Megan Lavin’s oldest with multiple food allergies is starting high school. It’s an exciting transition and, when it comes to the allergies, she’s frankly finding it a breeze compared to past school years.
Particularly in the early grades, Megan used to stress over getting her son’s federal 504 accommodations plan right – to ensure he was safely included. But now that he’s older and she’s so experienced at negotiating a 504, it’s so much easier.
And that’s her hopeful, helpful message in this episode of Allergic Living’s Megan’s Minute video series. If you’re sending a child with food allergies off to kindergarten, it may seem overwhelming right now. But do keep at the heavy-lifting – the educating of the school staff on severe allergies as well as your child – and you can reap the parenting benefits by high school.
Megan finds the biggest difference is her teen’s growing independence, which includes his food allergies. He knows the allergy questions to ask and when a food’s not safe. Her son also not only carries his epinephrine, but has experience self-administering it. He can also articulate if he needs help.
Megan gets the stress of the early grades. If you’re staring at your first 504 plan, you may be wondering: “how am I ever going to let this child out of my sight?”
“I remember that feeling,” she says. But then adds: “Your child is going to learn. You’re going to practice, have conversations, make mistakes and celebrate successes.”
High School 504 and the Big Goal
Megan is mindful that not every high schooler is the same. “Some kids need much more support,” she notes. “I’m just sharing where we are,” she says.
And she hopes followers will find where her family has arrived at encouraging. After years of training and watching his mom work with the school on allergies, her son is taking on more. Today, he’s relishing greater independence and responsibility.
Megan sums up the bigger picture: “The goal was never for me to manage my son’s allergy forever. The goal was to teach him how to manage it himself.”
Please watch and share her hopeful video.
Join Allergic Living monthly for a new installment of Megan’s Minute with Megan Lavin, the creator of the Allergy Awesomeness blog. Follow her on Instagram and Facebook.
More Megan’s Minute Videos:
Food Allergy Mom’s Advice On: Creating a School 504 Plan
How to Manage Field Trips with Food Allergies
My Food Allergy Tween Masters School Lunch
Allergy Mom’s Dining Out Boot Camp to Prep Allergic Son
Parent-free with Food Allergies on Soccer Trip
Allergy Mom Solves ‘No Backpacks’ Rule and Carrying Epi
My Top 5 Food Allergy-Friendly Snacks for Kids
My Son Starts on Xolair for Food Allergies
