Autism
Child & Teen Autism
Does mealtime feel overwhelming—for your child and for your family?
Maybe your child eats only a small number of foods, refuses entire food groups, or becomes distressed when a favorite food changes brands or looks different than expected. Certain textures, smells, temperatures, or even the way foods are presented may make eating incredibly challenging. You may find yourself preparing multiple meals, worrying about whether your child is getting enough nutrition, or wondering if they'll ever be willing to try something new.
If this sounds familiar, I want you to know you're not alone—and neither is your child.
Children and teens with autism often experience nutrition challenges that go far beyond "being picky." Sensory processing differences, rigid food preferences, anxiety around unfamiliar foods, gastrointestinal concerns, oral motor difficulties, medications, and changes in routine can all affect eating habits. Every child on the autism spectrum is unique, which means their nutrition care should be just as individualized.
At Kendra's Kustom Nutrition, my goal isn't to force your child to eat foods they aren't ready for or create stressful mealtime experiences. Instead, I work to understand your child's unique strengths, sensory preferences, routines, and challenges so we can create a realistic nutrition plan that supports both their health and your family's daily life.
As a Registered Dietitian, I've had the privilege of helping many children and teens with autism navigate feeding challenges, selective eating, nutrient deficiencies, and family mealtime concerns. My experience also extends beyond my professional training—I'm the parent of a teenager with Autism and ADHD. Living this journey has given me firsthand insight into both the joys and challenges that come with raising a neurodivergent child. I understand that progress isn't always linear, routines matter, sensory needs are real, and what works for one child may not work for another. By combining evidence-based nutrition care with personal understanding, my goal is to provide compassionate, practical strategies that meet your child where they are while helping make mealtimes—and everyday life—a little less stressful for your entire family.
Together, we may work on:
- Expanding food variety using a gradual, child-centered approach
- Addressing sensory sensitivities related to texture, smell, temperature, color, or appearance
- Supporting adequate nutrition despite a limited variety of accepted foods
- Identifying potential nutrient deficiencies related to selective eating
- Building balanced meals and snacks using foods your child currently enjoys
- Reducing mealtime stress and family conflict
- Increasing confidence around new foods without pressure or force
- Supporting healthy growth and development
- Creating realistic strategies for school lunches, restaurants, vacations, holidays, and other social situations
Because nutrition challenges associated with autism are often influenced by many different factors, we'll also look at the bigger picture. Gastrointestinal concerns, constipation, reflux, food allergies or intolerances, medications, sleep, anxiety, sensory processing differences, and daily routines can all influence eating behaviors. When appropriate, I'm happy to review laboratory results and collaborate with your child's pediatrician, developmental pediatrician, occupational therapist, speech-language pathologist, psychologist, behavioral therapist, gastroenterologist, feeding therapist, or other members of their healthcare team to ensure everyone is working toward the same goals.
I also believe parents deserve support throughout this journey. Many families spend years worrying about every meal, preparing multiple dinners, or feeling discouraged after trying strategy after strategy without lasting success. My role is not only to support your child's nutritional health but also to provide practical, realistic guidance that helps you feel more confident navigating mealtimes at home.
There is no one-size-fits-all nutrition plan for autism because no two children are alike. My goal isn't to change who your child is—it's to help them meet their nutrition needs, build confidence around food, and support their overall health while honoring their individual strengths, sensory needs, and developmental differences.
Whether your child has struggled with eating for years or you've recently begun noticing nutrition concerns, they deserve compassionate care that recognizes their unique needs rather than expecting them to fit into a standard approach. Together, we'll build a personalized nutrition plan that supports your child's health, encourages meaningful progress, and helps make mealtimes a more positive experience for your entire family.
