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Want to learn how to connect with a picky eater who also has been diagnosed with autism?
My guest today is Joanna Gibbs, founder and director of Sensational Tutors.
Her mission is to support children with specific educational and behavioural needs; autism, ADHD, ADD, dyslexia, sensory processing disorder (SPD), high-functioning autism (Asperger’s Syndrome), language delay, memory difficulties, focus and concentration difficulties, Down’s Syndrome, Prader-Willi Syndrome and other needs.
She is a qualified specialist teacher with a Postgraduate Certificate in Education, an undergraduate degree with honours in Linguistics and Phonetics from the University of Leeds, and a Masters’ of Education degree (with merit) in Inclusion, and Social, Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties.
In this episode, Joanna shares some of her best tips and secrets on how to help children with autism also discover a love of foods, even if they think it’s ‘yucky’.
Her special tools as well as her 20 years of experience will help you identify what you can do to support a child with autism.
You’re going to love her top tips that she shares in this episode of Kids Nutrition Podcast.
Here are some of her top tips:
- keep goals small and realistic
- the first step might just be getting your child to join you at the dining table
- encourage children to cook with you, ask them to read and follow recipes
- eat with your child so you can model positive behaviours
- demonstrate physically what you are doing so they can copy you
- Consider using a hunger and fullness scale
- the more you talk, they less children listen.
- take advantage of non-verbal communication
- consider your child’s special interests and build this into activities to help them engage with new foods
- be patient with your child but fundamentally also with your self
Want further support with a fussy eater?
You could keep having battles at the table with your child and you could keep preparing separate meals…but it will probably just keep you feeling defeated again and again.
Children with autism particularly tend to drop more and more foods from their list of safe foods, and you may be lacking a clear action plan to help them rediscover a love for these foods.
Why not join the Fussy Eating Solutions Programme? You can either join the community programme which gives you access to my secret tips and powerful strategies in on-demand video tutorials or work with me 1-2-1.
To join the community programme click here.
To work with me 1-2-1, book a free initial conversation and we can get you booked into the next clinic appointment.
About your podcast host
Bahee Van de Bor is a registered paediatric dietitian with 12 years of clinical experience at a world-renowned children’s hospital. Her practice is at Harley Street. If you need advice and support from a children’s dietitian who has over 15 years working with children, then book a discovery call first.