How frustrating is it that foods like strawberry pop tarts and cherry lollipops are fruit only in name? I’ve worked with a bunch of kids who think they’re eating fruit! While that’s nowhere close to being the case, with some simple bridges it’s not far off from where they can eventually go. This chain focuses on strawberry flavor paired with a plain bread-like pastry. Flavor is the most consistent quality carried from food to food, but it’s no hard to find consistent rectangle shapes as well. Remember that small changes are always best. I also like to serve the new and preferred foods together (just a small taste of the new one) to highlight their similarities. It also communicates that you’re not eliminating preferred foods, just expanding to new ones. What’s your child’s favorite pop tart flavor? For more ideas on how to expand your child’s diet, grab the FREE tip guide – linked in bio! . . ⠀⠀ . . . . . #autism #asd #autismnutrition #pickyeaters #fussyeaters #autismspectrumdisorder #spd #autismfoodrules #sensoryseeker #sensoryprocessingdisorder #pickyeatingtips #autismnutritionist #arfid #pickyeaterproblems #autismdiet #sensorykid #autismfoodrules #strawberries #poptarts

Whose child eats the same menu every single day? Your child NEEDS to eat, so you always serve food you KNOW they will eat. This is so important. But it also keeps your child in the picky eating cycle. It send the message that this is all they have to eat and all you know they will eat any way. It also doesn’t make room for new food. This week I challenge you to CHANGE UP the menu! Try serving a different menu every day of the week. If you have limited options, this can be as small as changing the presentation or serving breakfast for dinner. Ideally, you will get to the point where you are not serving the same food 2 days in a row (I make exceptions for fruits and veggies!). For tons more tips and a clear plan on how I work with clients, get a copy of my ebook. Link in bio! . . . . . . #autism #asd #autismnutrition #pickyeaters #fussyeaters #autismspectrumdisorder #spd #autismfoodrules #sensoryseeker #sensoryprocessingdisorder #pickyeatingtips #autismnutritionist #arfid #pickyeaterproblems #autismdiet #sensorykid #autismfoodrules #pizza

Carrots! I’ve been getting so many carrot bridging requests lately! This bridge is all about TEXTURE and TASTE. To keep LOOK consistent, I recommend cutting the new veggies into carrot-shaped sticks. Most grocery stores do carry turnips, jicama, and kohlrabi. They’re all mild so don’t let the crazy names fool you! Fun fact! Did you know I really disliked raw carrots when I was little? I LOVE all of these veggies now ☺️ Grab your FREE guide in bio for more tips to help your picky eater! . . . . . #autism #autismismysuperpower #asd #autismnutrition #autismparent #autismfamily #pickyeaters #autismfoodrules #autismspectrumdisorder #spd #sensoryprocessingdisorder #pickyeatingtips #feedingtherapy #autismnutritionist #arfid #pickyeaterproblems #autismdiet #sensorykid #carrots #extremepickyeater

The prospect of eating a new food can be scary. That’s why you so often hear NO when you offer a new food to your extremely picky eater (or why you see the meltdown, food thrown on the floor, etc!). That is totally NORMAL. But it doesn’t have to be permanent. Your child may not be ready to eat YET. I know that can be frustrating for you both. The next time your child refuses a new food, instead of simply taking it away, try changing the ask. Can they play with it instead? Play is a lot more fun and a lot easier than eating. Most importantly, it helps PREPARE your child to eventually eat. If you’re looking for more tips to help your picky eater, download my FREE tip sheet. Link in bio! . . . . . . #autism #asd #autismnutrition #pickyeaters #fussyeaters #autismspectrumdisorder #spd #autismfoodrules #sensoryseeker #sensoryprocessingdisorder #pickyeatingtips #autismnutritionist #arfid #pickyeaterproblems #autismdiet #sensorykid #autismfoodrules #playwithyourfood

Meet Ryan: "Today was my 18-year-old son Ryan’s interview for the My Place Program at @kutztownu. The My Place Program provides support services to students on the autism spectrum. Ryan spent an hour with the program director checking out campus and the sensory room (which he found very soothing) while I had a parent interview with the Director of Disability Services. During my interview, there was a moment when the director had to hand me a tissue as my eyes began to well up. In that moment she probably assumed I was overwhelmed by the emotions that most moms have at the thought of their bird leaving the nest…worry if they are ready, concern if you have prepared them well enough and the joyful heartache that comes with them flying away without you. Yes, those feelings will come but at that moment, it was none of them. The feeling that overcame me and began to spill down my cheeks was sheer gratitude. That all of this was even a possibility. There was a time, a few short decades ago, mothers were told they were to blame for their child’s autism and that the best thing for their child was institutionalization. There was no discussions of majors, careers, sensory rooms, note-taking accommodations, extended testing time or specialized diets to help their child be successful in college. So yeah, there were tears today, but, they were not for Ryan or for me. They were for those who came before us. The mothers and fathers who never stopped believing and the sons and daughters who never stopped dreaming so that one day, my son and I could dream and believe too. There will be many emotions in the months to come, but, today the only emotion that prevailed was gratitude. And Ryan felt equally grateful that a local pizza shop has slices as big as his arm." -Ryan's Mother.

