Talking Allergies

My son will be starting school Sept '10.

So far, not so good. I have already asked the bus driver (who drives my older non-allergic son) if the driver will hold on to the epipens, as in keep them on her for the duration of the school year(like in the first aid kit or something!).

She gets back to me with this information (after asking boss):

They aren't allowed to carry or administer the epipen. He must be responsible for carrying and administering it.

Problem?

He's THREE.

I live in Ontario.

Advice??????

Thank you!

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4yo ds: Finally!! Milk and Latex allergy. Preservative sensitivity. Asthma. Hay fever.
6yo ds: Hay fever, ADHD, asthma, penicillin, azithromycin, cephalosporin.

I know that in our board (in Ontario) the bus drivers receive first aid training as well as anaphylaxis training from the principal if there is an allergic child on the bus. I would pursue this matter with the school board transportation department. Your child will not be the only allergic child taking a bus in the school board. There has to be a plan or policy in place for allergic children taking the bus especially since you live in Ontario (Bill 3).

The bus driver may not be able to hold onto the epipen and I am not sure that is a good idea anyways. If the first aid kit is left on a hot or cold bus it will not be any good. Could your child keep one in his/her backpack for the trip back and forth to school or wear an ebelt?
Good luck.

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11 year old daughter -- lives with life-threatening allergies to milk, eggs and peanuts; seasonal allergies (birch, maple, ragweed); pet allergies; asthma; and eczema
9 year old son - no allergies

Thanks for responding.

That's the problem. Would love to have my 3 year old carry it, however, he wouldn't even remember the last time he went into shock. He wouldn't know when to use it and he doesn't even know I have one!!!! He's not verbal enough to even get by, he's a bit speech delayed (without any other developmental problem).

And I do NOT trust the 5 year old who HAS to sit near/beside him as he HAS to have a seatbelt (ADHD) and the smallest JKers sit at the front..

My fear is that it would be disastrous..

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4yo ds: Finally!! Milk and Latex allergy. Preservative sensitivity. Asthma. Hay fever.
6yo ds: Hay fever, ADHD, asthma, penicillin, azithromycin, cephalosporin.

Wow, no real advice, as we live close enough to the school to not require a bus, but a 3yr old on a school bus just seems a bit young to me. Is he a young JKer who will be turning 4 shortly? I hope you get it sorted out with the school board, but there's no way I would allow my child to go on the bus if they are expecting self-administration, not even with my DD who is 5.5. In fact, I don't know at what age I would let my kids be out on their own where self administration would be expected. I don't even want to think about that yet!

You mention an older son. . . would he be on the same bus, and would he be old enough to watch out for and administer epipen for little brother?

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DD 2004 Allergy to peanuts, egg, sesame, and new: lentils and chick peas
DS 2006 Allergy to peanuts, tree nuts, milk, egg, kiwi fruit, eczema

I have asked already about the dreaded school bus and have been told by our school that all drivers are anaphylaxis trained and will administer an epipen. I can't imagine a bus comapany allowing a driver to just watch a child (of any age) suffer an allergic reaction and to sit back stating they aren't required to give the epipen. That to me is like a lifeguard saying I'll be responsible for you playing on the beach but if you get in the water you are on your own!!! Technically once our children are on the school bus is it not true that the school becomes responsible for them? If so, then shouldn't any precautions in place at school should also be inclusive of being on the bus? If you have to - play the liability card.

Could they buddy your son up with an older student?
Thank goodness you are looking into this now, it would have been quite a shock come September. Best of luck!

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DD 12 yrs -no allergies
4 yr old DS - asthma/eczema Anaphylactic to Peanuts, all tree nuts, sesame , all pea/lentil legumes, gelatin.
Allergic to trees, grass,ragweed, feathers, dander, mold and dust.
Outgrew eggs, fish, shellfish

Alison's mom, my 5 year old has ADHD. He wears a seatbelt (the only one on the bus to do so) because he has a hard time controlling his impulses and stay seated. He is SO not capable of having that responsibility..besides that, I couldn't leave that in his hands.

And the other poster who asked, he'll be 4 in November. He's a late in the year baby.

I am going to have to work this out with someone. I'm so stressed.

Thank you!

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4yo ds: Finally!! Milk and Latex allergy. Preservative sensitivity. Asthma. Hay fever.
6yo ds: Hay fever, ADHD, asthma, penicillin, azithromycin, cephalosporin.

I think the transportation department is still your best bet to work this out. I didn't mean that your child should have to self administer. No school board policy would expect this. I just meant that your child should have the epipen with him/her either in the backpack or in an ebelt so that if the bus driver had to administer it, then it would always be close at hand. Leaving the epipen with the bus driver or in a first aid kit could be problematic (change in drivers, left in hot/cold bus, change in vehicle etc). Riding the bus is "doable" for allergic kids. You will be able to work it out! Good luck.

