Autism and Fussy Eating

Tom and Jerry. Salt and pepper. Key and lock… Autism and fussy eating. Certain things just go together!

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There are many challenges that come with being on the autism spectrum, but one of the most common is difficulty dealing with mealtime. Many people with autism find it difficult to sit through a long meal or to eat anything that isn’t exactly within their food preferences. The good news is that there are some steps you can take to help your child cope better with his or her picky eating habits.

Is It Perhaps a Medical Problem?

Food refusal could be more about medical issues than selective eating. Because autistic kids often struggle to vocalise pain, gastrointestinal problems may cause your child to appear to be a fussy eater. Bad mealtime behavior may be a sign of:

• Acid reflux.
• Constipation as a result of delayed toileting or a limited variety of foods.
• Diarrhea due to a limited diet or malabsorption of specific sugars.
• Eosinophilic esophagitis is an allergic swallowing disorder that makes your child gag or choke.
• Underdeveloped or fatigued oral muscles may make it hard for your child to chew. (This can only be fixed by eating chewy foods more often.)

Before becoming one of those parents of children with autism who is frazzled, rule out any medical problems.

Be Patient, But Persistent

It’s important to be patient with your child and let them know that you love them no matter what they do or don’t eat. While it can be frustrating as a parent to see your child refuse to eat certain types of foods, it’s important to remain positive and focus on meeting their nutritional needs rather than trying to force the issue.

Even adults can take a while to form a favorable opinion about unfamiliar food. Children tend to take a bit longer. Add autism or ASD into the mix, and disruptive behavior at the dinner table is no surprise at all.

Avoid making mealtime a battle ground between you and your child. But persist with trying new foods. Set mini goals that you can work towards achieving and eventually you’ll be able to make progress on bigger issues that need to be addressed. Start small, celebrate victories, and aim to praise your child five times for every one reprimand. (Phrase praise in a very specific way so that your kid grasps what behaviours to repeat.)

What Do You Want to Achieve at Mealtime?

When coming up with a strategy for helping your child improve their eating habits, it’s best to think about what you would like to accomplish rather than looking at the situation as a problem that needs to be fixed.

Kids with autism have two-pronged feeding issues:

1. Sensory issues where they crave certain sensory stimulation, for instance, crunchy vs. creamy.
2. Limited capacity for enduring the time and etiquette needed during meals.

Taking on it all will just lead to overwhelm and disappointment. Decide what is most important to you and prioritize that. Only once you are making progress in one area should you move on to the next.

Stick To A Schedule And Routine

Occupational therapists cannot overemphasise the importance of consistency for behaviors in children – especially those with autism. When it comes to averting mealtime meltdowns, some ideas to increase routine are:

• Meal planning that includes main meals and snacks. (This saves you time and hassle too!)
• Setting – and sticking to – times for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks each day.
• Limiting where food may be eaten.
• Keeping a food log of what you tried when so that you can revisit some options at a manageable interval.

You are not alone at the dinner table! Get in touch with Autism Center for Kids for support and additional guidance about autism and fussy eating.