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caretip
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| | Help for your picky eater |
Children with autism can be selective about what they'll eat. Making sure they're getting a well-balanced diet can be challenging at the best of times. Now COVID-19 has disrupted daily routines and made it more difficult to buy certain foods. Clinicians on our child development team developed some tips that are helpful for parents of kids with autism and other children who are picky in what they'll eat. - Try to 'stick to your regular routine' and keep doing the good things you were doing prior to the pandemic. If you can't, remember that there will be time later to work on relearning these routines.
- Aim to follow predictable mealtimes that include sitting together at the table and having your child sit in a booster seat, rather than walking around or eating on the couch.
- Giving your child choices can help them gain a sense of control. Perhaps they can pick the colour of plate or cup they want to use, or which snack they will eat today. Limit the choices to options you know you have.
- Avoid force feeding, as this can lead to long-term problems, such as your child becoming fearful of eating.
- If your child loves a certain food, but you don't have it, show them on the calendar when you will get it (e.g., if you ran out of goldfish crackers, put a picture of goldfish crackers on the date you know you can get them).
- If your child insists on certain brands, like McDonald's chicken nuggets, and you can't get them, don't substitute a different brand and pretend it's the same. Tricking them will only lead to mistrust. Rather, tell them you can't get their favourite brand, and while this kind is different, it's worth a try.
- Do what works best right now to ensure your child is getting enough to eat, and don't feel guilty about it. There will be time post-pandemic to work on learning to try new foods. Now is not the time to start a new eating program!
- When possible, include kids in cooking and meal preparation. It exposes them to new foods and keeps them occupied. Choose age and developmentally appropriate 'safe' jobs for them to do (e.g., sorting foods, putting foods away, following a recipe, ripping lettuce, stirring batter and rolling dough).
- Call your child's doctor if you notice any of the following: stomach pain (non-verbal children may indicate this by hitting themselves in the abdomen); vomiting; diarrhea; pain with feeding; cough or difficulty breathing while eating; lethargy; decrease in urination; dry mouth, no tears when crying, sunken eyes; lack of interest in eating or drinking.
- Be strong and believe in yourself. This difficult period during COVID-19 will eventually end. In the meantime, you are doing the best you can as parents to make it through. Whenever you're concerned about your child's eating, call their physician.
This care tip was created by Dr. Sharon Smile, Occupational Therapist Christie Raffaele, and Speech-Language Pathologist Rebecca Perlin.
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'I am woman, I am black, I am doctor'
Chika Oriuwa made waves with a spoken poem about what it was like to be the only black student in her 2016 University of Toronto medical school class. She just graduated and was named the first black woman valedictorian for the faculty.
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'Sitting Pretty is the book I needed years ago as I grappled with my sense of self and my identity as a disabled woman. I put it down while reading only long enough to collect myself each time waves of emotion crashed over me. Rebekah's spunky, self-aware wit, combined with education that never feels didactic, make this book a worthwhile and rewarding read.'
Emily Ladau, writer and disability rights activist
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'A dedicated teacher looks back on a long career working with students with autism. She presents a positive history of educators and leaders who improved our understanding of autism. There is also a great emphasis on developing a child's strengths and not becoming locked into labels.'
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| | Content in BLOOM is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor.
Views expressed in posts and resources listed do not signify endorsement by Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital. | | |
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