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11 year old daughter -- lives with life-threatening allergies to milk, eggs and peanuts; seasonal allergies (birch, maple, ragweed); pet allergies; asthma; and eczema
9 year old son - no allergies

Maybe ask if there is an alternative?

My son will be transported by taxi, not because of allergies but due to other reasons..attention being one, and medical reasons. We live in a very rural area so it's safety for him and the driver. He drives down country road and the bus ride is close to 45mins +. The taxi was the solution because it will be direct drive.

While coming up with the solution other ideas came up that may work for you...an older bus monitor to stay with him, or an attendant on the bus. If your son had his epipen on his belt then someone would be able to give it to him if needed.

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Tracy
A 4 -Gluten-free, dairy-free and soy-free. Also asthma, pulmonary stenosis, developmental delays, Noonan Syndrome, and environmental allergies.
T 7 - asthma and environmental allergies. And a wonderful big sister to her little brother

Oh, I see. When you were talking about the 5yr old sitting next to him, I didn't realize it was your other son. No, I agree - no 5 year should be responsible for anything that crucial. I don't know about the policies in the school districts with bus transport, but it seems to make sense the driver should be the one trained and responsible, if he/she is the only adult on the bus.

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DD 2004 Allergy to peanuts, egg, sesame, and new: lentils and chick peas
DS 2006 Allergy to peanuts, tree nuts, milk, egg, kiwi fruit, eczema

Not sure how far you live from the school, but when my son started kindergarten, they were having great difficulty keeping bus drivers. There seemed to be a different one each week. I ultimately decided to quit my job, stay at home for a while, and drive him to and from every day (1/2 hour each way). I have to say, it was sooooooo worth it. I'm not much of a "fighter" when it comes to beaurocracy (sp??), and the deciding factor came the day that the bus arrived 45 minutes late ... minus a neighbour's child. The bus driver had no idea where she was, and the school had not called. Turns out she had a hard time getting her snow pants on that day, and the bus left without her. Needless to say, many, many policies were broken that day, and NO ONE took responsibility. So I lost faith, and took matters into my own hands.

My son is in Grade 4 now, we've moved to another town within walking distance of their school, and he is able to look after himself now. But I still don't work very much ... I just need to be a phone call away if he has a reaction, because of course, I have little faith in the schools being able to do the right thing in an emergency. It's been quite a hit for us financially, but worth the price.

Here's a story that the school board superintendent told me last week (he's the husband of a friend of mine). When he was principal of an elementary school in a medium-sized city, a child had an anaphylactic reaction. Something was holding up the ambulance - construction or an accident or something, and it was not going to get there. They thought about calling the air ambulance, but it would have been too late. So he scooped the boy up and drove like a bat of of *#*$& to get to the hospital. The boy survived. In the aftermath, he was told that he did the WRONG thing, and next time he needed to wait for the ambulance to arrive. Forget common sense, when the lawyers looked at the situation, they would rather have had the boy possibly die at school than make whatever effort necessary to save him. He basically responded with a "whatever", and had vowed that he will stop teaching if he is ever told such a thing again. His own daughter has a peanut allergy, so he said he did what instinct told him to do at the time.

Bottom line ... despite all the policies in place (and all the educating I do at my kids' school about allergies and Epipens, etc), I still don't trust ANYONE but myself to truly handle an allergy emergency with my son, so I make sure that I'm in a position to deal with it.

Children have a right to attend school, and if the bus system is part of the schooling system, it should fall under the laws that support Sabrina's Law. It would be interesting to know what a human rights lawyer would think about this. I am sure that if you stand your ground, that it is your child's right to safety and accomodation, you will be able to come to a good outcome. If you point out that this is a diagnosed health impairment, and have documentation to support your claim that your 3 year old would be unable to be responsible for himself, they would come up with a better plan...do they not ever have attendants riding the bus for other kids who would require more care than just transportation? Our school has a district program for kids who don't fit a regular classroom setting due to behavioural issues, they are bussed from their homes due to their behavioural issues, and the driver is accompanied by an attendant, to support their behavioural issues. So maybe the school district you are in will have to hire someone to accompany your son.

Although, personally, I would not send any 3 year old on a bus, unseatbelted.

The "Anaphylaxis in Schools and Other Settings" consensus statement (the anaphylaxis bible, available online at allergysafecommunities.ca) says that no individual should be expected to self-administer.

Dd started school 4 weeks before her 4th birthday. She started wearing a belt style carrier a month before school started and all through the school year.
It might not work for a child with impulse control issues but for most 3 year olds, I think they can safely wear one. Not self administer but as aaronsmom says, no one should be expected to self administer.
For those with impulse control issues, is there anyway an assistant can be arranged to escort the child to and from school?

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Moderator
Daughter: asthma, allergies to egg, milk, peanuts, tree nuts, most legumes (not soy) & penicillin. Developing hayfever type allergies.
Husband: no allergies
Me: allergies to some tree that flowers in May
Cat: allergic to beef, pork and lamb

So I asked another bus employee that I know, on the side.

