Celiac Disease Program

Support Group

Children's Hospital Support Group

Boston Children's Hospital's Celiac Disease Family Support Group is open to all families with a child with celiac disease. Find out about our resources and support.

Summary points

	Support groups are an extremely valuable resource for families of children with celiac disease. Contact an existing support group in your area or consider organizing one yourself.
	Members can obtain updated information about a variety of subjects from experts and other parents at meetings and from support group newsletters. Having an opportunity to network with other families about coping with lifestyle changes or finding new gluten-free foods is tremendously worthwhile. Children appreciate meeting other children with celiac disease and realizing that they are not the only one facing this challenge.
	Support group events, such as picnics and parties, provide social interaction in a relaxing environment where no one has to question whether the food is gluten-free.
	Providing a gift basket of gluten-free products to a family with a newly diagnosed child can ease the burden of adjusting to a chronic illness and complicated diet.
	Support groups can sponsor innovative activities, such as gluten-free cooking classes.