Diet plays a big role in the overall health and well-being of any person. Establishing healthy eating habits, however, can be challenging for parents of autistic children. There are sensory aversions to textures, colours, appearance, and temperature of certain food products that parents have to consider. As such, some 75% of autistic children will be very selective about what they eat.
Can autism supplements meet your child’s high nutritional needs? How do you entice them to eat nutritious food? How do you prepare them for eating out?
Explore a few strategies that’ll support your child’s needs and allow them to enjoy meal times.
Consult a medical team.
Support and information from a dietician, behavioural psychologist, or an occupational therapist will allow you to create an effective plan when it comes to feeding your child. If your child happens to have a highly restrictive diet, a medical team would provide you with strategic approaches and identify dietary changes to improve how your child sees food.
A dietician would also provide you with helpful knowledge about supplements. What sort of supplements will your child need? Other than vitamins and minerals, can you try treatments like GcMAF to improve your child’s health? And how much does GcMAF cost?
Help them discover new types of food.
The unfamiliar is always daunting for anyone. In some cases, familiarisation would help an autistic child accept what they eat. Consistent exposure to new types of food might allow them to have a sense of control as they discover the textures, aromas, and colours of certain dishes.
How do you encourage them to explore these new food products?
- Take them with you when you’re grocery shopping. Teach them about new types of food.
- Gradually introduce unfamiliar food on their plate. Small portions of what they’re not used to eating placed beside what they love to eat might encourage them to try the unfamiliar dish.
- Encourage them to try unfamiliar food, but allow them only to lick, smell, or take small bites without expecting them to finish the entire thing.
- Prepare meals together. Some kids become more open to trying new dishes when they’ve had a hand in making it.
Involve them during meal planning.
Cultivate interest in unfamiliar food and encourage their participation by involving them during meal planning. This will give them a sense of control and teach them valuable life skills: time management, resourcefulness, and creativity.
Build off food they already enjoy.
The similarities between two types of food will encourage your child to discover the unfamiliar one. Try to introduce new and healthy food that shares similar characteristics with their favourites: shape, color, or texture. For example, kids who love cream cheese might try yoghurt because it has a similar consistency.
Another example would be introducing Cheerios with your child’s favourite, Froot Loops. The colours may be different, but they each have a round shape.
Establish a routine when eating at home.
Routine, like scheduled meal times, helps autistic children feel secure. A regular meal schedule also helps you stay organised at home, allowing you to prepare their food with adequate time.
Create a calm environment during meals.
What are your child’s sensory aversions? What sounds, smells, or colours do they prefer? Eliminate distractions during breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Create a calm environment by using a space where your child is comfortable eating.
Provide a visual guide for meals.
You can set your child’s clear expectations for meal times with a visual guide. When are their meal times? What will take place during meal times? Eliminate the unknowns, and your child will feel secure when they sit down to eat.
Make a plan when eating out.
Being prepared when the whole family’s eating out is crucial to everyone’s dining experience.
Start with choosing the right restaurant. The typical restaurant for kids may not be a good choice since many will have a variety of distractions, from too much colour to too much noise. Avoid restaurants that have too many strong sensations.
Next, call ahead to find out if the restaurant caters to special needs. You’ll want to make reservations to prevent waiting between your arrival and getting a table.
Look over the menu. Does it list the food your child prefers? Will the kitchen welcome special requests?
If it’s a new restaurant, visit it first. Have a quick meal and scope out the lighting, seats, and service. Will it be too loud or bright for your child? Are the seats comfortable enough? Are the service staff patient and kind?
A restaurant with booth seating might be ideal so that your child doesn’t feel too exposed. You can also bring along a favourite item, giving them something to focus on when the sensations become overwhelming.
Request your check early if it’s just the two of you. This way, you can pay for the meal quickly and leave as soon as possible. But if you’re dining with the rest of the family, a sibling or your spouse can leave with your child while you pay for the check.
Diet and nutrition are crucial to your child’s health and well-being. When they have specific preferences as any autistic adult, follow a plan that encourages healthy eating choices. Over time and with persistence, your child can grow up to appreciate delicious but nutritious food.
