FAQautism

“My daughter seems to have gotten in a rut with her school lunch,” commented a parent. “Whether she takes her lunch or buys lunch in the cafeteria, she just plays with the food and doesn’t really eat.” Similar concerns have been expressed by other parents and by teachers of students of all ages diagnosed with autism.

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STRATEGIES TO CONSIDER: Although our youngsters tend to like routine and lack of change, it may be that, in the case of school lunches, the students are simply bored. They may just be tired of the traditional “sandwich-chips-apple” routine of sack lunches or the “meatloaf-green beans-mashed potatoes-fruit cocktail” routine of the cafeteria tray. There are ways to pique interest by introducing something new each day while at the same time keeping their comfortable routines intact. Pick at least one item from this menu of ideas for busting lunchtime boredom.
1. Daily Crunch. Add at least one crunchy item to the lunch box each day. Most youngsters with autism like munching on crunchy items that give a tasty, sensory burst. Try some of these favorites: popcorn, Survival Crunch (roasted unsalted nuts with some dried fruits), new chips and crackers that contain vegetables, mini-carrot sticks or pencil-thin celery sticks with dip, apple slices spread with peanut butter, or dehydrated veggies (crunchy low-salt slices of carrots, potatoes, green beans, and other veggies that can be found in the bulk-foods section).
2. Daily Specials. If your youngster really thrives on routine, you can have a standard, predictable menu for each day of the week. For example, every Monday his lunch could include his traditional favorites – a peanut butter sandwich, chips, and a cookie. Then every Tuesday could be “Pieces of Pizza” with cheese sticks, pepperoni slices, tiny sweet tomatoes, crunchy Italian crackers, some grapes, and an apple turnover. And every Wednesday could be “Finger Food Fiesta” with some Survival Crunch, “sandwiches” of veggie crackers and cheese spread, miniature blueberry muffins, and a container of fruit yogurt that was kept in a the freezer overnight. And so on – with a regular predictable lunch menu for each day of the week.
3. Hug from Home. Stick a little treat in the sack lunch that is a hug from home. For example, if your youngster’s diet allows, you can include a chocolate kiss or a wrapped peppermint in the lunch every single day. Or you can put a different little treat or note from home in the lunch box each day.
Although it would be much easier for us to just stick the same foods in a sack for lunch every day, it is probably a good idea for us to take just a few minutes to add some new element into the daily lunch routine. Busting boredom pays off by boosting appetite and impacting the health and well-being of our youngsters with autism.

NOTE TO LISTENERS AND READERS: I am Cathy Knoll, a board certified music therapist and long-time friend of many folks with autism. At FAQautism.com we are committed to providing free, practical, everyday tips for making life better for people with autism. You can click on a button to send me an email with your thoughts or challenging situations or innovative solutions. Check out our website for a wealth of ideas and a glimpse into the world of autism. www.FAQautism.com

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