For some individuals on the autism spectrum, difficulties with eating and drinking could mean that they benefit from mealtime support.
Children and adults on the autism spectrum can sometimes experience difficulties with eating and drinking. These difficulties can include not liking some foods, finding it hard to accept new foods, disliking a variety of different textures, and not getting enough nutrition.
This can mean having a limited diet which can, in turn, lead to other health and wellbeing issues.
Mealtime support is designed to support autistic individuals who have a range of mealtime issues. It considers the impact different factors may be having on an individual’s eating and drinking, and develops and implements appropriate personalised therapies to address them.
How can I benefit from a mealtime assessment?
A mealtime assessment will usually be undertaken by Autism SA Speech Pathologists and Occupational Therapists who work collaboratively to assess and identify needs in areas such as:
Oral motor development and skills
The phases of swallowing
Sensory processing influences
Food selectivity and volume
Independence skills
Posture and motor skills impacting on positioning, and
Environmental impacts.
In addition to an assessment of the above skills, an Autism SA mealtime assessment will provide a comprehensive report, recommendations, plans, strategies and more.
A further outcome of a multidisciplinary mealtime assessment may include a recommendation of mealtime therapy or other strategies.
How can I benefit from mealtime therapy?
Mealtime therapy is designed to support autistic individuals who have a range of mealtime issues. It considers the impact different factors may be having on an individual’s eating and drinking, and develops and implements appropriate personalised therapies to address them.
Our team focus on identifying and individual’s desires, setting goals and supporting a person to achieve these goals to enhance quality of life.
Early years
Mealtime therapy in the early years can be provided 1:1 or within a group setting (if appropriate). It typically will target food play and the introduction of new foods by using the Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS)Steps to Eating™ approach.
School years
School years children can be engaged in mealtime group therapy or 1:1 mealtime therapy. Resistance to and around foods is addressed by exploring and experimenting with foods in the manner of a scientist, usingapproaches from the evidence-based Food Scientist™ approach.
School leavers and adults
A speech pathologist or occupational therapist can provide mealtime therapy for adults in sessions designed to target independence skills associated with mealtimes, such as food and meal preparation, or cooking. Adults can also engage in a mealtime therapy group with similarly aged adults who have aninterest in cooking and mealtimes.
How can I access the service?
To register your interest in an assessment please fill out the form below.
For more information about supports and services at Autism SA please contact us on 1300 288 476 or email at contactus@autismsa.org.au
Autism SA is accredited and registered as a provider through the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA). This means that you can pay for services at Autism SA with your NDIS funding, or you may pay yourself, through fee for service.
Frequently asked questions
How can I get a referral for a mealtime assessment?
The following people and professionals are able to make a direct referral to have a mealtime assessment with one of Autism SA’s occupational therapists or speech pathologists:
Individuals – self referral
Parents/carers
General Practitioners
Child Health Nurses
Other health professionals
Childcare workers, kindergarten and school teachers, and
Community health organisations.
What funding options are available?
Autism SA is accredited and registered as a provider through the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA).
Mealtime support can also be provided through a Fee for service arrangement.
