Mealtime for many families is an opportunity to provide structure and family bonding in otherwise hectic schedules. However, for families with a child with autism, it can be a stressful experience, as children with autism may engage in increased problem behaviors during mealtime related to food selectivity and other feeding concerns. Parents of children with autism report higher rates of mealtime behavior issues, spousal stress during mealtimes, and impact on other family members’ food choices compared to parents of typically developing children (Curtin, et al, 2015).
The Thanksgiving holiday can be an especially challenging time for families that have children with autism who experience food sensitivities. With an abundance of new, unfamiliar dishes crowding the table, changes in typical mealtime routines, and a more crowded dinner table, the holiday meal can become stressful quickly. QBS provides several strategies below that family members can use to reduce the stress and anxiety surrounding Thanksgiving.
Understanding Food Sensitivities in Autism
Many people with autism have heightened sensory sensitivities, which can extend to the tastes, textures, smells, and appearances of foods. This can make trying new dishes an overwhelming experience, leading to sensory overload, food refusal, and other meal-related challenging behaviors. It’s important for parents to be patient and empathetic as their child navigates these sensory challenges.
Preparing for the Thanksgiving Meal
In the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving, parents can take several proactive steps to ease the transition:
1. Introduce New Foods Gradually: Slowly incorporate small bites of traditional Thanksgiving dishes into your child’s regular meals. This gives them time to get familiar with the new flavors and textures.
2. Create a Thanksgiving Visual Schedule: Use a visual schedule to walk your child through the sequence of the Thanksgiving meal, from appetizers to dessert. This can help manage expectations, especially if there is a significant change from the normal mealtime routine.
3. Pack Preferred Foods: Be sure to have your child’s go-to comfort foods on hand to supplement the Thanksgiving spread. This provides a sense of security and familiarity.
4. Practice Coping Strategies: Roleplay ways your child can politely decline or request modifications to Thanksgiving dishes. Teach them calming techniques to use if they feel overwhelmed and/or communication to request breaks from the meal.
Thanksgiving Day Strategies
On the big day, continue using strategies to support your child’s food sensitivities:
1. Offer Choices: Let your child choose which new foods to try, and offer a preferred food (or use it as back up). Provide “just a bite” portions to start.
2. Use a Divided Plate: Serve Thanksgiving dishes in separate sections on your child’s plate to avoid cross-contamination of flavors and textures.
3. Be Flexible with Seating: Allow your child to eat in a quiet, comfortable spot if the Thanksgiving table becomes overstimulating.
4. Provide Sensory Breaks: Encourage your child to take breaks from the table to engage in calming activities, such as squeezing a stress ball or going for a walk.
5. Celebrate Small Victories: Acknowledge and praise your child for any new foods they try, no matter how small the portion.
By preparing in advance and employing supportive strategies during the Thanksgiving meal, parents can help their children feel included and reduce mealtime stress. With patience and a little creativity, the holiday table can become a more welcoming space for the whole family.
Resources
Curtin, C., Hubbard, K., Anderson, S.E., Mick, E., Must, A., & Bandini, L.G. (2015). Food selectivity, mealtime behavior problems, spousal stress, and family food choices in children with and without autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 45, 3308-3315. DOI 10.1007/s10803-015-2490-x