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A Calgary mom says her autistic son was “snack shamed” for taking banana bread to school, forced to eat in the hallway while his Grade 1 classmates ate fresh fruits and vegetables.

The mom, whom Postmedia has agreed not to identify over concerns her six-year-old son could be punished, said she recently learned he had been removed from class for the offending snack.

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“They told me they only allow fresh fruits and vegetables for snack time,” she said, noting there are limited foods he will actually eat.

“He was told to sit outside of the class to eat his snack. It’s not right. He’s being punished by being made to eat by himself.”

I understand healthy eating, but you’re not going to tell me what to feed my child

The mom said her son is on the higher functioning side of the autism spectrum and attends regular classes at a Calgary public school despite his special needs.

But by ostracizing her child from his classmates, she feels it’s hurting his development and contributing to his growing antipathy toward school that’s manifested in recent months.