PICKY EATING

PICKY EATING

Picky eating or food selectivity is very common in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and it can be stressful for parents. There are several reasons why autistic children may be selective about their food choices, including:

1. Sensory Sensitivities

Many children with autism have heightened sensory processing, meaning they may be hypersensitive to textures, smells, colors, or even the temperature of foods. Foods that have a particular texture or appearance may be overwhelming or unpleasant, leading them to refuse certain fruits, vegetables, or foods with complex textures (e.g., mushy or crunchy).

2. Oral-Motor Difficulties

Some autistic children have issues with oral-motor skills, which can affect chewing and swallowing. They may struggle with certain textures that are hard to chew or swallow and therefore avoid them. They might prefer soft, easy-to-eat foods like purees or processed foods.

3. Rigid Preferences and Routine

Many children with autism prefer routine and consistency. This can extend to their food choices, where they may want the same foods every day and be resistant to trying new ones. The unfamiliarity of a new food can feel distressing or anxiety-provoking.

4. Gastrointestinal Issues

Children with ASD are more likely to experience gastrointestinal problems, such as constipation or acid reflux. These issues may cause discomfort during or after eating, leading them to avoid foods they associate with pain or discomfort.

5. Limited Imitation of Social Eating

Children with autism may not model their eating behaviors based on others, including peers or family members, which is common in typically developing children. This can contribute to limited food variety in their diet.

How to Help with Picky Eating

Although addressing food selectivity can be challenging, there are several strategies that can help reduce picky eating and expand a child’s diet:

1. Gradual Exposure: Slowly introduce new foods alongside preferred foods. Keep the new food present, even if they don’t eat it at first. Repeated exposure in a non-pressuring environment can help increase acceptance over time.

2. Sensory Desensitization: If a child struggles with food textures, it can help to work on desensitizing them by allowing them to touch or play with the food without the pressure to eat it. Gradually, they might be more comfortable with it.

3. Food Chaining: This technique involves introducing new foods by starting with similar foods that the child already likes. For example, if the child enjoys apple slices, you could introduce pears, which have a similar texture but slightly different flavor.

4. Visual Supports: Some children benefit from visual aids, such as a food schedule or pictures of meals to prepare them for what they will eat. This can help reduce anxiety around new foods.

5. Routine and Positive Reinforcement: Create a consistent mealtime routine and offer praise or small rewards for trying new foods, even if it’s just a bite. Avoid pressuring the child, as this can increase resistance.

6. Consulting with Specialists: Working with a speech-language pathologist (SLP) who specializes in feeding, occupational therapists (OTs), or dietitians can be helpful. They can offer strategies tailored to the child's specific sensory or motor challenges.

7. Address Gastrointestinal Issues: If GI problems are suspected, addressing these issues with medical support may reduce the discomfort around eating and improve food acceptance.

By addressing the underlying causes and working gradually to increase food variety, parents can help their autistic child develop a more balanced diet while reducing mealtime stress.