One of my favorite things about working in an elementary school is kids that age remind you that everything is worth celebrating. Halloween? Let’s take a day to party for that-a parade, games, treats, those cool prismatic pencils. Thanksgiving? How great to be an American. Winter holiday? All-encompassing! How careful we are to make everyone feel included and worthy...and I love that about us now.
The best one is birthdays, though. I love the many snacks ambitious homeroom moms create to celebrate. They are always individually proportioned, to ensure no kid cries their piece is too small, which I always found thoughtful. And no snack ever has peanut butter in, because what would ruin a birthday more than a trip to the hospital with anaphylactic shock. Brownies, ice cream, the ever-evolving and omnipresent cupcakes...the coolest cupcake I ever saw looked like a lady-bug with fruit roll-up wings and little black licorice feet. So cute.
For as adorable as it was though, I don’t think the design was the reason that particular birthday party was so memorable. At the time I was working with a seven year old with Autism, whose treatment included a gluten/casein free diet. I remember him being so excited to have a ladybug cupcake-he loved all bugs anyway. One of his favorite things to do at recess involved holding his nose a centimeter away from the grass, tracking the movements of all the newly-emerged spring insects. He always wanted to know what their “homes” looked like.
However, unfortunately, Duncan-Heinz cupcakes are not gluten-casein free. We had a replacement snack for said child, but at the end of the day goldfish crackers just don’t really compare to a big, moist and delectable sugary confection. Now I know everyone has their own thoughts on diet as a therapy option and maybe we’ll explore that in the future, but I will say it does not contribute to social inclusion. This particular birthday party ended in some pretty vehement behaviors, pitying looks from the homeroom parents and embarrassment from the birthday boy.
An easy solution? Parents, I beseech you to try a different tack. Ok, no kid likes to give pencils as their birthday treat, or small toys or anything else “lame”. However, check out some modern research on refined sugars, white flour, and processed dessert recipes. There are some really scary biological consequences that affect ALL people, ragardless of whether they are typically functioning or not. So, maybe, we could experiment with gluten free, vegan, allergen-friendly recipes to introduce to our kids in school. They are just as tasty, if slightly more difficult to make. Not a baker? Not to worry, I can’t bake AT ALL either. So I did some research. If you live in the metro Philadelphia area, here are two companies that provide many tasty treats that everyone can enjoy! Also, you can order online and they ship! So maybe not only can my clients participate in a fabulous birthday party with no social boundaries, but all our kids can be a little bit healthier too.
Sweet Freedom Bakery
http://www.sweetfreedombakery.com/
1424 South Street
Philadelphia, PA 19146
(215) 545-1899
Cookies...for me?
Furlong, PA
Tel. 215-345-7078
http://www.cookiesforme.com/
inquiry@cookiesforme.com