She said that the bus drivers are NOT responsible and cannot be responsible for the epipens. The only way is for him to carry is own Epipen and that if he needs it, they can only hand over hand the injection (like a hand over his hand, and inject).

I think it's ridiculous. The principal is now involved.

I brought up the issue of how he cannot possibly be the ONLY 3 year old (almost 4 year old when school starts in September) with this. She said that he isn't, however, due to confidentiality reasons, MOST PARENTS DO NOT SHARE THIS INFORMATION WITH THE BUS DRIVERS.

With the new epipen styles, I don't even know if my child, as of today, can even open the flap (mine were pretty tight and sticky, not sure why) of the epipen case (the green lid).

Oh boy. I do not agree with any of this ridiculousness..

She said the only way she sees this as resolvable, is if they hire a bus monitor to watch him to make sure nothing happens (he isn't reacting, he or another child stabs another child by playing with the epipen).

Waste of money if you ask me. If the bus driver would just keep the epipens at the front of the bus, we wouldn't have a problem..

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4yo ds: Finally!! Milk and Latex allergy. Preservative sensitivity. Asthma. Hay fever.
6yo ds: Hay fever, ADHD, asthma, penicillin, azithromycin, cephalosporin.

This doesn't sound right - please contact the transportation department at your school board office. There has to be a policy for allergic students to get to school safely especially since we have Bill 3 in Ontario. Students are not expected to self administer. Honestly, I wouldn't want the epipen left with the driver as I mentioned before. If the epipen is with your child, then you can be sure it will be available to use when needed and won't be sitting on a hot or cold bus between runs (making the epipen ineffective).

I would explain the situation to the transportation department and have them come up with a plan to get your child safely to school. That is their job. You should not have to worry about this. If taking a bus is not the safest way to school for your child then alternative transportation arrangements will need to be made by the board which would most likely be a taxi. Children with a wide variety of health needs (children with feeding tubes, epilepsy, diabetes) require special bus plans and do make it to school safely. Your child can expect to have his needs met too.

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11 year old daughter -- lives with life-threatening allergies to milk, eggs and peanuts; seasonal allergies (birch, maple, ragweed); pet allergies; asthma; and eczema
9 year old son - no allergies

I found this link on the Ontario Student Transportation Services site. I was told they would administer the epipen and this looks like it confirms they will as it is a form giving them consent to do so.



Emergency Administration of Epinephrine (EPI PEN) Form 5.4A
Southwestern Ontario Student Transportation Services (“STS”) recognizes that during the regular course of home to
school transportation, it may be necessary to immediately administer the medication epinephrine, using the EPIPEN autoinjector,
to students who have a life threatening allergic reaction. It is the role of STS to support transportation service
providers in implementing this measure, noting that should a bus driver have occasion to administer an EPIPEN autoinjector,
he/she does so in accordance with the policy of STS, and applying the “in loco parentis” principle, not as a health
care professional.
Student Information
Student Name: DOB: (mm/dd/yyyy)
Parent/Guardian Name:
Address:
Telephone #: Alternate Telephone #:
Emergency Contact Name: Telephone #:
Place Student Photo Here
Please check all that apply:
The child has a potentially life threatening allergy (anaphylaxis) to:
Peanut Tree Nuts Wheat Egg Milk Insect Stings (bees/wasps) Latex
Other ___________________________________________________________________________
Medication _______________________________________________________________________
Physician’s Statement
In my opinion, the following procedure is medically appropriate for the above-named student and should be administered
during school transportation if required.
An EpiPen Auto-Injector
I confirm that I have explained fully the nature, effect and possible side effects of such treatment to the pupil and to the
parent and/or guardian.
Physician’s Name (Print) _________________________________________ Phone Number:______________________
Physician’s Signature__________________________________________________ Date: _________________________
Parent/Guardian Authorization and Release
Notice of Collection Statement Special Needs/Medical
I ________________________________________acknowledge that STS services will be provided on
(Parent/Guardian Signature)
the terms described herein and in STS policy and procedure 5.4. I agree to inform STS as soon as any of the information
on this form changes. I consent to the sharing of this information between STS, the school board and the service
provider for the purpose of student transportation arrangements. Where necessary, I hereby permit STS to access any
personal/medical information held by STS and/or the School Board and to share this information with the School Board
and the service provider for the purpose of safely transporting students.
For STS Use Only
School Vehicle Operator
AM Stop Location AM Run ID
PM Stop Location PM Run ID
Notice of Collection: Southwestern Ontario Student Transportation Services (“STS”) acts on behalf of your school board and contracts transportation service providers to
arrange transportation to and from school for eligible students. The personal information you provide on this form will be shared with the relevant staff of STS, school board
and transportation provider for the purpose

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DD 12 yrs -no allergies
4 yr old DS - asthma/eczema Anaphylactic to Peanuts, all tree nuts, sesame , all pea/lentil legumes, gelatin.
Allergic to trees, grass,ragweed, feathers, dander, mold and dust.
Outgrew eggs, fish, shellfish