Send us a text

Welcome back to Part 2 of our essential Back to School series! If you missed Part 1, be sure to go back and listen. In this episode, your bestie allergist moms – Dr. Kara Wada, Dr. Amber Patterson, and Dr. Meagan Shepherd – are diving deeper into the strategies you need to ensure a safe and healthy school year for your child with allergies and asthma.

They demystify 504 plans and IEPs, explaining what they are, who qualifies, and how to start the process to get the accommodations your child needs. They also tackle the dreaded "peak week" – the third week of September – explaining why this time is a perfect storm for allergy and asthma flares due to a combination of pollen, mold, viruses, and schedule changes. Learn proactive tips to get ahead of this challenging season, the importance of having extra supplies like spacers at school, and how to best communicate with your doctor's office to make the back-to-school shuffle a breeze.


EPISODE IN A GLANCE
00:40 The 'Perfect Storm': Why Asthma Flares at the Start of School
03:26 Proactive Planning: How to Work with Your Doctor's Office
04:05 Don't Forget the Spacer! Essential School Supplies
05:06 What is a 504 Plan and Does My Child Need One?
10:05 'Peak Week' Explained: Ragweed, Mold, Viruses & More

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Show Sponsor: Molekule
This episode is proudly sponsored by Molekule. Learn more about their FDA-cleared air purification solutions, which use PECO technology to destroy pollutants 1000x smaller than the HEPA standard, helping you create a healthier indoor environment.
GET 15% OFF Molekule Air Purifier → https://creators.molekule.com/MKUL-ALLERGYACTUALLY

WRITE A PODCAST REVIEW

SEND US A SUGGESTION
allergyactually@gmail.com

ABOUT HOSTS
KARA WADA, MD
Dr. Kara Wada is a quadruple board-certified physician in allergy, immunology, and lifestyle medicine, and founder of the Immune Confident Institute. As a Sjogren’s patient and life coach, she combines modern medicine with lifestyle and mindset practices to help patients harness their body's ability to heal.
Website
LinkedIn
Instagram
Facebook
Youtube
TikTok

AMBER PATTERSON, MD
Dr. Amber Patterson is a world-renowned allergy and immunology expert pioneering the future of immunotherapy. As the U.S. ambassador for ILIT™ (a 3-injection allergy shot protocol), she is redefining allergy care through her practice, Auni Allergy®, and the groundbreaking Auni ILIT Learning Network.
Website
Instagram
Instagram
Facebook
Youtube

MEAGAN SHEPHERD, MD
Dr. Meagan Shepherd is a board-certified allergist and immunologist with nearly 15 years of experience specializing in advanced immunotherapy. She is known for her practical, evidence-based approach and her unique focus on "allergy-conscious living"—designing homes, habits, and lifestyles that improve her patients' quality of life.

Instagram