Supporting Students with Celiac Disease in the School Community

voteheatherhopkins
Sep 9
3 min read

Recently, the parent of a student with celiac disease contacted the school board with concerns about her child’s experience in our district. This led me to connect with a group of district parents whose children have that condition. Their stories revealed challenges many of us never see—and highlighted simple steps we can take to create a more inclusive environment for all students.

Understanding the Condition

Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition affecting approximately 1 in 100 people. When someone with celiac consumes gluten (found in wheat, barley, and rye), their immune system attacks the small intestine, causing both immediate and long-term health problems. The only treatment for celiac is to maintain a 100% gluten-free diet.

From www.osmosis.org . For an explanatory video, click on the image above.

The Reality of Gluten Exposure

One parent shared that after her son was accidentally exposed to gluten, he was sick for over two weeks with diarrhea, vomiting, a full-body rash, and brain fog. (According to Beyond Celiac, 89% of people with celiac experience brain fog after exposure to gluten, which would make learning challenging). Even after immediate symptoms subside, damage to the small intestine takes much longer to heal and can trigger additional autoimmune diseases like Type 1 diabetes. There's no immediate way to determine if food is "safe" for those with celiac—blood testing is the only way to confirm exposure.

Common Reactions to Gluten Exposure

Short Term

Stomach aches & nausea

Diarrhea

Headaches and brain fog

Exhaustion

Skin redness, itching or blistering

Mouth sores

Long Term

Delayed growth

Weight lossBone loss & anemia

Depression

Other autoimmune disorders

Infertility

Source: beyondceliac.org

The Hidden Impact on School Life

Celiac affects not just physical health, but a child's sense of belonging at school. Our culture of celebrating with food—at class parties, movie nights, community events, school dances—can leave these students feeling excluded and different.

A Daily Challenge

As one parent noted, gluten is invisible—you can't see, smell, or taste it. (Did you know that products like yogurt, toothpaste and soy sauce can contain gluten?) The mental load of constantly having to ask about ingredients, advocate for accommodations, and send separate food to class and community celebrations is heavy. "I couldn't wait for the school year to be over," one parent shared, referring to the exhaustion of managing her child's needs while working full-time and trying to participate in the school community.

49% of children with celiac disease experience anxiety, including social anxiety, physical symptoms, excessive worry, and pessimism.

beyondceliac.org

The Emotional Impact

Children with celiac sometimes opt to skip events rather than risk exposure, or bring their own food and feel singled out. Parents can feel embarrassed asking for accommodations, knowing they're adding complexity to birthday parties or volunteer-organized events managed by other busy parents who have the best intentions but don’t understand the complications of celiac.

Simple Steps for Inclusion

Small changes can make a huge difference in creating an inclusive environment:

Community Events (School, PTA, Education Foundation)

Choose naturally gluten-free options like popcorn, shaved ice, or fresh fruit
Display photos of ingredient lists for packaged snacks, catered foods, or homemade items, even if you believe them to be gluten-free
Advertise gluten-free options in event announcements
Use separate serving utensils for gluten-free items and label them clearly to avoid cross-contamination
Ask vendors if their facility is celiac-safe (gluten-free foods can be cross-contaminated if prepared in areas with gluten)
Cross-reference this gluten-free candy list

In the Classroom

Use non-food items for rewards, incentives, and celebrations
Use gluten-free materials in classroom activities (see below)
Send ingredient lists or product brands to parents before food-related activities
Have books about celiac available to students. Some options include Violet and the Crumbs: A Gluten-Free Adventure or I'm a Gluten-Sniffing Service Dog
Leave information about food allergies for substitute teachers

Building an Inclusive Community

True belonging requires awareness and intentional inclusion. When we plan events with ingredient transparency and provide genuine gluten-free options, we're not just accommodating one child's medical needs—we're demonstrating to all students that everyone deserves to feel safe and included.

The parents I spoke with expressed deep gratitude for teachers and volunteers who have made these efforts. By taking these small but meaningful steps, we can ensure that every child in our district feels they truly belong—regardless of what they can or can't eat.