Celiac Disease Program and Support Group

Teaching yourself and your child about the diet may not be the hardest thing you have to do: Getting relatives and friends to understand the seriousness of the gluten-free diet may be harder than you think.

You must present these people with information in writing.

For example, have them:

• visit this website (www.childrenshospital.org/celiacinfo)
• visit www.celiac.com
• review the statistics that show the increased risk celiacs have of developing diseases such as diabetes and cancer
• or read from Danna Korn's new book Kids with Celiac Disease.

Perhaps they feel you are overreacting or exaggerating because they relate gluten intolerance to a food allergy. Although the reaction is not anaphylactic it is gravely serious. No relative would question the need of a child with diabetes to take insulin injections to keep well. Yet with celiac disease, the need to keep a gluten free diet doesn't seem as vital to the child's health. But it is! Unfortunately a little bit of gluten can hurt a lot.

There are several other common reactions adults will give you when you try to describe that the treatment for your child is a gluten free diet and what that means:

• The Tell Me in One Sentence or Less approach: This person gives a dismissive nod and says, "oh yes I understand, no wheat, but this donut should be okay."

• The Panic Stricken reaction: This person is completely freaked out at the thought of feeding your child anything ever again. Perhaps they also don't really want to understand. If your child spends much time with a friend or relative with this attitude please send a gluten-free snack over with them. Tell them plain potato chips are good to have around and fresh fruit is always safe.

• The Adult Who Actually Gets It: They will listen to your definition and ask thoughtful questions. This adult usually has some sense of food in terms of the ingredients that make up different things. Often parents of your child's friends who get the diet will call you with a food item they think meets the criteria to be gluten free and will want to confirm this with you. Bravo.

Do not have your child stay with anyone that belittles the importance of your child staying on a strict gluten free diet. Showing them the statistics that reveal the increased risk of celiacs developing disease such as diabetes and cancer, to name just a few, can help. When celiac children consume gluten they compromise their chances at full growth and healthy development physically and intellectually.

Anytime I ask an adult to have my child in their care, however brief, I will either send a snack with my child or go over some safe snack/food choices in private before my child arrives. A statement of the short- and long-term ramifications of not being faithful to the diet is a must.