In this blog post today I’m sharing 5 tips for introducing your autistic child to new foods. Food can be a big trigger for many of our autistic children.. And it’s something that needs a lot of careful thought putting into it for how you will approach it.
At the bottom of this blog post I’m also sharing some helpful links to resources to support your child with trying new foods, and eating in general.
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Tip #1 – Identify Possible Triggers
First of all, try to identify if there is anything in particular that is a trigger for your child. Do they struggle with a certain color? Or texture? Is it not the food as such but the way that it’s cooked? Do they prefer cold food to hot food? Look at these triggers and try to remove as many as possible to begin with.
Tip #2 – Separate Foods
A lot of our children can’t cope with foods touching each other. One of my best tips is to use a cupcake tray. Using a cupcake tray, you spread out the different foods into each of the compartments of the tray. It’s great for putting liquid foods into as well – or dips.
If your child has a packed lunch, you can also get compartment lunch boxes so that the food can be separated and won’t be touching.
Tip #3 – Make Food Fun!
Another thing that I enjoy doing is to make food ‘fun.’ This is great for making food more attractive for our children. Pinterest is always full of great ideas for making food fun. You can also look at making foods into certain ways – like if your child likes trains, you can look for train snacks and try to make foods in this way.
Tip #4 – Baking
Baking is another great way for your children to try new foods. Children love playing with food and baking all sorts of different treats and meals. Involving children in the process of cooking is a great way to encourage them to taste new foods. Don’t be overly pushing in the tasting part. Encourage them to smell the foods, or even lick them. These are all great ways for your child to start the process of trying new foods.
Tip #5 – Sensory Bins
My students love to use sensory bins.. And these are great for adding in some different food and ingredients too as well! This will help your students to get used to the sight, feel and smell of these new foods and that can help them build up to possibly tasting these new foods.
Quick Tips
Some other quick tips that I have;
- Don’t use food as a reward and/or punishment.
- If putting new foods onto a plate, only put a spoonful so as not to overwhelm your child with the new food.
- You can also hide veg in certain foods by blending it up and mixing it in.
- Be consistent but flexible.
- Create a safe and positive environment during meal times to help your child feel more relaxed.
- Be patient. If your child says no to tasting something, ask them to point at it.. look at it.. describe it.. smell it.. Anything to just engage them in thinking more about that food.
- Have your child help to dish up their own plate of food to get them involved.
- Be a role model and show your child the different foods that you eat. Also, show them how you can taste a food.. And what to do if you don’t like it.
What tips do you have for encouraging your children to taste new things?
Helpful Links
You may find the following links helpful;
- What is PICA?
- Edible Sensory Bin Fillers
- Trying New Foods Social Narrative
- USA Amazon List – Meal Times
- UK Amazon List – Meal Times
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Nikki
