Autism Diet and Nutrition

Explore five mealtime woes and possible solutions to help your child’s mealtimes be more enjoyable. Dinnertime comes at the end of a long day, but as many parents know, cooking a meal that your child will approve of can be anything but relaxing. Regardless of ability, children can be picky, finicky, and fickle. For those

A mom’s account of her experience with biomedical intervention to improve her son’s autism symptoms. When my son was diagnosed with sensory processing disorder at age three, I had no idea how to help him—even though I had been an autism behavioral intervention specialist before staying home with my own children. Luckily, I am the

As a pediatric occupational therapist, I am often consulted as a feeding specialist. One of the first questions I am asked is, “Why is my kid a picky eater?”  Unfortunately, this question cannot be answered simply. There are so many variables that impact the reason why a child is a “picky eater.” However, finding the

A significant number of children experience autism and ARFID, or avoidant restrictive food intake disorder. Understanding the nuances of eating and behavioral issues is crucial for effective support and interventions for affected children. ARFID significantly impacts children’s eating behaviors and sensory profiles, with the fear of new foods exacerbating dietary restrictions. When co-occurring with ASD,

When was the last time you took a bite of food and paid attention to the skills you used? You use your lips, tongue, and cheeks to move the food to your teeth, chew it, and move it back to swallow. If this was a difficult experience that made you feel unsafe – would you

You know the scenario too well: You’ve spent hours cooking a delicious and nutritious meal – only for your child to dislike most ingredients on their plate. “I don’t want to eat broccoli,” they proclaim. “But it is good for you,” you answer back. And so it goes on. Luckily, there are practical tips that

Occasionally, all kids can be picky at the dinner table. Sometimes, picky eating can take on an extreme and become a pediatric feeding disorder. But what exactly is pediatric feeding disorder, and how do you recognize your child needs help? Some parents question if their child’s eating is outside of typical development. This article will

In recent years, interest in natural and dietary approaches to managing autism spectrum disorder has increased. Among the many food-based options gaining attention, camel milk has stood out for its potential benefits. Often overlooked in Western countries, camel milk has long been consumed in parts of Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. Many families exploring

Meet Tanishq, an autistic boy whose love for cooking has inspired other special needs kids. Autistic individuals display a range of special skills. Identifying and encouraging such special abilities from a young age can help the child on the spectrum in many ways. Here is one such example of an 11-year-old child on the spectrum

We’ve all been there, at a relative or friends house and our children are refusing to eat what is being served. It can be a stressful time, often causing us to second guess our parenting decisions, especially if we are with opinionated people who like to share how they handled those situations with their kids!

With little more than anecdotal evidence available, should parents consider the GAPS (gut and psychology syndrome) diet for their kids on the spectrum? If you want to divide the room, any room, start talking about your child’s diet. Elimination diets, gluten-free diets and, yes, one of the most debated: the GAPS diet. But what if

While autism spectrum disorder (ASD) symptoms typically appear during the first five years of life, it can sometimes be difficult to diagnose because of the broad range of symptoms. Due to the difference in range of abilities for children on the spectrum, it can also be a challenge to find the right treatment to help

Meet Zeek, who has just turned five. He likes to eat chicken nuggets, fish sticks, buttered noodles, and Ritz crackers. Oh, and cookies. He will eat any kind of cookies, so long as they have a crunch. Before the age of two, he ate a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, but now, it’s pulling

Joyful traditions during the holiday season can bring a new set of challenges for children with ASD, especially those who have feeding deficits. Gatherings that include family meals bring new flavors, smells, and tastes that can be overwhelming for a child with sensory sensitivities. Involving your child in the kitchen when making holiday dishes can

Diet has long been associated with healthy living, but it remains a little-known fact that it can also play a significant role in managing autism. Studies over the years have shown a healthy diet is crucial to the prevention and management of neurological disorders, and autism is no exception. But parents often don’t know where

Leaky gut, also known as increased intestinal permeability, is a digestive disorder that develops when tight junctions loosen or become damaged, allowing undigested food, bacteria, or toxins to leak through the wall of the intestine1. Tight junctions are small gaps in the intestinal lining that promote the transfer of nutrients while preventing undesirable compounds from

It’s that dreaded time again. You open the refrigerator door and scan the wholesome ingredients that seem to mock you with their bright, healthy colors in illuminating shades of greens and yellows. “Easy meals” on Pinterest and books on “picky eaters” clearly do not know the true definition of your child’s eating habits. Another monochromatic

Most children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) also have chronic digestive issues1 such as leaky gut and constipation – because their gut bacteria (microbiome) are out of balance. As parents know, these gut disorders often lead to a child’s irritability. The good news is that scientists are now finding that simply increasing soluble fiber

Children with autism can be taught how to enjoy assisting with meal preparation in the kitchen. Here is a list of ten ways your child can benefit by being involved with meal preparation. 1. Grow your own food What better way to learn about various food items than to grow your own? Your child with