Elizabeth Shea

What should I be aware of when trying new foods? Am I ready to change my eating patterns? How can I eat with other people? Food can come with all sorts of challenges - sensory issues, social pressure, loss of control - and so making choices about what foods to eat, and coping with mealtimes can be stressful - especially when other people are involved. If you are neurodivergent and looking to change your relationship with food, this interactive, accessible guide is the perfect companion. You might stick to the same 'safe' foods all the time, be attached to specific mealtime rituals, or struggle to know whether you are hungry or full. This guide will help you recognise the signs of avoidant eating, cope with food related anxieties and manage sensory overload, as well as the particular social stresses of communal eating. With top tips, a progress tracker, quizzes and worksheets, this is an engaging and informative resource for teens and parents alike.

Many autistic children have a restricted dietary range, and this book provides parents with advice and training on how to support them to achieve a healthier and more balanced diet. Now described as Avoidant or Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID), it is due to sensory hypersensitivity, and it can impact the child's health, their family life, and their social life. Based on successful training packages the authors provide for parents and professionals, this book enables the reader to understand restrictive eating and work with children, gradually increasing the range of food a child is able to eat. It includes 'box outs' with case studies, points of interest and action points to make this an accessible read full of tips and strategies.