![11648 [Allergies.jpg]](https://inclusive-live-storagestack-assetstorages3bucket-3uty0hejzw6u.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/public/inclusive-education/guides/featured-images/Allergies__ScaleMaxWidthWzMyMF0.jpg)
Allergies and learning
Practical approaches to ensure the wellbeing of those at risk of anaphylaxis and allergies.
On this page:
On this page:
Current page section: Allergies and learning
Go to top of current page: Allergies and learning
Go to top of current page: Allergies and learning
Go to top of current page: Allergies and learning
Understanding allergies and anaphylaxis
A description of terms to support your understanding of allergies and anaphylaxis.
![11718 [allergy-1738191-1920.jpg]](https://inclusive-live-storagestack-assetstorages3bucket-3uty0hejzw6u.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/public/inclusive-education/example-images/allergy-1738191-1920__ScaleMaxWidthWzU1OF0.jpg)
An allergy occurs when a person's immune system reacts to substances in the environment. The substance could be something eaten, inhaled, touched, or injected into the body.
Summary of important concepts:
Strategies for action
Four key strategies to ensure the wellbeing of those with allergies and to reduce the risk of anaphylaxis.
Recognise and respond to allergic reactions
Get to know a child or young person’s medical history, avoid allergens, and be prepared for emergencies.
![11535 [191577462-cac9782654-o.jpg]](https://inclusive-live-storagestack-assetstorages3bucket-3uty0hejzw6u.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/public/inclusive-education/example-images/191577462-cac9782654-o__ScaleMaxWidthWzU1OF0.jpg)
Allergic reactions are very common. It's important to be able to recognise the symptoms of common allergies, which put learners at risk of anaphylaxis.
Four suggestions for implementing this strategy:
-
Includes:
- Resources
-
Mild to moderate allergic reactions
Includes:
- Video
- Resources
-
Signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis
Includes:
- Video
- Resources
-
Includes:
- Video
- Resources
Develop and implement health and safety policies and procedures
All ECE services and schools must provide healthy and safe environments.
![11549 [7-Steps-to-allergy-awareness.png]](https://inclusive-live-storagestack-assetstorages3bucket-3uty0hejzw6u.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/public/inclusive-education/example-images/7-Steps-to-allergy-awareness__ScaleMaxWidthWzU1OF0.png)
“The Board’s/ECE’s policies, processes, and procedures assist everyone involved to make informed health and safety decisions that enhance and improve the school’s or ECE service’s health and safety performance.”
Five suggestions for implementing this strategy:
-
Review your enrolment policies
Includes:
- Resources
-
Includes:
- Resources
-
Includes:
- Resources
-
Includes:
- Resources
-
Includes:
- Resources
Create inclusive systems
Create systems that support everyone to feel safe, confident, and included.
![11556 [Flickr-https-flic.kr-p-4YJRV3.jpg]](https://inclusive-live-storagestack-assetstorages3bucket-3uty0hejzw6u.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/public/inclusive-education/example-images/Flickr-https-flic__ScaleMaxWidthWzU1OF0.kr-p-4YJRV3.jpg)
Take a whole-school approach to creating a safe and inclusive environment.
Three suggestions for implementing this strategy:
-
Develop allergy-aware environments
Includes:
- Resources
-
Includes:
- Video
- Resources
-
Includes:
- Resources
Create an inclusive learning environment
Design learning opportunities that minimise risk, reduce anxiety, and support young people to manage their own health and wellbeing.
![11562 [Screen-Shot-2017-11-28-at-8.21.54-AM.png]](https://inclusive-live-storagestack-assetstorages3bucket-3uty0hejzw6u.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/public/inclusive-education/example-images/Screen-Shot-2017-11-28-at-8__ScaleMaxWidthWzU1OF0.21.54-AM.png)
View your learning spaces through the eyes of a student with allergies. What supports can help to reduce the risk of an allergic reaction?
Six suggestions for implementing this strategy:
-
Includes:
- Resources
-
Create safe eating environments
Includes:
- Resources
-
Reduce airborne allergy triggers
Includes:
- Resources
-
Includes:
- Resources
-
Includes:
- Video
- Resources
-
Plan safe trips and excursions
Includes:
- Resources
Key resources

Allergy and Anaphylaxis Guidelines for Schools and Kura
Read time: 37 min
Guidelines to support school leadership, management, and teachers throughout New Zealand to manage allergies and anaphylaxis.
About allergy
Information about the causes, symptoms, treatment, and prevention of allergies.
Publisher: Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy
Information for schools and early childhood education/care
ASCIA action plans, e-training courses, and anaphylaxis management guidelines used throughout Australasian schools and early childhood services can be downloaded. Slide sets for teaching primary and secondary students are available as PDF downloads.
Publisher: Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy
Anaphylaxis resources
Downloadable posters, action plans, checklists, adrenaline autoinjector information, anaphylaxis guidelines, ASCIA anaphylaxis e-training courses, translations of anaphylaxis information, and general allergy information.
Publisher: Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy
ASCIA guidelines for prevention of anaphylaxis in schools, pre-schools and childcare: 2015 update
Read time: 21 min
These guidelines from ASCIA provide information about obtaining up-to-date medical information, developing a health-care plan, and reducing the risk of anaphylaxis as part of the enrolment process.
Publisher: Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy
- Download PDF
How to use this site
Guide to Index of the guide: Allergies and learning
Understand:
Strategies for action:
-
Recognise and respond to allergic reactionsShow suggestions for Recognise and respond to allergic reactions
-
Develop and implement health and safety policies and proceduresShow suggestions for Develop and implement health and safety policies and procedures
-
Create inclusive systemsShow suggestions for Create inclusive systems
-
Create an inclusive learning environmentShow suggestions for Create an inclusive learning environment