If it still sells...don't change it!

 My latest meme…

And if you think this “NEW” recipe has the SAME GREAT TASTE…you would BE WRONG!!! 

You often read about children with autism being “picky” eaters. Picky sounds so negative so I prefer to think of Riley as a “particular” eater.

Picky is defined as “extremely fussy”. 

Fussy is defined as “hard to satisfy or please; a fussy eater”. 

Particular is defined as “exceptionally selective, attentive or exacting; to be particular about one’s food”. OK so this definition is number 7 on the list but it actually does refer to food in the description.

“Exceptionally selective”...Yup, that is definitely an accurate description of Riley’s eating habits.

Have you ever heard of a “supertaster”??  I had not until about 5 years ago even though it was a term coined in the early 1990’s.

“A supertaster is a person who experiences the sense of taste with far greater intensity than average, with some studies showing an increased sensitivity to bitter tastes. It may be a cause of selective eating.”  ~Wikipedia

As with “supertasters”, individuals with autism may have sensory issues towards certain foods that are hard to pinpoint especially in cases where communication is a challenge.

When Riley was little, the minutest change in taste/appearance (even the packaging) of a preferred food could trigger a meltdown for him and a need for copious amounts of alcohol for me. With an already limited diet, decreasing by even one food item was stressful.

I posted this meme on Facebook and was touched by the number of offers to help track down boxes of the “original recipe” Lipton’s Chicken Noodle Soup. Trust me…10 years ago I would’ve jumped on your kind offers.

While I still gasp and my heart may miss a beat (due to PTAD aka post traumatic autism disorder) when I notice “something different”, I don't immediately go into full blown panic mode anymore. Why??  Maybe it's age and maturity on my part. Hmmmm...I doubt that. Perhaps it's because I have figured out the secret to Riley World. Definitely not. Probably more like I am old and tired. 

I believe the real reason is that Riley has aged and matured and is now able to cope/manage changes without the tears and screams of frustration from his younger years. 

Sure, there is still a lot of gagging/dry-heaving but hey…one thing at a time right???

 

 

Face Masks

I posted this pic of Riley on Facebook because he had earned enough money to go buy a DVD and wore a mask like the Rock Star that he is. 

Now I will admit that I have not always worn a mask. In the beginning, it was because I never left the house, social distancing was possible when I did and, unless you made one, disposable masks were nowhere to be found.  Sewing is definitely not a strength of mine but I did manage to make this “No Sew” face mask. 

Now that we are entering into Phase 3, there are more and more people out there so social distancing has become a lot harder. So yes, I wear a mask whenever I need to go out in public.

Disposable masks are readily available at the moment and I find them more comfortable than my “No Sew” version. If you are like me and have wondered if there is a proper way to wear these disposable masks (because the instructions on the box don’t mention a right or wrong “side”)…..there is. Thanks to our niece (who is a Co-Associate Director of a Nursing Undergrad Program back east...so she knows what she is talking about) mentioned “you want your mask to vent down”. I was smart enough to realize the edge with a “wire” (so you can pinch around your nose) was the top. Go me.

So, if you have the disposable masks that have white on one side and blue on the other…the blue side should face out. Like so…

 If the mask is the same colour on both sides, the “vents” (pleats) should face down.

Do NOT be the person who wears their mask like this…you look like a loser.  

However, the ultimate loser…..looks like this…

Here’s a good video by Bill Nye on Why We Should be Wearing Masks in Public:

As our wonderful Dr. Bonnie Henry would say:  "Be Kind; Be Calm; Be Safe."