Resources for K-12 Students
Navigating celiac disease in K–12 schools takes collaboration, understanding, and the right tools. This page offers practical, evidence-informed resources to help students with celiac disease thrive and feel included at school, including downloadable handouts, published recommendations, and more designed to support families, educators, and school staff.
Celiac Disease Foundation School Support Sessions
If you have not already, we hope you attend one of our School Support Sessions. These sessions are held monthly and be open to all parents of a child with celiac disease in the United States, and are led by an expert on setting up 504 plans specific to celiac disease and will cover federal laws and regulations that govern this autoimmune disease, the appropriate type of plan to set up, reasonable accommodations, and how to get individual support for your family. This meeting is appropriate for families with a child of any age including early childhood through college, and the sessions last for approximately one hour and fifteen minutes.
Printable Handouts & Resources
Voluntary Recommendations for Managing Celiac Disease in Learning Environments
To create one standardized set of recommendations that appropriately apply federal laws, the Celiac Disease Foundation was part of a coalition of 46 experts that convened to develop the 2020 Recommendations for Managing Children with Celiac Disease in Learning Environments. Among these experts were healthcare providers from 10 children’s hospitals (physicians, nurses, dietitians, psychologists, social workers and community education specialists); national education associations; patient and physician advocacy groups; teachers and administrators from public and private schools; parents of children with celiac disease; students with celiac disease; a lawyer with expertise in education law; and a gluten-free food manufacturer.
The recommendations were developed to be applicable in a wide range of learning environments including public schools, private schools, charter schools, day care centers, in-home daycares, and institutions that do and do not receive federal funding.
Celiac Disease Facts & Figures Handout
A simple handout explaining the severity of celiac disease.
How to Support a Friend with Celiac Disease Handout
A great handout to share with your student’s school and their friends’ families.
Celiac Disease Word Search Handout
A fun activity for school-aged children to learn about common terms associated with celiac disease.
Sample 504 Plan Template
An example of what a 504 plan for celiac disease can look like.
Sample Diagnosis Letter Template
An example of what a diagnosis letter from a physician can look like. This is essential in setting up accommodations for celiac disease for your student.
Helpful Links
Department of Justice ADA Help Line
Search for Institutions Receiving Federal Funding
USA Spending is an open data source of federal spending information. This site tracks how federal money is spent in communities across America and beyond.
Research on Celiac Disease in School
A Quantitative Assessment of Gluten Cross-Contact in the School Environment for Children With Celiac Disease
Authors: Vanessa M. Weisbrod, Jocelyn A. Silvester, Catherine Raber, William Suslovic, Shayna S. Coburn, Blair Raber, Joyana McMahon, Amy Damast, Zachary Kramer, Benny Kerzner
Affiliations: Children’s National Hospital, Washington, DC; Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA; Temple Sinai Early Childhood Education Program, Summit, NJ
This study highlights the risk of gluten exposure from common school activities like Play-Doh, baking projects, and paper mâché. Researchers measured gluten transfer from hands and surfaces to gluten-free foods, showing that some materials pose a significant risk while others do not. The findings emphasize the need for gluten-free alternatives and proper cleaning methods to ensure a safe learning environment for students with celiac disease.
Pushing the Gluten-Free Envelope: First Steps Towards Evidence-Based Gluten-Free Diet Recommendations
Authors: Marisa Gallant Stahl, Pooja Mehta, Edwin Liu, Mary Hughes Shull
Affiliation: Digestive Health Institute, Children’s Hospital Colorado, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO
This commentary explores the balance between necessary gluten-free precautions and avoiding unnecessary hypervigilance. It discusses how schools can adopt evidence-based approaches to managing gluten exposure risks without excluding students from activities. The study suggests that safe handwashing and cleaning practices can enable participation in certain activities previously thought to be unsafe.
Identifying Parentally Perceived Barriers for Children With Celiac Disease to Participate in Elementary School Meal Programs
Authors: Nan Du, Elsa R. Treffeisen, Vanessa Weisbrod, Frances Kelley, Jocelyn Silvester
Affiliations: Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA; Celiac Disease Foundation
This research investigates why many children with celiac disease do not participate in school meal programs, despite the availability of free meals. Parents cited concerns about gluten cross-contact, lack of gluten-free options, and poor communication from schools. The findings underscore the need for better gluten-free meal planning and increased awareness of dietary accommodations in schools.