‘My child doesn’t feel so alone’: Online program helps kids with allergies

An online program for kids with allergies made parents and children more confident about managing their food allergies. A small study published in Allergy, Asthma & Clinical Immunology looked at the impact of Food Allergy Canada’s Allergy Pals program on the kids who used it and their parents. They surveyed them between May 2020 and May 2021. Between 7% and 8% of kids in industrialized nations have a food allergy. It’s often associated with a lower quality of life, thanks to the increased financial burdens, the vigilance required to avoid allergens and fear about the future. School-aged kids are often bullied or excluded from activities, thanks to their allergies. Read: Early introduction of peanuts in babies to reduce allergy risk Allergy Pals is an online peer-to-peer mentoring program to help with some of these issues. Made for kids between seven- and 11-years-old, it connects kids with other children with food allergies and a peer mentor over eight sessions online. The study looked at signs of competence, like carrying epinephrine and knowing the symptoms of anaphylaxis, and how often the child or a trusted adult read the ingredient list of foods. Competence was high both before and after the program. It also looked at confidence rates, which included things like kids asking for support around allergies, feeling left out, feeling comfortable asking strangers for help, and being okay with speaking to others about their food allergies. Read: What's happening with Canada's baby formula shortage and what parents should do Confidence rose both quantitatively and qualitatively after participating. Kids reported feeling less left out, more empowered and more confident advocating for their needs. They also said they had a greater sense of community and felt less isolated. In the qualitative answers, the theme with the highest frequency of common words was: “My child doesn’t feel so alone.” Studies of similar programs in the U.S. and Spain have also found benefits for participants. Read: Early treatment could tame peanut allergies in small kids

‘My child doesn’t feel so alone’: Online program helps kids with allergies

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