What is Pediatric Feeding Disorder? Pediatric Feeding Disorder (PFD) is a feeding disorder defined as impaired oral intake that is not age-appropriate and is associated with medical, nutritional, feeding skill, and/or psychosocial dysfunction by Feeding Matters. It is estimated that more than 1 in 37 children under the age of 5 are affected by Pediatric Feeding Disorder each year in the United States [1]. PFD can put a child at risk for malnutrition or nutritional deficiency, so it’s important that the child receives the proper supports to get the nutrition their body needs. It’s important to ..read more

Picky eating is extremely common in autism with 90% of kids being a selective eater on the spectrum. Food chaining is the process of gradually introducing new foods by starting with their safe foods, but why does that matter? Introducing food chaining has the potential to expand a child’s diet and prevent nutrient deficiencies while reducing stress around trying new foods. If your child struggles with picky eating, has food sensory issues, texture sensitivity, and has food aversions, you’re in the right place. In this post we will be going over food chaining and its principles, how picky eati ..read more

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Brittyn Coleman • Autism Nutrition & Picky Eating (@autismdietitian) Vacations are a time for relaxation, exploration, and creating lasting memories with your family. However, for parents of children with autism who are picky eaters, the idea of embarking on a vacation can be overwhelming. The thought of finding appropriate food options and managing potential meltdowns might dampen the excitement. But fear not! With some careful planning and consideration, you can ensure a stress-free vacation experience for the whole family. In this blog post ..read more

One of the most common reasons a parent reaches out to me is that their kiddo on the autism spectrum is a picky eater.  Day after day they place a dish on the table and think, “I hope my child will eat this!” or “I just want them to eat something!” If you’re reading this post I bet you can relate.  There is a lot of research showing that children on the spectrum are more likely to be picky eaters. In fact one study showed that 70-90% of parents who have a child on the spectrum report their kiddo to be a selective eater. Autism, Picky Eating, and a Plan for Introducing New Foods 1. Id ..read more

Autism and Halloween can be a tricky combination for some kiddos, but don’t stress - there are still so many ways to make the holiday fun! While we don’t want to bombard our kids with sugary treats that might lead to behavior challenges or tummy troubles, we can still offer treats that our kids will enjoy. Read on for some ideas to get you started!     Is there a connection between autism and sugar? Many parents of kids with autism have reported changes in their child’s behavior when they eat sugary foods, and there is research supporting the connection between autism and sugar ..read more

Have you ever wondered how technology could help autism? Autism and AAC Expert, Rachel Madel, MA, CCC-SLP takes over the Autism Dietitian Instagram to teach us all about autism and AAC devices! In this video you'll learn information about how AAC devices are helpful for language development, communication, and who should even be using them! Find Rachel on Instagram at @RachelMadelSLP.     Need Autism Diet Support? >>let's work together ..read more

Holidays can sometimes feel like a challenge to navigate when you have a child with autism.  With a food-focused holiday like Thanksgiving, it can be tricky to find foods that fit into a nourishing diet.  That’s why we’ve collected 20+ autism recipe ideas that are free from gluten, dairy, soy, and corn (many are nut-free too!).  If you need some tips on navigating Thanksgiving with a child on the autism spectrum, we’ve got this blog post that is chock-full of helpful tips to get you started!      Appetizers and Snacks Appetizers and snacks can be a great way to m ..read more

Autism and Halloween can be a tricky combination for some kiddos, but don’t stress - there are still so many ways to make the holiday fun! While we don’t want to bombard our kids with sugary treats that might lead to behavior challenges or tummy troubles, we can still offer treats that our kids will enjoy. Read on for some ideas to get you started!      Is there a connection between autism and sugar? Many parents of kids with autism have reported changes in their child’s behavior when they eat sugary foods, and there is research supporting the connection between autism and suga ..read more

Planning balanced lunches can be a struggle, especially when life gets hectic.  If you’re feeling like you’re in a lunch rut, we’ve got your back with 15+ lunch ideas, filled with nourishing foods for kids.  These lunches are simple, nourishing, and packed with kid-friendly favorites.  Keep in mind that every child has a unique appetite, so you may need to serve your child bigger or smaller portions depending on how much they usually eat!      How to Build a Balanced Lunch If you’re lost or don’t know where to start when packing a balanced lunch, we’re here to he ..read more

As a parent of a child with autism, it can be helpful to dig into resources and be armed with information that can help you on your journey. But sometimes knowing which books to read can be a challenge - there are so many options out there! We’ve compiled a list of some of our favorites to get you started, ranging from strategies for picky eaters to cookbooks to supplements. Read on to discover which autism books and resources we recommend.      Understanding Autism These books cover a wide range of topics, from understanding and treating autism to encouraging and uplifting sto ..read more