FAQautism

Lunchtime can be very challenging for individuals with autism for a variety of reasons. Whether dealing with sack lunches or cafeteria lines at school or work, people with autism must consider special dietary needs, food allergies and sensitivities, and the perfect match of routine and variety. It is counterproductive to use lunchtime at school or work as an opportunity to introduce new foods or to try to provide balanced nutrition if, in fact, that perfectly packed lunch ends up in the trash can.

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ROUTINE + VARIETY. Sometimes our friends with autism thrive on routine and strongly resist change. Although we might be bored eating the same type of sandwich every single day, we need to respect the preferences of others. One way to add a little variety while still maintaining a standard, predictable menu is to have a regular “Lunch for the Day” for each day of the week. For example, every Monday a youngster opens his lunch box to predictably find his favorite sandwich along with pretzels and carrot sticks. Then every Tuesday, he finds his usual crunchy chips, red and green apple slices, and mozzarella cheese sticks. On Wednesdays, he walks through the lunch line because he loves the school’s Wednesday fare of pizza and side dishes. And so on – with a regular, predictable lunch menu for each day of the week.

DIETARY CONSIDERATIONS. Some individuals with autism have significant food allergies or food sensitivities, requiring close monitoring of every morsel of food that enters their mouth. In that case, the only option is to send a pre-packed brown bag lunch to school or work every day. Remember that the goal is to make the lunch process simple for all involved, so stick with simple, tasty, easy to pack, easy to eat, preferred foods for the lunch meal. Don’t worry about packing a “regular” sack lunch. Instead, pack foods you know your friend will eat eagerly while at the same time meeting all dietary restrictions and picky food preferences. So, for example, one mom packs a lunch for her elementary-aged daughter who has a very limited repertoire of foods she will tolerate. The rather unusual lunch menu includes the same foods every day: gluten-free pretzels, an apple or pear, some mini-carrots or thin celery sticks, and finger-sandwiches with gluten free bread or crackers spread with her daughter’s favorite combination of catsup and raisins. Mom doesn’t worry about packing a balanced diet – she can make up for the protein and other nutrients at lunch, supper, and snack. Mom also doesn’t worry about the fact that her daughter eats unusual combinations of food or that she eats the same foods every day. Those are common characteristic of autism, and the youngster would simply refuse to eat if mom packed a substitute for one of her favorite foods.

We welcome you to the conversation. Share your experiences or ideas about packing lunch for school or work. Just click on the comments button or send an e-mail to talk@FAQautism.com.

NOTE TO READERS AND LISTENERS: 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. Feel free to send me an email with your thoughts or challenging situations or innovative solution. Send email to talk@FAQautism.com And don’t forget to check out our website for a wealth of ideas and a glimpse into the world of autism. http://FAQautism.com

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