“Parenting a child with autism is like being unceremoniously dumped into the middle of a war zone. The chances are good that a parent will drive him or herself crazy, come to the verge of bankruptcy, and still have a child whose disturbing behavior cannot be resolved. Most parents can ultimately accept conditions that are untreatable and will devote themselves to treating those that are treatable, but autism betrays such neat serenity prayer divisions.” This quote from Andrew Solomon’s book Far from the Tree highlights the extreme stress, anxiety and uncertainty involved in raising a child on the autism spectrum. Much of this stress and uncertainty involves identifying, understanding, and treating your own child’s unique set of challenges and behaviors.
For many parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), this journey of understanding often takes unexpected twists and turns, especially when it comes to something as fundamental as food. In the world of parenting, mealtimes are supposed to be moments of connection and nourishment and enjoyment, yet for many families raising a child with ASD, they can be sources of frustration, anxiety, headache, and heartache. Many parents with an ASD child say the food issues their child faces cause more anxiety and stress than any other symptom of autism.
As a parent of a child on the spectrum, I understand these issues all too well. I cannot tell you how many painful memories I have of tense meals with family and friends, how many hurtful comments and eye rolls I received, and how many sleepless nights I spent worried about my son’s health and well-being. People just did not understand my child’s behaviors towards and around food. Even I, his own mother, did not understand.
This book is not just about delving into the difficulties of the food challenges faced by children on the spectrum; it's about fundamentally understanding and accepting those challenges, and offering practical strategies and support to help children and parents navigate these challenges. Throughout these pages, I will delve into what lies at the core of food aversion, the unique sensory sensitivities and external stimuli that often accompany ASD and how they can impact a child's relationship with food. I will also address how food aversion impacts the families of ASD kids, and I will offer strategies for parents and kids to increase and expand an ASD child’s food selection, no matter their age, make mealtimes more peaceful and meaningful, and create a more relaxing environment around food.
