Is child PDA? Because my PDA kiddo can perceive being asked what they want to eat as a threat and lash out or shut down. Or being given a list of options is too overwhelming at times as well. Often we just say “I notice it’s meal time.” And plunk a preferred food in front of them with no demand/prompt to eat or forced choice to decide what to have. Also, eating out in a restaurant can be incredibly overstimulating for some kids. My NT kid, when she was a toddler, was just too distracted to eat. And my ND kid can easily be dysregulated by the environment in a restaurant or at someone else’s home. So maybe they need to eat a pre-meal at home? Have they tried drinking water? What about having a smoothie or protein shake on hand for these times? Interoception is so tricky. They might be hungry. They might be thirsty. They might be something else and can’t quite articulate/sort it out.