This excellent cookbook, “Coach in the Kitchen”, provides explicit, detailed food preparation and cooking instructions for recipes that my son can follow independently.

This sets the tone for section one of the book, which is arguably more important than the recipe section (and probably could have been a book of its own). We've carefully selected ingredients and recipes that are low in sugar and carbs, ensuring that you're serving up wholesome, nutritious meals that won't lead to energy spikes and crashes. From the point of diagnosis, there seems to be this odd idea about how to deal with acknowledging that someone is on the autistic spectrum.Cookbooks I googled often had ‘junk science’ claims - often along the line of ‘cure your disability, eat this super healthy food and stop poisoning yourself! At the time of writing, there is no data to officially provide context, but it is blindingly obvious from anecdotes, interviews, or just friendly conversations with autistic people. Before the pandemic, at the suggestion of a lecturer, I baked a weekly cake for a particular class while attending college. In The Autism-Friendly Cookbook: No-Sugar, Low-Carb Recipes for Picky Eaters, we've created a culinary masterpiece tailored to the unique needs of individuals with autism and their families. We should not have to wear lanyards just to ensure basic standards, or even phone ahead to get access to venues.

What I thought was excellent about the methods is nothing is assumed; everything is explained but the reader isn’t patronised at all. This book was really well written and had a clear focus on helping those with autism and those who care for those who are on the spectrum. Porridge oats could also make a healthier mix during step 2; Re-plate half of the flour with porridge oats. The recipes also offer adaptations for people who are sensory seekers, sensory avoiders or who want to broaden their cooking horizons in the kitchen.So I approached Lydia’s book hoping not only to discover some tasty food, but also hoping to learn more about my autistic self. The world would be a very boring place if we were all the same, with no difference, no creativity, no originality.

If you had told the class of 2018 that – in just under 2 years – we’d have experienced a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic, our baby faces would have laughed themselves silly. Every dish contains a rough time duration to make, an energy level and skill level required (both of which are explained in detail in section one) and ideas for when you might make it. Not all autistic individuals will struggle – but I’d argue that those who don’t are extraordinarily lucky, and probably the product of a degree of privilege, such as if someone in a supporting role has had the time to teach and adapt to your specific needs. A pandemic defined my shonky government communication devoid of any empathic common sense gave away to a lot of free time for us all, in the end.I have a degree of privilege in that I am able to speak and engage with people; this is so often reflected by the surprise people express when they find out I am autistic. The impeccable analysis of tasks is the basis for the success of the unique cookbook, “Coach in the Kitchen”.

When I told someone I was reviewing this book, their first question was “how is a cookbook for autistic people different to a cookbook for neurotypical people?

Try sprinkling other things on top of the crumble in addition to or instead of the sugar; desiccated coconut is one thing you could try! Say goodbye to mealtime pain and agitation, and embrace the joy of preparing and sharing delicious, health-conscious meals with your loved ones. There had to be a way to unpick this - or at the very least start to give individuals the words they needed to articulate what they needed. Which I guess props to her that that can fill her up but for me, I need beans or soy in most of my meals to feel full.