Autism & Picky Eating
Learn how sensory food aversion differs from picky eating, what conditioned taste aversion is, and how sensory sensitivities—especially in autistic children—can impact mealtimes. Discover research-backed insights and strategies for supporting kids with selective eating challenges.
Feeding challenges are common among autistic children, but many BCBAs still feel unsure about their role. In this post, I share why behavior analysts are a vital part of the feeding team—even without specialized training—and how you can start contributing in meaningful ways right now.
You’ve probably seen it—brands marketing bulldozer forks and Candyland-style plates to make mealtimes fun. But does playing with food actually help picky eaters try new foods? Research shows that while play can be a great tool, it doesn’t always translate to eating. In this post, we dive into what really works to help kids move from just interacting with food to actually tasting it!
Getting kids to try new foods can feel like an uphill battle, but the secret to success might not be what’s on their plate—it’s how they think about it. Last summer, while teaching my daughter to ride her bike, I discovered how a growth mindset can turn resistance into momentum. In this post, I’m sharing the simple steps and mindset shifts that can make all the difference at mealtime. Small steps really do lead to big wins!
The holiday season is upon us, and a number of festive holiday dinner opportunities are quickly approaching. Whether your family will be celebrating Diwali, Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, Lunar New Year, or another special holiday event, you may be wondering how to best plan to make this day special and inclusive for your neurodivergent picky eater. Today, let’s dive in and figure it out together!
Are you trying to encourage your autistic child to try new foods? If so, a good place to start might be introducing new foods to your child in picture books.
Want to introduce new foods to your child with autism or ARFID? Not sure what to offer that would actually lead to success with your very picky eater? Get food ideas for picky eaters, and learn how to come up with food swaps of your own to expand your picky eater’s diet.
The everything-you-need-to-know guide on Autism Feeding Therapy is here! You’ll learn what autism feeding therapy is, who it’s for, and an example of one child’s autism feeding therapy in action.
Feeling like you are the only momma on the planet dealing with picky eating that is so extreme? Read this.
Repeated exposure—not just one bite—is the key to helping kids like new foods. Backed by decades of research, this post explains how kids learn to enjoy new foods and introduces a printable story that teaches them how. Perfect for parents and feeding professionals alike.