My son's afraid of the cafeteria - Help!

[sillymomkt]

Any ideas on this? I appreciate any feedback that might be helpful.

My child is severely afraid of getting wheat (gluten) contamination from just eating at the same table as his classmates. A kindergartener, he takes ALL his food & drink from home. A while back, he tried to sit at an empty table at lunch (even though he's otherwise very much an extrovert). After bringing him back to the class table, the teaching assistant has watched closely regarding his expressed concern. She hasn't seen anyone touching his food, flinging crumbs, waving their hands around in the air over his lunch. We've tried having him put down a big napkin like a tablecloth, in case of prior groups leaving crumbs - but he's afraid to pick it up after lunch. For weeks now, he often comes home saying his stomach hurts (after some previous months of feeling pretty good) and is adamant that "It's WHEAT, mom!!!" (Picture a red, tear-stained face under knitted eyebrows. ) We don't think he has other major concerns at school that would be causing stress-induced pain, but haven't ruled that out completely.

He's convinced he needs to be homeschooled or come home to eat lunch. Neither is a viable option for us right now, and I don't think he really wants to stay home, anyway, except for the food fear.

Can anyone relate, either as a parent or as a child who's been there?

Thanks - Kelley Tucker

[Nikster57]

What about letting him eat at his desk? Maybe the councelors office. If I was a kid, I would be scared too. He knows how bad it hurts and he doesn't want that feeling. Poor little guy. Good luck.
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Nikki from Texas

[P.O.D.]

Hello!

I am an employee at a school district in Colorado and I have a daughter with GC. My wife and I are very concered about similar thing.... Whenever possible, I have a lunch with my daughter at her school. But, when I can't make it for some reason, I would ask her teacher or a school nurse to eat with her.

I have found effective if teachers/nurses/school counselors informed about GC. My wife bought a children's book about GC, and read it in the class. That worked wonderful last year, so we are planning to do the same this year.

Good Luck!

[Guest]

[dkad]

The note to Kelly is from me. Told you (not Kelly)I would be paranoid. It will take a while to get use to logging in when I never logged out before.
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Donna
When Satan is knocking at your door, simply say, "Jesus, could you please get that for me?"
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