Are you raising a crunch lover? I mostly meet kids who LOVE crunchy foods like chips and crackers and really struggle with smooth and soft textures like yogurt. Often, this is a sensory thing, so I encourage repeated exposure, especially getting hands on. In addition, smart pairings like making a sandwich or using a dip with a preferred food go a long way. I’m all about baby steps so take things slow and just use a tiny bit of new food at a time. Once your child is tolerating a small amount of a soft food, they can move on to eating more. Download my FREE guide linked in bio for more easy tips! . . . . . #autism #autismismysuperpower #asd #autismnutrition #apples #pickyeaters #arfid #autismspectrumdisorder #spd #autismawareness #severepickyeating #sensoryprocessingdisorder #pickyeatingtips #feedingtherapy #autismnutritionist #pickyeaterproblems #autismdiet #crunchyfoods

Ready for a super easy picky eating tip? It’s perfect for social distancing times when you’re noshing on the same foods on repeat. Change up the way you serve your kids food! In other words, don’t serve the same food the same way over and over. Take apples - slice them, dice them, cut in wedges or in half, serve them whole, even try apple sauce. By doing this, you are training your child to be more flexible with food. Even though they’re eating the same food over and over, they’re still experiencing variety. Give it a try! What’s your child’s favorite food and how can you change up how you’re serving it? Download my FREE guide linked in bio for more easy tips! . . . . . #autism #autismismysuperpower #asd #autismnutrition #apples #pickyeaters #arfid #autismspectrumdisorder #spd #autismawareness #severepickyeating #sensoryprocessingdisorder #pickyeatingtips #feedingtherapy #autismnutritionist #pickyeaterproblems #autismdiet #ipreview via @preview.app

I’ve found many kids with eating difficulties have some anxiety trying new foods. They can’t imagine what the food will taste, smell, or feel like. And that’s scary! When a child avoids simple interactions like touching or looking at a new food - or even when they’re gearing up to taste it - I find it’s helpful to describe the food’s sensory properties. You can demonstrate and lead the conversation or they can participate as they’re comfortable. Make sure you keep your descriptions neutral. Describe the color, shape, and taste objectively. Try to avoid words like “yummy” or “good”. These descriptions can help a fearful child learn what to expect when they’re finally ready to interact. Want more easy but GENIUS ideas to transform your fussy eater into a happier one? Grab a copy of my ebook Austim Food Rules linked in my bio (it’s not just for kids with ASD!). . . . . . #autism #autismismysuperpower #autismadvocate #asd #autismnutrition #autismparent #pickyeaters #autismspectrumdisorder #spd #autismawareness #severepickyeating #sensoryprocessingdisorder #pickyeatingtips #feedingtherapy #autismnutritionist #pickyeaterproblems #autismdiet #arfid

Fun makes a big difference when we’re encouraging picky eaters to step outside of their comfort zone. Picky eaters often know they don’t want to eat....but they might be inclined to play or get silly. Which can lead to eating! Making encounters with food fun increases the chance that your child will eat. So next time you’re introducing something new, instead of encouraging they take a bite, encourage them to have some fun! Want more easy but GENIUS ideas to transform your fussy eater into a happier one? Grab a copy of my ebook Austim Food Rules linked in my bio (it’s not just for kids with ASD!). . . . . . #autism #autismismysuperpower #autismadvocate #asd #autismnutrition #autismparent #pickyeaters #autismspectrumdisorder #spd #autismawareness #severepickyeating #sensoryprocessingdisorder #pickyeatingtips #feedingtherapy #autismnutritionist #pickyeaterproblems #autismdiet #arfid

Meet Benjamin: "Benjamin (right) was diagnosed with autism when he was 2 years old. He’s now 7 years old and, with support from TA’s, attends mainstream primary school. He and his brother James, (left) have adapted brilliantly to homeschooling and their new routine. Today we’ve been learning about primary colors, volcanoes, and coding. Benjamin loves school and was emotional, to begin with when the school closed. We created a timetable for homeschooling with 4 x 25 min long lessons. The lessons vary from academic subjects (maths, reading, spellings, etc) to ICT, baking, art & crafts, and gardening. Benjamin thrives when there’s routine and he knows what’s happening now and next. He’s adapted to homeschooling really quickly and enjoying the interactive lessons. As a family, we celebrate Benjamin’s differences and adjust to his needs. His little brother is neurotypical and idolizes his big brother, he even says he has 'pretend autism' as he wants to be just like his big brother." -Naomi, Benjamin's Mother. . For updates, resources, and information regarding #SocialDistancing and #COVID19 and the autism community see our COVID 19 highlight or the link in our bio.

