Supporting Mealtime Success and Food Flexibility

Many professionals and parents describe common frustrations at mealtime: refusal to eat, tantrums, rigid routines, or insistence on a narrow set of familiar foods. While behavioral feeding interventions have been shown to improve food variety and reduce problematic behaviors in children with avoidant or selective feeding patterns (Bloomfield et al., 2018), not all providers have experience working on these skills. In this session, we’ll examine those typical complaints, exploring how social, cultural, and familial expectations shape mealtime interactions. We’ll use a neuro-affirming framework to learn how to distinguish which behaviors are suitable targets for behavioral intervention versus those better left untouched or accommodated. We’ll also explore typical developmental behaviors associated with mealtime versus those that might fall into the category of restrictive eating (e.g., overly controlling practices, limited food repertoire, strong insistence on sameness). Finally, we’ll review evidence-based strategies to promote positive mealtime behaviors including cooperation, reducing refusal, and tasting new foods all while prioritizing choice and assent through the process.

For more than 55 years, Ivymount has created nationally recognized programs and partnerships for people with autism and special needs as well as their families.  The goal in all our programs is to help children, students, and young adults achieve their highest level of development and independence.  In addition to creating our own education and outreach programs, Ivymount forms partnerships with other organizations and researchers, often functioning as a training site, to ensure that our innovative and intensive approach is widely disseminated and influences the larger field of special education and support services.

Visit www.ivymountoutreach.org for more information