Meet Angel: "Angel Mateo was diagnosed with autism at 18 months and has been receiving early intervention ever since. I started to notice when he was 12 months and could not babble. At the moment he can only say mama and days are sometimes very challenging. He has a lot of sensory issues and spinning objects helps to calm him down. Overstimulation upsets him and he needs constant calming and reassurance. He loves to dance, look at books and play with his 3-year-old brother. I have hope that days will be better and brighter and that with the support of my family he will overcome these challenges." - Angel’s Mom, @adrisoto_29

Meet Jason: "I am an artist who specializes in ocean life and landscape acrylic paintings. I have been painting since graduating from high school in 1994. I am from Louisville, KY. I am autistic and feel that this has helped with developing my skills as an artist. My journey with my art and my autism has helped me to be more outgoing and dealing with people on a daily basis. It helped me to improve my social skills." - Jason Mitchell

Meet Tsar: "Tsar was diagnosed just before he turned 3. He is very interested in characters, especially Lotso from @toystory. He has a lot of anxiety and when he plays with his plushies he gets very calm. He is a very fashionable boy and loves dressing up. Music is also a very big part of Tsar. He's been struggling with sleeping patterns so I've been trying to get him to free play every day and be outside more often to get his energy out. He started speaking words when he was 5, but it has improved a lot since then. Now he's 9 and he can rap and sing full songs." -Tsar's Mom, @lifewithtsar

Continuing on in the sharing of our past nomination giveaway, hear what Sheila had to say... "I am nominating my husband Joseph Edwards. We were married 4 years ago and he’s filled a hole in our lives that we didn’t know existed. He cooks separate meals for special diets, helps with vitamins and IEP meetings, and brainstorms about behaviors. He attends workshops and conferences, is a strong role model, and spends quality time with each child. I have a partner who thinks through problems with me and helps to fix them. He has come into our lives and made everything better. We couldn’t be more proud to have him as a part of our family." Joseph, what an inspiration for many that you are. Keep up the wonderful job as a full time superhero!!! P.S. Those 3 smiles #AHA #Autism #ASD #AutismHope #AutismHopeAlliance #Caregiver #CareGivers #AutismDad #AutismDads #AutismFamily #AutismFamilies #AutismMom #AutismMoms #Hope # AutismAwareness

We are continuing to share the inspiring nomination entries, read what Elisabeth had to say about her sons superhero Carol... "I would like to nominate Carol Buttrick. She is a woman that I have known for the past 10 years, who has been in making a difference in autistic children’s lives. I first met her when we work together as ABA therapists. Carol was always calm, collected and encouraging with the kiddos even when maladaptive behaviors were displayed. More recently, my autistic son had the privilege of being in her classroom for two years, where she was a paraeducator. It made such a huge difference in his school year. She knew how to keep him calm and what he liked and how to help him shine. She is a quiet and very humble woman but to my family and the ones who have been blessed by her, she is a hero! Thank you so much for honoring people who make a big difference in our special kids lives" This is just one of the many nominations we will be continuing to share. Lets hear it for Carol, what a superhero! #Autism #Hope #AutismHope #AutismHopeAlliance #Hope #ASD #CareGivers #AutismMom #AutismDad #AutismFamily #Teacher

We are excited to announce the launch of our new Free Sample Program this week! If you signed up previously, please be on the lookout for an email or possible multiple emails from our partners regarding free products. You must reply and confirm with them once you receive the email or you will not receive the free products. If you haven't signed up yet and would like to, type this link into your browser... http://bit.ly/samplesurvey200 #Autism #AHA #Hope #AutismHope #AutismHopeAlliance #CompaniesThatCare #ASD #AutismMoms #AutismDads #AutismFamily #AutismMoms #AutismDads #AutismFamilies

💡Learn Something New💡 The Benefits of Camel Milk - Christina Adams Did we say Camels a milk?!?! Check out the video in our education section, the link is in our bio🐪 🥛 🐪 . . . . . . . #autismmom #autismfamily #autismhope #autismdad #autism #aha #hope #asd #autismhopealliance #camel #camelmilk #camelsmilk #dairyfree #autismmoms #autismdads #christinaadams #camelcrazy