Special diets aren\u2019t restricted to students on a 504 plan or Individual Education Plan (IEP). That said, if your child is on one of those plans, this is a good time to raise the school lunch issue, as many schools are scheduling their annual meetings with parents for student\u2019s 504 or IEP. That meeting is a perfect time to raise the issue of school lunches with the teacher, school nurse, and maybe a counselor or principal who attends.<\/p>\n
Whether or not you have a 504 or IEP meeting, here are three steps<\/strong> parents should take to make sure their children receive school lunches next fall.<\/p>\n In order to make food substitutions for children with epilepsy, the school MUST HAVE ON FILE a written statement signed by a licensed clinician (physician, nurse practitioner, registered dietitian) indicating what the child\u2019s disability is, what foods must be omitted from the child\u2019s diet, and what foods must be substituted.<\/p>\n This requirement has two purposes: to ensure that the lunch will not be compromised by poor substitutions, and that any substitution will be planned by someone who is highly qualified to make the decision. This requirement protects both the child and the food service personnel who are working to meet your child\u2019s needs.<\/p>\n In August, doctors\u2019 offices are flooded with forms to sign, and there can be a lengthy delay while you wait for your turn. Get the forms done before the back-to-school rush.<\/p>\n During the meeting, find out what the manager and dietitian in order to provide ketogenic school lunches for your child.\u00a0 Ask for a tour of the kitchen so that you know what equipment they have available to create a ketogenic lunch.<\/p>\n We find that parents who take the time to get to know the food service director and staff at their local schools have the best experiences. You could even introduce them to your child so they can attach a human face to the extra work they will need to do.<\/p>\n Plus, an in-person meeting with the staff will force healthy conversations about epilepsy and your child\u2019s special diet, and decrease the odds of misinterpreting diet orders. Remember, this team is feeding an entire school so it\u2019s important to make sure they are absolutely clear on your child\u2019s specific needs.<\/p>\n Encourage them to contact you anytime with questions or ideas. Leave them a cell phone number, or a business card, or a sheet of paper with your child\u2019s picture and their dietary restrictions<\/p>\n School staff, including the cafeteria manager, the registered dietitian, and the school counselor and\/or principal, may have questions. It\u2019s also a good idea to confirm everything is in place before the August back-to-school scramble. You can check on whether ketogenic foods<\/a> and formula<\/a> have been ordered, and whether the staff understand how they need to be handled once they\u2019re delivered. You can also offer a \u201chow to\u201d training to show the kitchen staff your child\u2019s favorite lunches.<\/p>\n USDA.gov<\/p><\/div>\n If you or your schools\u2019 staff have questions about how to provide a ketogenic diet for your child, you can contact your state\u2019s USDA school meals agency<\/a>. They\u2019re a valuable resource for families and the school when they need guidance on how they can provide the meals required by federal law.<\/p>\n The Charlie Foundation<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Matthews Friends<\/a>\u00a0sites are also great resources for helping school staff and caregivers understand the ketogenic diet. On their websites you can find everything from descriptions of the diet your child is following<\/a>, videos<\/a> explaining ketogenic therapy, and even\u00a0ketogenic diet specific information on school topics<\/a> including lunch time, giving rewards in the class room, and participating in parties.<\/p>\nStep 1<\/strong>: Get the forms that require physician signatures that can be completed over the summer.<\/h4>\n
Step 2<\/strong>:\u00a0Meet with the school\u2019s cafeteria manager and possibly the school district\u2019s registered dietitian (RD).<\/h4>\n
Step 3:\u00a0<\/strong>Get the contact information and summer schedule for key players.<\/h4>\n
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To make explaining the ketogenic diet a little easier this year,\u00a0