I sit next to my son during almost every meal, and I have found that if I touch his arm or his leg intermittently he stays more relaxed. I have not figured out if he likes physical touch so much because of his sensory processing or because of his autism. He has always loved to be hugged or to lean against me or mom. At church he will sometimes get right up against me in the pew. I am sure that others must look at it and find it odd, but I have learned to just accept it. I am sure that one day I will actually miss him snuggling up next to me all the time.

My son also loves to get up from the table and take some food with him "on the go". Sometimes he says that he is all full, but "can you leave my food on my plate in case I want it for later, dad?" Then he will intermittently pop into the kitchen and take a bite here and there. We try to minimize that, but as long as he eats fairly well at the table before trying that routine, we don't push it too hard.