What is Celiac Disease?
Celiac disease (CD) is a genetic autoimmune condition affecting the intestine when gluten is ingested. Gluten is a group of proteins found in wheat, rye and barley. When someone with CD eats gluten, the finger-like projections that line the walls of the small intestine known as villi become flattened and unable to absorb food and nutrients properly.
The treatment for CD is a strict gluten-free diet.
What is Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity?
People with non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) experience symptoms that are similar to those with CD. However, there is minimal to no damage to intestinal villi. There is no test to diagnose NCGS. A diagnosis of NCGS can be made after CD and a wheat allergy have been ruled out.
The treatment for NCGS is a gluten-free diet.
What is Dermatitis Herpetiformis?
Dermatitis herpetiformis (DH) is a bumpy, itchy skin rash that is associated with celiac disease. In almost all cases, the small intestine of a person with DH is also damaged to some extent by exposure to gluten. DH is diagnosed via skin biopsy by a dermatologist.
The treatment for dermatitis herpetiformis is a strict gluten-free diet.

How ROCK Can Help
With the growth of celiac disease diagnoses in children, it is clear that parents, kids and their families need a reliable educational program. Celiac disease is managed solely via a strict gluten-free diet, which can be extremely challenging in a world filled with foods containing gluten.
The ROCK program provides education and support along with age-appropriate educational tools and advocacy training. Some features of the ROCK program include:
- Local support groups and meet-up events
- Phone helpline available each weekday
- A course for caregivers that explains celiac disease, the gluten-free diet and the gluten-free lifestyle in three easy steps (coming soon)
- A teen blog about living gluten-free (coming soon)
- Downloadable educational materials for families and clinicians
- This educational website covering many relevant topics, including:
– how to manage at school, parties and holidays,
– finding gluten-free camps
– how to meet challenges specific to dating and attending college

History
Founded in 1991 by Danna Korn in San Diego, ROCK quickly grew to support many celiac families via local meet-up groups in communities across the nation. The National Celiac Association is proud to welcome the well-respected ROCK program to our advocacy organization.
Become a ROCK star
Click here to connect
with others in your area.
Attend a ROCK event
Events range from local
meet ups for support to
events for all people living a
gluten-free lifestyle.

How You Can Help!
The National Celiac Association is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization dedicated to educating and advocating for individuals with celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivities, their families, and communities throughout the nation.
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