<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>> Hello everyone, First, thank you to everyone who replied to my posting and so generously shared their personal histories. Many people asked for more information about what I meant by Sarah getting sick for 3-7 days after a being exposed to crumbs. Many thought that perhaps she was actually consuming gluten from a hidden source, or that the symptoms were from something else. We do have a gluten-free home and are very careful about reading labels and calling to check even on our regular products. Sarah's bouts of illness are easily corrilated with events outside our home (which she hasn't done more than once every week or two). She is always accompanied at these events and never intentionally "cheats." Sometimes, after we have been someplace (playgroup, preschool class, etc) where there is visible, copious gluten contamination, she will start feeling bad within about 24 hours. She has moderate to severe stomach pain (enough to disturb sleep), no appetite, stool changes, behavioral problems (easy crying, clinginess) and extreme fatigue. None of these is fun, but the most significant right now is the lack of appetite and no willingness to eat. Because Sarah was so underweight when she went gluten-free 7 months ago, we are still catching up. She has gained 3 pounds and is now back on the weight charts (3rd percentile), but it only takes a few days of not eating for her to begin to lose weight. We have discussed these circumstances with her gastroenterologist and she agrees that the symptoms are gluten related and she has other patients with similar sensitivities. Many of you wrote with encouraging stories and helpful suggestions. Most of the celiac kids are attending preschool/school as usual. Food related suggestions included sending the child to school with their own food in a sealed, easily identified container; working closely with the school and staff to anticipate cooking projects and special food events and sending g.f. food for the child; and teaching excellent self monitoring to the child. Many of you described children who have learned to watch their own behavior (not putting hands to mouth) and who wash hands frequently. All this was very incouraging that Sarah will outgrow her habit of touching her mouth and that her good hand washing habits will pay off in the end. I did hear from two other (so far) families with young celiac children who were having similar difficulties to ours. They described having to discontinue most out-of-the-home activities and take their children out of preschool. Some things we have done to balance the loneliness and isolation is to find peer group activities for Sarah that do not have any food (preschool always involves a snack). She is starting a ballet/tap class at a dance studio where the room is not used for anything else. This took more sleuthing than you would think- one dance company uses the dance studio as a staff lunch room each day. We are also waiting for an opening in a music education class. I found other classes like this, but two per week was enough for us right now. I also got a response from Danna Korn that there is a ROCK group starting in our area, and that was a great find. What Sarah really wants is to feel like she isn't different from other kids and for now that will only happen in a gluten-free group. Thanks again for all the responses! Rosie Salt Lake City