Many parents are familiar with picky eating, however as a parent of a child with autism, you may be familiar with it on a whole new level. It is not uncommon for children with autism to have extremely restrictive eating patterns, and preferred colors, textures, or even brands of specific food items. Caregivers often struggle to know what to offer and keep plenty of the preferred foods on hand.
Additionally, you may also worry about the child’s nutrition and health. On the other hand, it is important to acknowledge the child is also worried and anxious when faced with a new and different food. In this blog we will review the impacts of picky eating on individuals with autism and some strategies to overcome it.
Why Does the Picky Eating Matter?
Proper Nutrition
Many of the foods preferred by people with autism are highly processed or do not provide a wide range of nutrients, and they also may be high in calories, sugar, and fat. Each of these foods can lead to excess weight gain. As a result, someone with extremely picking eating may still be growing and at the top of the growth charts, yet deficient in key nutrients that support healthy development.
Health Consequences for Autism and Picky Eating
Children and adults with autism are at greater risk for malnutrition, obesity, and chronic disease. While there are a few reasons for this, restricted eating patterns play a role.
Why is Picky Eating so Common in Autism?
Sensory Sensitivity
Many individuals with autism have heightened sensory sensitivities. Tastes, textures, smells, and even the appearance of foods can be challenging to navigate for a person with autism. These sensitivities can make certain foods overwhelming or aversive, leading to a limited range of acceptable foods.
Routine and Predictability
Individuals with autism often thrive on routines and predictability. They may prefer familiar foods and routines around meals, therefore resisting new foods or changes in their eating environment.
Anxiety and Control
Anxiety, which is common in individuals with autism, can also manifest around mealtimes. This may lead to a preference for control over their environment and food choices, which can reinforce picky eating behaviors.
Gastrointestinal Issues
Some individuals with autism may experience gastrointestinal issues, such as food sensitivities or digestive problems. These issues can contribute to aversions or discomfort associated with eating certain foods. It is important to rule out physical pain from food allergies or intolerance, gastrointestinal conditions or a swallowing disorder.
Communication Difficulties
Someone with autism may have difficulty communicating their food preferences or discomfort with certain foods. This can lead to limited choices if caregivers or others misinterpret their needs or preferences.
Strategies for Caregivers for Autism and Picky Eating
There are ways to make the process of food acceptance a little less stressful. When someone is refusing a food, just know that there is a reason that makes sense to them. We may not see it, but something about that food causes pain, anxiety, or aversion. It’s a gradual process of helping them be more comfortable with their non-preferred foods, and this takes exposure to the food in a non-pressure way.
Create a Predictable Mealtime Routine
Establish a predictable mealtime routine with consistent meal times and settings to provide a sense of security and reduce anxiety around meals. For example, eat breakfast at the same time everyday and at the table. Consider purchasing a specific dinner set for your individual that they can use with each meal, allow them to pick it out as this can also help with food acceptance. Take the focus off of the food the child will or won’t eat and instead focus on mealtimes as a way to spend time together.
Respect Sensory Preferences
Showing respect for an individual’s sensory preferences is extremely important. If textures or flavors are a concern, then consider how you can modify foods. Blend vegetables into a sauce so they get the nutrients without having to eat them separately.
This can help increase variety in individuals with autism and picky eating. The goal is to not just foster acceptance, but also increase enjoyment of a wider variety of foods.
Provide Exposure in Baby Steps
In order for the child to become more comfortable with foods, they need to explore and experience the food without the initial pressure of “try-it”. Cooking activities, farmer’s markets, and meal planning are a great way to do this.
At the Farmer’s Markets, allow them to look at all the foods offered and choose one for the family. They may not try the food the first time and that is okay, but know that the exposure to the food is the important part, and this is where progress happens.
Allow for and Praise Tiny Bites
Typically when we offer new foods it is big spoonfuls at the dinner table. This may be stressful to someone with autism who deals with picky eating. So, make it small and make it fun! Offer both the new food and a familiar food and yield control to the individual during snack time.
One way to do this is to place a small pea sized amount on a spoon and place it on the individual’s plate. Another way is to ask them to sandwich the tiny bite inside their favorite food. Give them permission to spit it out if they don’t like it, but praise them if they do try it. This gives them a sense of control and confidence.
Seek Help for Autism and Picky Eating
Having a multidisciplinary healthcare team to evaluate and assess each individual case is recommended. This team may include a medical doctor, registered dietitian, speech language pathologist, and occupational or feeding therapist. If you are a caregiver of an individual with autism and picky eating is a challenge for you, then consider scheduling an appointment with a registered dietitian today.
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