New sensory meal options for neurodivergent patients

As part of Neurodiversity Celebration Week (17-23 March), we are shining a light of the important work being done by our Food Services and Dietetics teams.

Proper nutrition is an integral part of how we ensure all children and young people who are inpatients at Perth Children’s Hospital get the healthy meals they need during their stay.

This means catering to the diet preference of all inpatients.

Neurodivergent patients with heightened sensory sensitivities often face challenges that affect their appetite and can have unique dietary requirements and relationships with food.

Through collaboration and community engagement our teams have designed a sensory meal which provides a predictable and calming sensory input to reduce stress around mealtimes and promote overall health and wellbeing.

The meals ensure all foods are separated on the plate, meaning each component can be enjoyed individually. In the coming months, new meal items will be introduced on the menu that were identified by consumers as food neurodivergent patients typically enjoy.

Nicole Steele, Senior Dietitian said the inclusion of the sensory meal was informed through consumer and on-the-ground feedback.

“By talking to staff and consumers we found a distinct gap in our meal options for our neurodivergent patient cohort,” Nicole said.

“It is important we are capturing the needs of all inpatients at Perth Children’s Hospital (PCH), and I am so please to be able to promote the dietary option during Neurodiversity Celebration Week.

“We want WA families to know that PCH is an inclusive and welcoming place for neurodivergent children and young people —a place where they feel safe, heard and respected.”

The sensory diet can be allocated by nursing in the allergy and diet application (ADA).