Lunch Packing for Special needs child

[mrzrich]

My DS7 PDD-NOS will be in second grade this year. For financial reasons we want to try packing his lunch. Here's the problem...what can I pack his lunch in?

He likes things like Mac and Cheese, and soup, but I'm affraid if I send him to school with a thermos type thingy, he'll lose parts of it.

I'm even worried about sending him with gladware because I'd probably never see it again.

He goes to an integrated lunchroom where he has some supervision, but I can't expect the staff to keep track of my kitchenware!

I don't want to send him with PB & J every day (Which he'll take apart and make a mess with anyway.

 

[debbiemomto4]

Is he in an intergrated class or not. If not their is usually be an aide to go with them. USually moniters will help in the beginning especially. Maybe you can go down the first day and introduce yourself and explain the problem . They really do appreciate it.
My ds is hard of hearing and most times wears a hearing aide but sometimes doesn't if he has an infection. So no one knows that he doesn't hear especially in a noisy lunch room. The lunch moniters are not told if they have disabilities or any problems so going down to let them know is always helpful both for your ds and them.
Start slow and tell him he needs to eat in his lunch bag and keep everything in there. So no matter what mess he makes the pieces do not leave the bag.
Definitely buy a few thermos in the beginning of the year and keep and eye out for Target sales - you can never find them in January!

 

[Schmeck]

Having worked in an elementary school cafeteria before spending 2 years as a 1-on-1 assistant and then 4 years as a 1-to-1 tutor, I know that there should be someone with your child that is responsible for him (and his lunch!) during the school day. He doesn't have a 1-to-1 in his IEP? Is there anything in the IEP that states who is responsible for him at lunch?

If he is not with a staff member 1-to-1 at lunch, and you don't think the staff will be able to monitor him closely enough at lunch, would it be possible to have him near a staff member that might be there helping another student?

We also tended to cluster the kids that need a bit of a hand at lunch near each other - not remove them from their table, no 'special table' (nothing to ostracize a kid!) but have them sit at one end so that a staff member can walk by easily and check on their progress, without being obvious. We did have assigned seats in the elementary school cafeteria, BTW.

You could also start a routine at home, having him pack his lunch, or unpack it, or even practice putting the containers together. Serve him a few soup or mac and cheese suppers at home with the thermos. Show him how to unscrew the lid, etc. Would sticker rewards for bringing it all home help, or would that be stressful?

Check with his teacher - can she do a quick lunch box check for him before they go back to the classroom?

 

[mrzrich]

I'll meet the teacher Thursday night and talk to the teacher. He does not have a 1 to 1 lunch aide. Last year they broke the class of 12 into 3 sets of 4 for lunch. One set went with the teacher and the other two sets went with one of the 2 classroom paraprofessionals.

I guess I'll have to see what the plan will be this year. I am very nervous about this year in general because he's had the same teacher for a few years now, one who knows all his quirks , you know.

This year he'll have someone new.

Just being an over protective mom.

 

[MomOf2DisneyKids]

I can so sympathize!! I'm trying to find something that will work for lunch for my ds too...because every single day last year, it was the exact same thing, and I want him to try something new! I tried to suggest a thermos w/mac & cheese, but he doesn't want anything to do with it!

I wish there was someone there to watch him at lunch, well, more than the few cafe ladies that are there washing the tables and selling the milk/snack. He REALLY needs the supervision there!

Good luck to you, and if you find something that works, please let me know!