Don’t Let Food Fears Ruin the Trip: Travel Planning for Autistic Kids

By Sofa Ibrahim


Is this you?

You’re excited about the trip… but deep down, you’re worried.

  • What if there’s nothing your child will eat?

  • What if they flat-out refuse every meal, and you’re stuck without options?

  • What happens when the one store that carries their go-to snack is closed — and they’re melting down with hunger?

Traveling with a picky eater is tough. But when your child is also autistic, food fears can take over the entire experience. Suddenly, every mealtime becomes a source of stress — not joy.

When a Diagnosis Changes Everything

I went through this mental drama soon after I learned that my children have autism.

What once seemed like a typical picky eating phase suddenly became something bigger: “He’s not eating because he has autism.”

To some extent, that’s true. Autism can affect a child’s appetite and their relationship with food. But when you have a highly functioning child, it’s not black and white. Sometimes it’s autism at play — other times, it’s just a kid being a kid. It can depend on the time of day, their mood, or where they are developmentally.

Before I even knew my son was autistic, I already had a system. I paid attention to his favorite foods and made sure he always had access to them. His weight was borderline, and the pediatrician stressed how important it was for him to eat more — so I followed those guidelines closely. I did what I had to do.

But when we got the diagnosis, it changed my mindset completely. Suddenly, food wasn’t just about nutrition — it was about understanding, patience, and navigating something much deeper.

Why Eating Is So Different for Autistic Children

Children on the spectrum often have a very different relationship with food — especially when it comes to trying something new. It’s not just about taste. Their sensory systems are constantly filtering information, and food can be overwhelming on many levels:

  • Sight – The color or shape might look “wrong”

  • Smell – Too strong, too unfamiliar, or just “off”

  • Touch – Mushy, crunchy, slimy, or gritty textures may feel intolerable

  • Taste – Even mild flavors can be rejected

  • Temperature – Too hot, too cold, or inconsistent with what they expect

  • Presentation & Serving Size – Even how food is arranged can cause rejection

Taste is rarely just taste. For many autistic children, it’s a complex combination of texture, mouthfeel, and ease of chewing. Some are hypersensitive (a slight spice is too much), while others are under-sensitive and need strong flavors to register what they’re eating.

And it’s not just the food — it’s the environment too. A noisy restaurant, unfamiliar smells, or a crowd can be overwhelming. Even if the food is technically “acceptable,” the setting might not be.

A lot is going on behind a simple “no thanks.” And if you’re traveling and can’t control these variables? That’s when the anxiety builds — for both your child and you.

Helping My Child Be More Open to New Foods — One Step at a Time

One strategy that’s worked well for us is called the Ladder Approach — a gentle, step-by-step method to help children with autism become more open to trying new foods.

It’s based on the SOS (Sequential Oral Sensory) Feeding Method created by Dr. Kay Toomey and focuses on reducing food-related anxiety through gradual exposure.

Steps to Eating (The “Ladder Approach”)



  1. Tolerate the food being nearby – Just having the food in the same room is the first step.

  2. Look at or interact with it – Use a utensil to move it or observe it without touching.

  3. Smell the food – Becoming comfortable with the scent is progress.

  4. Touch the food – Start with hands, then lips or cheeks.

  5. Taste the food – A lick or tiny nibble is enough. Spitting it out is okay at this stage.

  6. Chew and swallow – The final step. It may take weeks or months to reach — and that’s okay.

Key Principles

  • No pressure — Let your child move at their own pace.

  • Celebrate small wins — Every step forward counts.

  • Make food playful — Sensory exploration through texture, color, or art.

  • Food chaining — Start with familiar foods and make small changes.

  • Positive mealtimes — Consistent, calm environments support progress.

You can also work with professionals like Occupational therapists, ABA therapists, speech-language pathologists, or even play/art therapists to support this approach.

Real-Life Strategies That Work for My Family



These additional strategies have made a big difference in how my son approaches food — especially before and during travel:

  • Use food visuals. Flip through magazines or picture books with food images. Visual learners respond well to this.

  • Go to the supermarket together. It’s a natural, low-pressure way to explore food and spark curiosity.

  • Read the menu aloud. I took my son to Mitsuwa, a Japanese restaurant with plastic food displays. That’s where he tried rice with chicken curry for the first time — a major win!

  • Introduce local foods before your trip. For example, try mild cheeses at home before traveling to France.

  • Watch their hunger rhythms. After travel, kids may take time to feel hungry again. My youngest always needs more time to adjust after long flights.

  • Pack smart:

    • Ziplock bags and small containers for leftovers

    • Scissors to cut food into bite-size pieces

    • Wet wipes — always!

  • Google local supermarkets before your trip. Knowing what’s available helps you plan meals or transitions.

  • Bring a few favorite foods from home. I packed a couple cans of my son’s preferred tuna and turkey beans from Trader Joe’s — just enough to bridge the gap until he found something local he liked.

Final Thoughts — Why Preparation Matters

I know this is a lot to take in — and honestly, it is. But when you're planning to travel with a child who has special needs, especially to a country like France with unfamiliar food and culture, preparation makes all the difference.

That’s why I’m sharing this with you — so you can travel with confidence, knowing you’ve set your child up for success.

If this was helpful, be sure to check out my other posts:

  • [Traveling on a Plane with Children on the Spectrum]

  • [Checklist for Picky Eaters Who Travel]

  • [What to Eat in France: A Guide for Families with Dietary Restrictions]

Need Help Planning a Trip for Your Family?

As a travel planner and a parent who’s been through it, I understand the challenges — and I’m here to help.

Let me help you plan a trip that works for your whole family — picky eater, sensory needs, and all. Reach out today and let’s get started.

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