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?

There should be measures in place to support him the same way there would for any child with special needs.

My nephew was born without an anus and, although they have crafted him one he has no control over it because he doesn't have a sphynicter muscle. He is at mainstream school and teacher has to give him extra care. She doesn't have to change 30 nappies or comfort 30 children who are too aware they can't stop themselves from pooing their nappies. She has one. While the other children are taking themself she takes him.

There was a class in my primary school with a child who had hearing problems and couldn't cope with loud noises. The class were taught to be sympathetic to her and not to shout or make lots of noise. How wonderful a primary class is that can do that.

It's no extra work to make sure he's not doing obvious things like using a rubber rubber or glue, that he has his own fabric pencil case somewhere that no one else can use. She doesn't just have a duty to teach the children, she has a duty of care, locoparentis. If a parent were to be so careless with their child's health they would be in serious trouble, I don't see why you shouldn't be taking this seriously and talking to the head. It can be done sensitively so as not to antagonise the teacher.

What about giving her a copy of the letter you got from the hospital when he was diagnosed? She won't ignore something signed by a consultant!

I agree with whoever said this is a serious special needs issue. Your son needs support from someone with knowledge of this.

It is unthinkable that he is allowed to come into contact with this stuff, BUT as I said this is a whole school issue and is not really the job of the classroom teacher who has lots of other youngsters to cope with.

He should be provided with full support from someone who is aware of his needs, BUT it should be common practice across the school not to use these things.

If he is repeatedly exposed to this stuff and is not being helped, then I think you have an issue against the school, and the LEA (do they exist in NZ?)

Do you really think that the school shouldn't use rubber bands or latex glue because one child is allergic? I'm not saying you're wrong, just a bit surprised, that's all.

Do you really think that the school shouldn't use rubber bands or latex glue because one child is allergic? I'm not saying you're wrong, just a bit surprised, that's all.

Twnetypence - is he so allergic that having a rubber band round his homework going to cause him problems? Had you thought about my idea of giving the teacher a copy of your consultant's letter giving you the diagnosis?

Sorry - twitchy posting finger!

Because I don't know how things work in NZ and I have already mentioned talking to the School head or head of year getting a letter of explanation from your son's consultant

Try this site www.allergy.org.nz//?id=RyC7kR4g they may able to offer you advice and support the school and teacher in the about allergies part they have a section on Latex maybe you could print it off for her?

seeker, a rubber band may not do harm now but rubber allergy is serious. Every exposure to rubber increases the body's response to rubber and eventually rubber allergy can be incredibly serious.

I work voluntary on the ambulances and we dropped rubber gloves a long time ago as you can suddenly become seriously allergic. People with higher than normal exposure (such as the medical profession) can develop sudden and severe allergies to it.

If my child had a rubber allergy I would be doing everything in my power to minimise the risk. It should be taken as serious, if not more so, than nuts.

Better this week - she asked about plasticine and glue sticks. She also told me that ds had been kicking and pushing

Well that's positive I would not worry too much about son pushing and kicking he is only 5 and needs to learn it's not ok it's really common behaviour for kids that age at school especially boys.

Glad to hear things are moving forwards. Just to re-iterate what others have said, I'm sure his teacher was not being intentionally negligent. This post seems to have started after 3 days in school and I'm sure you hadn't got your head entirely around this allergy in 3 days?! Alot of my friends are primary teachers and can have enormous problems with negative parents, a positive attitude when speaking to them goes a long way and I'm sure you will be able to work together to prevent any further problems. A few sarcastic comments in the heat of the moment could give you a reputation for the rest of your childs time at this school. Remember teachers teach because they have a passion for it.