You lovingly packed the lunch. Cut the crusts, added a note, even include a fancy snack you swore they’d love. And yet, the lunchbox comes back untouched. Thermos full. Note still folded. You ask yourself, Why is my neurodivergent kid not eating at school? If this is happening on repeat, you’re not alone—and no, it’s not because your kid is “just picky.” For many children, especially those who are neurodivergent, there are a lot of invisible barriers to eating at school. Medication side effects, sensory overload, social anxiety, even the structure of lunchtime itself can all get in the way. Let’s unpack why it’s happening—and what you can actually do about it. Why Isn’t My Kid Eating at School? It’s More Than Just “Picky Eating” Appetite-Suppressing Meds Make Food Feel Like a Chore Stimulant medications like Adderall, Ritalin, and Vyvanse are commonly prescribed for ADHD and other conditions, but they…
Brace yourselves parents, we’re all back at school! While most of us parents are (understandably) ecstatic to have some time for ourselves, the nightmare of what to pack for their school lunch keeps buzzing around our head like the yellow jackets this season. If you have a picky eater like mine, it gets harder and harder thinking of new and healthy snacks to pack five days a week. Here are 8 easy school lunch ideas for your picky eating Kindergartener. These worked for us, so hopefully you can take some inspiration from them! Sweet Potato Fries Kids love French fries, so I thought I would develop a healthier version. You can cut up the potatoes a night prior, and just air fry them with a drizzle of olive oil, and they are ready to go. Letting them completely cool off before packing them in their lunch box will prevent them…