I'm not sure how to make this teacher realise that my son really is allergic.

[twentypence]

First school visit - rubs his writing out with a latex rubber right in front of him and leaves all the little rubbery bits on his desk.

Second school visit is doing some prep when we arrive involving latex containing glue

First day of school sends him home with a rubber band around his homework.

At this point would going to the head be unreasonable?

[needmorecoffee]

I'd go and give them a leaflet and remind them its their duty to keep your child safe. Tell them you'd hate to have to sue.

[princessosyth]

Go to the head now and ask for a meeting with the head and the class teacher.

[Psychomum5]

eek....that sounds bad! how does his allergy present when faced with latex???

[twentypence]

Can't sue in NZ. I'm peed off that there is no handover between kindy and school, because in over a year of kindy they never did one thing that was really bad. This new teacher is 3 for 3

[twentypence]

Yes, but how many meeting should I have to have with the teacher? I've already done 3 and she still hasn't got it.

[hifi]

has he had a bad reaction to all the incidents mentioned?

[Belgianchocolates]

Califrau seems to have come up with a v. good solution. I think it's very likely the teacher didn't realise glue contained latex (I know I wouldn't). S/He's probably been using general school stock and not used to latex allergies and things to avoid with such children.
How did you find out. It's unusual for children to have latex allergies as far as I know.

[littlegreyrabbit]

Yes, I must admit I wouldn't have known about those items either. Sounds like the teacher just needs a bit of education about what objects to avoid.

FWIW I wouldn't go to the head but direct to the teacher. Going to the head smacks of complaints and disciplinary action and can be very damaging to your relationship with the teacher herself. You need this teacher on your side, not feeling undermined by you by telling tales about her. Make her the school expert and ask for her help to spread the word to any others who need to know (classroom assistants, meals supervisors etc)

PS what does happen when ds is in contact with latex? Does he need adrenaline shots? Surely that will scare the pants of her.

[Kaz1967]

I totally sympathise I have a latex allergy I itch,wheeze and do a very good beetroot impression but to date have not needed my epi pen.

How about going through the head or head of year? Is there a nurse attached to the school? Our school nurses create a care plan with the parents and then go through the child's needs with the school (teachers, dinner ladies.....)

Has he to a specialist nurse or consultant which you could get to write instructions about what precaution need to be taken? If there is the possibility he needs adrenaline then they need to be taught how to use the pen too the kick back is a bit of a surprise the first time you use one

[twentypence]

I have told the teacher 3 times that rubber bands contain rubber, that erasers (she is old enough to have called them rubbers when she was at school) can contain rubber and that PVA contains latex unless it specifically says it doesn't (eg Crayola I think)

But however good a list I give her I need her to be thinking " I wonder what this ball is made of that I was going to use for fitness?"

Without that I would have to check the whole school everyday, including the PE cupboard and the office.

Quite a lot of the avoidance is to try and let him grow out of his allergy rather than prevent a reaction tomorrow. He won't neccessarily react each time and it may only be dramatic and scary one time in 100.

A lot of the early signs of a reaction are things which could affect a 5 year old who has just started school anyway. Such as lethargy, irritability, unable to concentrate, talking complete bollocks, rubbing eyes. I don't think a new entrant teacher would jump to the conclusion that he was having a reaction to the rubber band which she put around his reading book - she would just think it was the end of a long day for him. So because she wouldn't spot it, she needs to be a lot more careful to avoid it in the first place.

[twentypence]

When I took him in I told her about the rubber band and she just looked at me like "so?" So I calmly repeated that he was allergic to rubber and that she needed to just put things in his book bag loose and I would make sure they were looked after.

Her calmness is actually starting to irritate me because I suspect it is actually just vagueness.

I have written "ds needs much harder reading books as he could read this one over a year ago" in his reading folder - largely to see if she is in fact alive and will react.

[Feenie]

That'll help then

[fizzbuzz]

Teachers do have a resposibility of care, however I think it is a lot of second guessing for the teacher, and it is not just her reponsibility, it is a school issue.

I believe it is entirely possible to come into contact with latex, unless you are thinking about it all the time. As a teacher she may not even think of things he may be allergic to, but it is a very difficult task for one teacher.

Sounds like he needs class support from a specialist in this area, who can guide the teacher. AS a teacher, I would find this responsibility very daunting, because I could not ever suspect all the items he could be allergic to, and I would be seeking union advice.

