The Gluten-Free Zone: School Considerations for Childhood Celiac Disease

Celiac disease is a lifelong autoimmune disorder that effects nearly 1% of the United States’ population. Largely undiagnosed or misdiagnosed, celiac disease can present as physiological, psychological, or behavioral symptoms in children. Triggered by the presence of gluten, an item traditionally found in various products (e.g., food, school supplies, etc.), celiac disease is somewhat neglected in counseling literature despite its implications for those working with school-age children. The following provides an overview of important things for school counselors to know about the disorder, its causes, and approaches to reducing its effects in the school environment.