Nourishing Autism

Is your child afraid of trying new foods, but will put just about anything else in their mouth like rocks, dirt, paper, and play-doh?

Your child could be trying to tell you something more. In this episode, I will be giving you 3 reasons that your child with autism could be eating non-food items!

• How craving sensory input could trigger your child to eat non-food items

• Developmental stages and their correlation with oral sensations

• Defining pica and what this could mean for potential nutrient deficiencies

• Join the Autism Nutrition Library

• Follow @AutismDietitian on Instagram

• Learn more about pica here

We are taking off this week for you to enjoy more time with your family and friends! For Thanksgiving resources, check out last week's episode for tips for a stress-free holiday.

If you have been waiting to join the Autism Nutrition Library, now is the time! Use the code GIVETHANKS-20 for 20% off the ANL.When you join the Autism Nutrition Library you get instant access to:

• • Kid friendly recipes that meet your child's sensory preferences and nutrition needs
  • A member's only community form to connect with other like minded parents (and me!)
  • Information on conditions such as Constipation, the Gluten-Free/Dairy-Free Diet, Supplements, Leaky Gut Syndrome, PANS/PANDAS and more - in relation to autism and nutrition
  • … and so much more

It's the season of Thanksgiving, and along with the excitement can come a feeling of uncertainty if you have a child on the spectrum.

This could be for a variety of reasons such as a change in schedule, new foods, new people, and other variations in the day that could change your child's regular routine. Tune in as I give my top six tips for navigating and preparing for a stress-free Thanksgiving!

• How to navigate trying new foods on Thanksgiving days

• Preparing a safe place for your child

• Making Thanksgiving about more than food

• Join the Autism Nutrition Library

• Follow @AutismDietitian on Instagram

Are you wondering how exactly I became the Autism Dietitian?

While there is no autism nutrition certification, there are definitely avenues that you can take to educate and cultivate your knowledge. I will be sharing about my journey through college, my career, and the resources that I used to get to where I am today!

• The importance of educating healthcare providers on autism

• My personal story, and what inspired me most in the field

• How I took the leap to start my private practice

• Join the Autism Nutrition Library

• Follow @AutismDietitian on Instagram

Is the gluten-free diet right for your child with autism?

If your child is on the autism spectrum it is almost inevitable to not hear about going gluten-free. While the topic of gluten allergies, sensitivities, and intolerances is vast, there is a lot of research that supports going gluten-free in children with autism.

Listen along as I dig further into the topic of going gluten-free, and how it may or may not be for your child!

• What does the research say about gluten-free diets for children on the autism spectrum?

• Different types of gluten allergies and sensitivities

• Deciding if the gluten-free diet is right for your child

• Join the Autism Nutrition Library

• Follow @AutismDietitian on Instagram

Do you feel like your child is getting swept under the "autism rug"?

On today's episode, Brittyn is digging deeper into what it means to advocate for your child's needs. There are a lot of symptoms that are commonly associated with autism, but does that mean that they're normal?

Each of your child's symptoms deserves attention, and a specialist to help you dig deeper. Learn how to not let it get swept under the rug!

• Common misconceptions about autism "symptoms"

• What is the "autism rug"

• Questions you should be asking your healthcare provider

• Learning to advocate for your child's specific needs

• Join the Autism Nutrition Library

• Follow @AutismDietitian on Instagram

Special events almost always revolve around food and they're often feel good foods like cake, candy, and ice cream. While these taste delicious, they're not necessarily foods that aren't going to improve your nutrition or help your child feel their best, which is what I'm all about. Helping your kids feel their best so that they can reach their full potential. Let's explore preparing for the holidays and finding alternatives that your kids enjoy and are more nutritious!

• Exploring the balancing act of food and experience at special events and holidays

• A few different options to consider for upcoming events to set you up for success

• Ideas for "better" candy and other ideas for non-candy and non-food treats your child can enjoy

• Communicating with your child's team and setting expectations

• [Round Up] "Cleaner" Halloween Candy

• [Round Up] Halloween Treats That Aren't Candy

• Join the Autism Nutrition Library

• Follow @AutismDietitian on Instagram

Have you ever wondered how to balance your child's plate with autism? In this episode, we break down how to balance your child's plate and how this can help with mood, focus, and energy levels. We also discuss a common reason for mid-morning or mid-afternoon crashes in school and how to resolve it.

• 2 reasons why balancing your child's plate is important

• How to balance a plate

• The reason for mid-morning or mid-afternoon crashes in school

• Join the Autism Nutrition Library

• Follow @AutismDietitian on Instagram

• Reducing overwhelm when getting started with nutrition for autism
• The basics to prioritize when starting with dietary changes
• An exercise for you to prioritize the changes you'd like to make for your child

• Join the Autism Nutrition Library
• Follow @AutismDietitian on Instagram

Did you know up to 90% of parents with children on the spectrum report picky eating? In this episode, we unpack why picky eating is so common in autism as well as resources to support you as you work to expand your child's diet.

• Why picky eating is so common in autism

• Underlying reasons for picky eating you might be missing

• Research studies about picky eating and autism

• The best kind of feeding therapy for autism & sensory processing difficulties

• Join the Autism Nutrition Library

• Follow @AutismDietitian on Instagram

• The SOS Approach to Feeding

  • Locate an SOS Therapist

• My Nourishing Autism Method Group Program