Lunch Kit Fun

Picky eating can be a challenge many parents struggle with for any child, not just children on the autism spectrum. Bradley's tastes have expanded and he is more willing to try new things. However, his tastes are still limited compared to his 21 month old brother, Max. Meal time can be a bit challenging, but I try to make it as relaxed and comfortable as possible for everyone.

Earlier this year I attended a training that addressed food anxieties for kids on the autism spectrum. The presenter compared chronic food pressures to PTSD like symptoms. I'm not so sure that Bradley has had any post-traumatic stress when trying new foods, but I can see the anxiety in his eyes at times. If Bradley is not fully committed to what he is eating his gag-reflex becomes super sensitive and he cannot keep even the smallest morsel of the new food down. Give Bradley a piece of pizza or plain cheeseburger and he'll effectively chew a mouth full of food and clean his plate.

To make lunch time more enjoyable I draw on Bradley's lunches. This isn't an every day thing, but I try to think of things we've talked about or something he really enjoys (super heroes for example) and hand-draw it on his ziplock bags. In a previous post "Bradley can read," I discussed writing sight words on Bradley's lunch bags too. Here are a few pictures of our lunch kit fun.