Dealing with your child's allergies can be challenging, as schools, restaurants and even friends' parents can inadvertently pose risks to your kid's health. Joining a support group is often a useful way to keep yourself informed and to keep your spirits up when allergy issues become trying. If you can't find a group in your own community, look to larger groups with online resources or start a new group yourself.
Nationwide and Online Groups
At the national level, groups like the Kids With Food Allergies Foundation provide support to members with online and well as print resources. The relatively large organization has varied specialized support groups, aimed at parents of toddlers, kids, tweens and teens, as well as groups designed around particular allergy types. Food Allergy Support offers online community in the form of discussion boards. Topics range from finding allergy-friendly restaurants and travel to working with schools and teachers.
Local Groups
To find support on a more personal level, join an allergy support group in your area. Among the many groups that cater to parents of allergic children, NC FACES -- North Carolina Food Allergic Children Excelling Safely -- aims to help whole families deal with childrens' allergies. The group is based in the Raleigh-Durham area and regularly holds events, including discussion groups, talks with guest speakers and whole-family activities. Mosaic Kids is another local group, based in Colorado. In addition to local events, the group offers online resources.
General Allergy Support Organizations
If you can't find a specialized group that suits your needs, plenty of general allergy support groups offer resources useful to parents of allergic kids. The FAAN, or Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network, is ideal for parents of children with allergies to foodstuffs. The group organizes activities around the country and provides information and support resources online. The Food Allergy Initiative is a leading research institution that also provides resources online, including online courses and a directory of local support groups.
Forming Your Own Group
If you identify the need for a support group in your community, organize a new group. The Kids With Food Allergies Foundation offers advice on starting new groups. First, the foundation advises, identify an appropriate setting, such as a hospital meeting room or community center. Next, advertise your group's first meeting, targeting doctor's offices, preschools, school nurses' offices, after-school programs and similar spots to post flyers. For general meetings, invite parents only; eventually, also plan whole-family outings and activities.
References
- Kids With Food Allergies Foundation: Parents of Food Allergic Kids Support Forums
- Food Allergy Support: Home
- NC FACES: Calendar
- MOSAICKids.org: Meetings
- Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network: Home
- Food Allergy Initiative: Support Group Directory
- Kids With Food Allergies Foundation; Starting a Food Allergy Support Group; October 2005
