The Journey to a Healthy Lunch

Authors

  • Joanna Gill

Keywords:

DEIS, Lunch Scheme, Special Schools, ASD, Autism, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Meal Programme

Abstract

This article describes how, following the extension of the Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools (DEIS) free school lunch scheme to special schools, a speech and language therapist with an interest in the eating preferences of children with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) took on the project of introducing a healthy free lunch to students with ASD and intellectual disability in a special school. Liaison with parents, record keeping, Social Stories™, token systems, food trialling and food chaining were used to support students in this journey. Other eating difficulties, including poor pacing, chewing difficulties and rushed swallowing, were identified and targeted.

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Published

2021-02-18

How to Cite

Gill, J. (2021). The Journey to a Healthy Lunch. REACH: Journal of Inclusive Education in Ireland, 28, 21–28. Retrieved from https://www.reachjournal.ie/index.php/reach/article/view/55

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Section

Articles