What is Celiac disease?

Celiac Disease is a multi-system autoimmune disease requiring a strict 100% gluten-free diet for a lifetime. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. Unfortunately, gluten is often used in cosmetics, medications, household products, food fillers/thickeners, and processed foods. Even if a food product does not contain gluten, it may have gluten due to cross-contact. Cross-contact with gluten can occur at many stages of food/product production, from growing, transport, processing, or shipping. Adherence to a strict gluten-free diet presents challenges, but cross-contact events can be significantly reduced with the proper understanding and education.

Prevalence of Celiac Disease?

Celiac Disease is a global condition affecting 1% of the world population. Celiac Disease affects 1 in 133 people in the US alone, and 83% of Americans who have CD are undiagnosed or misdiagnosed with other conditions.

What is a 504 Plan?

A 504 plan addresses more than just gluten-free meals; it outlines a plan of services for students in the general education setting. It identifies reasonable accommodations to help the child succeed in the classroom. For a student with celiac disease, a 504 accommodation plan would address the following:

  • Objectives and goals of the plan,

  • Meals and snacks,

  • Bathroom access,

  • Classroom activities (art projects),

  • Field Trips / extracurricular activities,

  • Emergency evacuations / shelter-in-place,

  • Parental notification, and

  • Emergency contacts.

Please click the below links to the University of Chicago Celiac Medicine Celiac Disease Center education to find explanations for the following topics:

overview of Celiac Disease

Symptoms of Celiac Disease

Diagnosis of Celiac Disease

Antibody testing

Genetic Testing

Treatment of Celiac Disease

Follow-up testing

Sources for identifying if a product is actually Celiac Friendly:

Candy Guide: Boston Children’s Celiac Disease Center releases a candy guide each year before Halloween.

Gluten-Free Watchdog: Tricia Thompson, founder, uses state of the art food testing data to inform consumers of safe food products for Celiac Disease patients.