April is World Autism Month! This year we're asking you to embark on a weekly Kindness Quest to help us make 2020 the Year of Kindness and help create a kinder, more inclusive world for autistic people. Your kindness quest this week is to spread understanding and acceptance for people with autism. Swipe or click the link in our bio to learn how. . Stay tuned every Monday this April to learn the Kindness Quest of the week.  #LightItUpBlue?? #KindnessCounts #WorldAutismMonth

Meet Hudson: "Hudson depends on school, depends on social outings, he looks forward to the daily engagement these things nourish him of. As a nonverbal child on the spectrum, the loss of constant schooling and constant therapeutic input is IMMENSE. The regression he can demonstrate can be immeasurable. But I won’t let it happen! this is hard. No one can REALLY plan for this. The mental and emotional toll. The constant feeling of am I overreacting or under-reacting. The unanswered questions that seem like they will never get answered. The constant panic of when will this end? It is all ALOT. but the worst part for me so far? The confusion I see in my children’s faces, especially Hudson's. I will swallow it all. Swallow my own fears concerns and confusion. Put my teacher hat on and my speech therapy hat on oh and OT hat, too. (Thank god I have a big head) and learn as I go. He is my main focus right now. Oh, and go on LOTS AND LOTS of neighborhood walks. Sometimes maybe even alone. Sometimes maybe even with a bottle of wine. WE WILL GET THROUGH THIS!" - Hudson's Mother, @theblockistot . For updates resources and information regarding #SocialDistancing and #COVID19 and the autism community see our COVID 19 highlight or the link in our bio.

Meet Sophie: "So my daughter Sofie usually has 25 hrs a week of aba therapy mixed with me home schooling her. She is handling all of this craziness surprisingly well. Tantrums? Yes, a few. Crying? A little. But that's life for her. She works crazy hard to navigate this world and 95% of the time she is loving life. 5% of the time she is undone by a change to her routine, big or small. And that's where I get philosophical about all this. The uncertainty you feel, the sadness you feel for missing your routine, the heightened alertness you feel right now about EVERYTHING that's something my daughter has gotten really good at coping with and consequently lives a really happy life. Before all this I've said Sofie walks around like a happy extraterrestrial tourist. She often finds what we neurotypicals want her to say or do silly and sometimes finds it seemingly impossible to execute. She observes EVERYTHING and has her own way of talking about what she sees. And so now I tell her 'Sofie's school and daddy's work needed an extra special cleaning up so no one gets sick.' I ask how she feels 'I sad. Miss my friends.,' and then she runs off to play. It's easy for me to think "oh she doesn't get it." Oh she gets it, but the world is always chaos to her. So she says "I sad," and carries on with her day, looking for her next bit of happiness. Disclaimer: this is not every autistic individual's experience with current events." -Sofie's Mother, @birdladypaints . For updates resources and information regarding #SocialDistancing and #COVID19 and the autism community see our COVID 19 highlight or the link in our bio.

CDC JUST ANNOUNCED: 1 in 54 are being diagnosed with Autism You might think: “What can I do to make a difference?” 1. Show Support and Understanding to any family that has a family member with Autism 2. Include families with Special Needs (everywhere possible) 3. Donate to an Autism Organization that makes sense to you One person can make a difference. Can we count on you to be that one person? #autism #cdc #newestnumbers

Thank you to all of our partners for their continued support during this time. Amidst all of the chaos, our kiddos need us now more than ever. . . . . . . . . . Instagram only allows 20 tags in a photo so for the ones who wouldn’t fit... @houstonenzymes @himalayausa @morningstarminerals @npswsilver #nixland, #kirkmansupplements, @nordicnaturals @lifetrientsspeak @probulin @myserenitykids @so_delicious @vitaminfriends @wickedcrisps #companiesthatcare #aha #autism #hope #autismawareness #autismhope #autismhopealliance #wereinthistogether

Lets Keep Sharing These Superhero Nominations... "Zachary's father is his BEST friend and number one supporter. Kenneth Bellamy accepts Zachary for who he is and will do everything within his power to support him. His dad takes him on vacations, goes on train rides, attends therapy sessions, throws balls together, feed ducks, and much more. Our Zachary loves his dad so much and knows he is there for him. Zachary will resort to buckling himself in his dad’s car and locking the door if he even thinks, he might have to travel without his dad. Our family could not ask for a more supportive father and friend to Zachary." Lets hear it for Kenneth 👏👏👏 #Autism #AutismDad #AutismDads #ASD #AHA #AutismHope #Hope #AutismHopeAlliance #AutismAwareness #Caregiver #Caregivers #April

❤️💪We Will Survive What's Coming, We ARE Autism Strong❤️💪 . . . . . . . . . . . . . #Autism #AutismStrong #AHA #Hope #AutismHope #ASD #AutismHopeAlliance #AutismMom #AutismMoms #AutismDad #AutismDads #AutismFamily #Strong #autismwarrior