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Caregiver Support for Celiac Disease
At Beyond Celiac, we understand how challenging it can be to care for a family member who must avoid gluten—especially in environments outside the home like school, work, or social settings. Balancing their safety with helping them feel included can be stressful, but you’re not alone. We’re here to help you navigate accommodations, communicate with others, and ensure your loved one feels supported and confident every day.
Scroll below to find helpful resources designed to support you in caring for a family member with celiac disease.
Know Your Rights
In certain situations, your child may be protected under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. This act applies to all institutions receiving federal financial assistance, such as public schools. Under this law, public schools must provide a free, appropriate public education and not discriminate against disabled students. The law accommodates special diets, including the gluten-free diet for children with celiac disease.
This law acknowledges that the disability may not require special education services, but a plan is needed to ensure the student receives an appropriate accommodations in the classroom. You can work with your child’s school to develop a 504 plan (the name stems from Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973). A 504 plan is meant to “remove barriers” to learning by providing a specific outline on how to make accommodations or modifications on a student-by-student basis.
Packing a Gluten-Free Lunch
Many parents choose to pack a lunch for their child instead of having them navigate the school cafeteria. This can help alleviate many concerns surrounding ingredients and preparation practices of the cafeteria, but many parents say they get stuck in a rut when packing lunches, gluten-free or not. Use the following tips to keep your child’s lunch both gluten-free and delicious!
- Spend two weeks experimenting with new products and recipes. Have three envelopes in the kitchen labeled “like it,” “love it,” and “didn’t like it.” Each day, your child can put the name of the meal or the recipe in one of the envelopes.
- Get creative with spreads, dips, jams, etc. Celery paired with peanut butter is a different experience than celery paired with pepper hummus.
- If you have a picky eater or a child who needs to gain weight after their diagnosis, nutritional shakes, power bars and calorie powders can pack a punch. Make sure they are labeled gluten-free, and consider consulting a registered dietitian to help with your meal plan.
- When you find a winning combo, send enough with your child to share. That will show your child’s peers that gluten-free food is not “weird” and your child will have the opportunity to feel part of the group.
- Get more food ideas from the recipe section of our website.
Additional Resources
- Tips for a Gluten-Free Preschool Day
- Anticipate the challenges and work with teachers to help your gluten-free toddler stay safe.
- How to Keep Your Child Safe In School; Creating an IHP or 504 Plan for Celiac Disease
- Does your child need a 504 plan, an IHP, or both? Read this article to decide.
- A Guide to the Gluten-Free Diet for Kids More information on the gluten-free diet for parents of a newly diagnosed child
- Free Back to School e-cookbook PDF that can be downloaded
- Think Outside the Lunchbox Infographic with recipe ideas
