It isn't an illness because it isn't going to go away.

[Evansmom]

I have two peanut anaphylactic kids in my care one is my son and the other is also allergic to shrimp, gluten and corn. All meals are packed from home so we have no problems. The kids know we don't share food and for holidays and crafts we do non-food activities. I follow basic cleaning guidelines like wiping down the table and having kids wash hands after each meal. It works great for us! I've been watching the DCB with multiple food allergies for a year now with no problems. We have epi-pens on hand in case of emergency and I take them with us when we go anywhere. If you are not preparing their food or snacks I don't see any problem.

One of the main things to ask allergy families is what their level of comfort about foods and cross contamination is. I do not allow my son to eat any packaged foods because of the risk of cross contamination. But DCB's mom allows him to eat anything as long as his allergens are not a primary ingredient. We have differing comfort levels. But like I said, if the parents provide all food and snacks the only thing you will likely need to provide is a clean place to eat and supervision so the kids don't share foods.

As for play-doh, a quick Pinterest or google search will come up with tons of fun goops and flubbers that don't require flour.

[canadiancare]

Like people who say my DH has an illness

He's type 1 diabetic. It isn't an illness because it isn't going to go away.

Exactly. It isn't as easy as going off the rails with your eating and then taking a shot of insulin.

[Blackcat31]

Well...the kids have Celiacs to the point of SEVERE and cross contamination is something the parent's are basically terrified of.

Mom has a severe peanut allergy so badly that she asked the I not serve anything peanut related so the kids don't carry home minute traces of anything.

The 2.5 year old is still takes a bottle and must be rocked to sleep.

Mom is insisting that the 4 year old needs a minimum of 3 hours of "intensive" academic time (mom's words).

Although the parents would be supplying all the foods, they did ask that I modify what I feed the children due to cross contamination (both for the Celiacs and mom's peanut allergy) concerns.

I am pretty sure that I am not a good fit for what they are looking for in a caregiver.

So, thanks for the info on Celiac's ladies...I appreciate the help! If I ever have a family that I do take on that has it, I will be much better prepared.

[Country Kids]

Well...the kids have Celiacs to the point of SEVERE and cross contamination is something the parent's are basically terrified of.

Mom has a severe peanut allergy so badly that she asked the I not serve anything peanut related so the kids don't carry home minute traces of anything.

The 2.5 year old is still takes a bottle and must be rocked to sleep.

Mom is insisting that the 4 year old needs a minimum of 3 hours of "intensive" academic time (mom's words).

Although the parents would be supplying all the foods, they did ask that I modify what I feed the children due to cross contamination (both for the Celiacs and mom's peanut allergy) concerns.

I am pretty sure that I am not a good fit for what they are looking for in a caregiver.

So, thanks for the info on Celiac's ladies...I appreciate the help! If I ever have a family that I do take on that has it, I will be much better prepared.

In the end it came down to a little more then "a tummy issue" it sounds like.

I'm glad everyone was able to help you with information!

Is this the same mom that was asking "Why your hubby would come to the childcare"?

[canadiancare]

I'd say the best fit for this family would be a private in home caregiver.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

I'd say the best fit for this family would be a private in home caregiver.

That would be a great solution for them.