Asperger's syndrome is characterized by impairments in social interaction, social communication, imaginative play, and flexible thinking. Unlike some other autism-spectrum disorders, Asperger's does not include delays in cognitive or speech skills. Meal planning for a family that includes a child with this syndrome can be challenging due to his inflexible thinking and the effect of sensory sensitivity on dietary preferences. Strike a balance between good nutrition and family harmony using a combination of nutritional and behavioral strategies.
Step 1
Ask your doctor about food sensitivities or intolerance. Children may reject a food because it makes them feel unwell in a way that they cannot describe, although the reaction may not be a true allergy. Accommodating a food allergy in your family may mean serving an alternative to certain products or keeping certain ingredients out of your kitchen altogether.
Step 2
Teach children about nutrition. For some children with Asperger's syndrome, learning why a balanced diet is important and focusing on the good things it can do for your body can go a long way toward overcoming their rigid thinking about food. Help school-age children write a book of their own food rules about how they can follow nutritional guidelines.
Step 3
Make mealtimes fun and social. Start a tradition of having family members talk about their day or tell a story at dinner. Having a predictable dinner routine that is pleasant will help children with Asperger's to feel less anxious and might make them more willing to try new things.
Step 4
Expose children to new foods. Encourage children to tolerate having unfamiliar foods on the table and eventually on their dinner plate. The goal is to desensitize children to new foods so that they will eventually eat them. Many children with Asperger's are sensitive to food texture, so try a variety to see what your child likes best. For a crunchy texture, try pretzels or carrots, which are sweeter than some other vegetables. For a softer texture, try mashed potatoes or applesauce.
Step 5
Make new foods appealing by using dips such as caramel, chocolate syrup or even cake frosting for fruits and salad dressing or creamy dip for vegetables. Many children like sweet flavors or tangy flavors that disguise the unfamiliar flavor of a fruit or vegetable. Once kids are willing to eat the new food with a dip, encourage them to eat a small amount without the dip.
Step 6
Use a positive-reinforcement system. If the child has a behavior plan at school or a reward system at home for chores or other behaviors, extend it to the dinner table. Reward the child with stickers or tokens for sitting with the family at the dinner table, trying new foods or choosing healthy snacks.
Step 7
Consult a dietitian. Children with autism-spectrum disorders are at risk for eating too little food, or eating a range of food that is too limited to be healthy. If children are taking medication, it may interact with their food or give them specific nutritional needs, according to the American Dietetic Association. A dietitian who works with children can help you develop a plan for introducing new foods and supplementing your child's diet to make sure she stays healthy.
Things You'll Need
- Apples
- Caramel dip
- Carrots
- Celery
- Salad dressing
- Bread
- Tomato sauce
- Pizza dough
- Cheese
References
- CESA 7 Special Education Services; Children with Asperger's Syndrome: Characteristics/Learning Styles and Intervention Strategies; Susan Stokes
- "Early Intervention and Autism"; James Ball, Ed.D., BCBA; 2008
- "The Kid-Friendly ADHD and Autism Cookbook"; Pamela J. Compart, M.D.; 2006
- American Dietetic Association: Autism and Diet
- "Engaging Autism"; Stanley I. Greenspan; 2006
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