Nutrition in Children with Complex or Special Needs

Should you prioritize nutrition in a child with so many other needs? How do you know what to prioritize for your child when there is so much going on? This is an important question when working with children. Children with complex or special needs require very intentional parenting to meet their needs, and their nutrition needs are no different.

Children, like any human (!) are complex. A child might be dealing with bullying in school and also receive a new diagnosis of prediabetes. A child may struggle academically due to a learning disability and also be a picky eater. A child can have autism and behavioral challenges and also have obesity. Parents often lean towards dealing with the most pressing problems, and there seems not to be time to work on the problems with more delayed consequences. That often leads to nutrition concerns being addressed inadequately.

How to Manage Nutrition in Children with Complex or Special Needs

The Child is is Not Just a List of Challenges

Remember that your child is a complicated human just like any adult is. All the aspects of your child--the challenges and the easier parts--combine to make up your wonderful and unique child. Try to understand how each challenge plays into the others, and how they affect your child on a daily basis. The interrelatedness of your child's challenges might give you clues on how to address your child's needs and not each concern separately.

One Intervention Can Address Multiple Challenges

In many cases, a single intervention can target more than one concern. An occupational therapist who works with your child on handwriting may also be able to address the sensory issues leading to her picky eating. A child with autism who receives applied behavior analysis interventions can use that time at the gym in a way that addresses social and physical activity goals. A therapist who works with a child for his anxiety may also be able to address how that anxiety affects the child's bingeing behaviors.

It Requires a Lot of Dedication

Taking care of children is not meant to be easy. It is time consuming, and more importantly, requires a lot of mental energy from parents. Understand that. Don't think you are doing it wrong if it is hard. You

Call in Supports

You do not need to do this all on your own! Get your child the therapies she needs. Some kids benefit from occupational therapy, speech therapy, or physical therapy. Other kids need behavioral therapy interventions. Parents also can be empowered to parent their child better when they seek advice from child psychologists or other parenting experts. Get personalized advice from a registered dietitian who works with children. Ask your pediatrician for advice, referrals, and direction. Enlist other caregivers for support in your child's behavioral changes. Find support from peers who have children with complex needs. There are in-person support groups, virtual live support groups, and groups on various social media platforms.