ds starts school in september with epipen...what do I need to do

[brimfull]

regarding meetings with school etc.I know it is a nut free school but someone suggested that he would be carrying his pen around in a bag,I think he;s way to young for that.He'd be getting it out to demonstrate fgs!
Can you please share your experiences of starting school with epipen.
Thanks

[MaureenMLove]

I haven't got expirence with an epipen, but I would assume that like children with asthma pumps, they would be stored with the teachers. You ought to check that someone is trained on the epipen, as again I would assume that a first aider would need to be in attendance if, god forbid, he has to use it.

[CaptainUnderpants]

Our school has them in the school office. Each childs is kept in a plastic box with childs photo on it . All the staff are trained in epipen usage . The school has quite a few .
I doubt that your child will be the only one at school with an epipen.

I think there is only one child who carries it around with them, whether its because their reactions are so severe I dont know but that child is YR2.

[carol3]

dd's always had one at school, loads of children do now, they keep hers in a box in the teachers desk and the teachers are trained by a nurse how to use it.
I did write guildlines for my daughter when she started eg signs to look for ect. Also provided a stash of safe treats to be kept by the teacher for when the other children get something at christmas or birthdays say. hope that helps

[mamazon]

you leave the pen in teh school office, they will all be shown how to use it and in my ds's school they have his picture on the wall saying that he is allergic and need the pen, where it is kept and instructions to its use.

[brimfull]

Thanks,good idea about the treats.Did the school approach you to explain how it works ,or do I just turn up on first day with epipen.

[brimfull]

I know the school already has children with nut allergy so most training has been done I presume.

[Millarkie]

We worried like mad before ds started his school, turned up on first day with 2 plastic boxes, each with asthma inhaler, spacer and epipen in... went to medical room and found a cheerful school nurse with a cupboard full of similar boxes, all identified by a photo of the child stuck onto the box and a noticeboard with a form displayed for each child with photo and details of allergy and treatment.

[carol3]

ggirl I would call and go through it with them before he starts, as then they all know what to expect also, ensure diiner ladies know the situation and can keep a closer eye on him at lunchtime, pack lunches are more risky sometimes as there is'nt as much supervision and they tend to share

[brimfull]

thanks millarkie,will get some photos taken of him then

[brimfull]

carol-yes was hoping he could have school dinners,but he is so fussy,am hoping peer pressure will help.

[CaptainUnderpants]

Dont worry about the photos - the school should do it . Easier to have the child in a photo in school uniform aswell.

[Millarkie]

We have 1 set in school nurses office and another in the classroom - school rules because the nurses office is nearer the dining hall than the classrooms. Also, during break times the classroom doors are locked but the nurses office is open (very important to us since ds's most common problem is an asthma attack during break).

[roisin]

I would produce an A4 poster with your ds's photo, name, and brief details/guidelines. Print 3 copies and laminate them, and give them to the school to display as they see fit. (Maybe one in the classroom, one in the staffroom, and one in the room most used by TAs, visitors, and students.)

Many schools will produce and display this material anyway themselves, but not all do.

Most primary schools have lots of visitors, supply, students, parent-helpers and all sorts popping in. They will not be aware of your ds's allergies otherwise.

[brimfull]

thanks for all your helpful,ds has a medicalert bracelet.I will call the school next week and arrange to go in and see them about this.
This has all suddenly come to attention as ds was on a visit to big school with his nursery last week.(had a fab time)
I am so used to his nursery school being used to his allergy

[hellish]

My DD has her Epipen with her at all times and carries it in a little bag on a strap around her waist. You can buy funky ones on the internet (i can give you address if you are interested). Her school insisted that she have it with her at all times AND that we keep a second one in the school office.

By the way she is 4 and hasn't had any problem with carrying it. I think a few kids asked to see what was inside at first but noone bothered after that.

I thought it a bit over the top at the time but the more I read about it the more I realise that having the Epipen where you need it, when you need it, is so vital.

[tatt]

our primary school wanted the epipen with them at all times until I convinced them that wasn't necessary. We had one in the classroom and one in the office. My child was supposed to be responsible for ensuring that they took it when they went offsite. The ofice one was in a first aid box, the one in the class in a bumbag for wearing if going offsite.

Contact them before your child starts and ask when they last had refresher training to make sure they are up to date.

There was supposed to be a "red card" system whereby any child could take the card to the office and they'd know an epipen was needed and to phone for an ambulance. Nice idea - it was never put in place.

Some schools put a photo on the register to help with supply teachers.

We also did the treat box but its a good idea to train your child never to eat sweets at school. If mine brought home something unsuitable it was always swapped for something larger and nicer - they were always happy to bring things home It did annoy me that teachers were usually so heartless that they couldn't find a suitable treat for all the children, but if you find one who does treasure them.

[tatt]

worst problem at our school was the teachers. I didn't mind if the person handing out treats didn't know but those who did and couldn't be bothered made me cross.

[sibble]

ds1 was the first (somehow) at his school to have an epipen (it is a small school) so I did most of the things already mentioned...

hired dvd and eduational material from Alergy NZ
they arranged for the school liaison nurse to come in and teach/educate them
took his photo to keep with the epipen
gave teacher treats (although they don't encourage sweets at his school so as a rule it's OK, the kids get to choose from a treasure chest for treats with small cars, notebooks, rubbers, pencils etc...great idea)
I also went into each classroom and without mentioning DS talked about allergies. This went down really well, I did different activities with different age groups e.g. teddy bears picnic with the younger ones they bought their favourite food and we looked at what the teddy could and couldn't eat and a similar virtual trip to the supermarket with the older one
A really good post on craft materials earlier DS's school was using pistachio shells as craft material and thought it would be OK...we had to thoroughly clean the room

hth at the end of the day I spent many sleepless nights on the run up to him starting school but 3 years later it's all been fine

[tatt]

we did the treat box because the teachers often handed out sweets . Sometimes they'd forget and hand over something unsafe and one teacher actually said she couldn't be bothered to get anything

It can also be helpful to tell people what is OK. For example the caterers went spare over coconut and vegetable oil, neither of these have ever been a problem for us. Conkers worried the school until I said they weren't an issue for us.

And if you are ever at the school check there is soap in the toilets......

[brimfull]

thank you for all your helpful thoughts and ideas.
I will know what to ask now.