Sorry, not trying to be difficult, but I do think it is a very difficult thing for a classroom teacher to deal with

[bossybritches]

I'm a bit puzzled- true allergies needing an epi-pen are one thing but what you describe is like a contact reaction. What has the doctor advised?

I think maybe you should ask for a meeting with the school nurse & the form teacher if you are really concerned & he is that sensitive.Then you can have an action plan documented.

In the Uk under Health & Safety recommendations all schools & nurseries etc should be latex free anyway because of this.

Maybe as others have said you could suggest it for the whole class?

KerryMum has lots of experience with this sort of thing- she'll probably be along in a mo!

[twentypence]

No it's more than a contact reaction - although with wet latex such as in glue all his top layer of skin comes away which is quite dramatic.

But sometimes he will get low blood pressure, his entire body will go red (including the whites of his eyes) and he will lie on the floor with a racing heart talking complete crap. And then we spend a day at the hospital.

But not every time, which does create a false sense of security.

[twentypence]

He's skipped 8 reading levels so she is alive from the waist up. She just doesn't understand allergies.

See there was method in my madness.

[dippydeedoo]

I dont think it can be placed entirely on the teachers shoulders and if your son has the possibility of any such extreme reaction then he needs special needs care on health grounds,i think you are being unreasonable towards this teacher there is a group of children she is responsible for the education of, and you are asking for a LOT more time for your son,i think this situation needs to be addressed by senior staff.
I also think your attitude and behavior towards this teacher could build resentment- your son has many years left in school and you dont want to be tagged as difficult.

[twentypence]

What attitude and behaviour? I know a parent who wrote a three page letter to the Governors (diff school) because her son's piano lesson changed day.

Also what extra work/time? Not putting a rubber band around stuff is less work. Asking the school secretary to buy a plastic eraser isn't going to massively cut into her non contact time is it?

He is also very allergic to another couple of things and less so to around 6 others. i haven't asked for help with any of those - I am relying on him (a 5 year old) to be sensible and only eat from his own lunchbox - to move if he finds himself next to someone with peanut butter or a banana.

[edam]

I think you really do have to go above her head, given she is just not getting it. AND provide written information from sources such as Allergy UK/a doctor's letter. In case she thinks you are exaggerating.

[dippydeedoo]

I suspected you would take offence at what id suggested it was this sort of statement that I as a nursery nurse(in a variety of settings classroom included) could see a teacher taking offence at

I have written "ds needs much harder reading books as he could read this one over a year ago"

she has to judge his reading standards by her own standards fortunately she agreed and to move up 8 levels is v good.

with regards to the allergy this goes outside of her teaching skills and job description clearly your son needs full protection from rubber and this needs specialist advice she has 30 or so children to educate you cannot have your son top priority at all times - i know this is difficult my youngest son suffers a dairy and wheat allergy and i know to an extent what you are up against,but you cannot expect ordinary everyday school to revolve around 1 child and i do believe you need to go higher in school to ensure your sons well being.

[jamsambam]

"Such as lethargy, irritability, unable to concentrate, talking complete bollocks, rubbing eyes"

im allergic to latex and these are the same symptoms i get early on, then i get a bad migrane and go to bed, sometimes i have failed to wake and have ended up in ICU.

These are serious symptoms and its a genuine medical condition, i hate to say it but the school would help more if they saw the consequences of it. Mine did when some kid put glue on the back of my hand and i nearly lost the use of it....

[williamsmummy]

there is a national latex support group, these people do have a school leaflet to support school staff.

BTW

its also important that you point out that stickers used to praise children, do have latex glue.

A school policy with emergancy procedures should be in place.
As well as photos of your child in office and perhaps in school register. ( if they allow this) To support sub teachers care for your child.

I am sorry I couldnt find the web site or phone number for the latex group, am searching through the heaps of allergy stuff I have for it!

[tatt]

there may be 30 children in the class but that aren't all going to be seriously ill if she doesn't give them a bit of attention. This child has special needs and has to have some extra consideration.

I would ask the head teacher to arrange a meeting with the school nurse present as well. Then you can talk through the issues and what the school needs to do to keep your child from harm.

I think there are allergy groups in NZ - if you're a member they may have more helpful advice.