Speaking Up

What this lesson covers

A short script helps. Practice a sentence your child can use: “I have celiac disease, so I need gluten-free food and clean tools.” Having the words ready makes speaking up feel much easier when a new adult is serving food.

Teach your child to ask before accepting. “Can you check with a grown-up?” or “Is this labeled gluten-free?” are complete, polite questions. It is okay to pause and check instead of guessing — that pause is the skill, not a sign of rudeness.

And model the friendly finish. A simple “Thank you for checking” keeps the conversation warm while your child learns to advocate for their own needs. Over time, these small moments add up to a child who can handle a new food situation without needing you in the room.

It helps to rehearse out loud, not just in your head. Practice the sentence at home, then again in the car before a party or a restaurant, so the words are already there when your child needs them. Younger kids can start with one line and a hand on a grown-up’s sleeve; older kids can add a short explanation of why it matters. Praise your child for asking, even when the answer turns out to be no — the asking is the skill you are building. And let them hear you use the same kind of language with servers, coaches, and other parents, because children copy what they see far more than what they are told.