If your autistic child only eats certain foods do not feel alone, this is a common issue which a number of parents struggle with.

In this article we explain why that may be the case and what you can do to help with the problem.

Why may an autistic child have issues with food?

One common issue that parents of autistic children often face is selective eating, where their child may only eat certain foods and reject others.

This can be a challenging behaviour to manage, but understanding the reasons behind it and implementing appropriate strategies can help parents support their child’s nutrition and overall well-being.

There are several reasons why an autistic child may exhibit selective eating habits;

Sensory issues

Many autistic children have sensory sensitivities, which can affect their experience with food. They may be sensitive to the texture, taste, smell, or appearance of certain foods, leading to aversions or preferences for specific types of food.

For example, they may find certain textures like crunchy or slimy foods uncomfortable, or they may be sensitive to strong flavors or smells.

As a result, they may only accept foods that meet their sensory preferences.

Routine

Autistic children often thrive on routines and sameness, and changes in their food choices may disrupt their sense of familiarity and comfort.

They may prefer to stick to the same foods they are familiar with, as it provides them with a sense of predictability and control in their environment.

Anxiety

Some autistic children may experience anxiety and stress around food, which can impact their eating habits. They may associate certain foods with negative experiences or have fears related to choking or vomiting. This can lead to food avoidance or restriction.

Communication

Autistic children may have challenges with communication, including expressing their food preferences or aversions.

They may have limited verbal skills or difficulty understanding and expressing their needs.

As a result, they may rely on familiar foods as a way to communicate their preferences or avoid unfamiliar foods.

What can parents do

There is no hiding from the fact that it is extremely challenging to address an autistic child’s eating habits.

With that said here are a few considerations;

Offer variety

While respecting their child’s sensory sensitivities, parents can gradually introduce new foods and textures in a non-threatening manner.

You can offer a variety of foods and encourage their child to explore different tastes, textures, and colors.

It may be helpful to involve the child in meal planning and preparation to increase their comfort level with new foods.

Replicate sensory preferences

If your child has very specific preferences such as mushy or crunchy textures you could try and replicate this with other types of food.

For example if your child will only eat beige food (as is common) you could perhaps mix food colouring in to something else to replicate that colour.

If your child only likes crunchy textures you could overcook other food types to give them that same feeling.

Use structure

Establishing a structured mealtime routine can provide predictability and familiarity for autistic children.

This may include setting regular meal times, using visual schedules or social stories to prepare them for mealtime, and creating a calm and distraction-free environment during meals.

Be patient

It’s important for parents to understand that selective eating in autistic children is not a result of pickiness or disobedience, but rather a manifestation of sensory sensitivities, routines, anxiety, or communication challenges.

Being patient, empathetic, and understanding towards their child’s challenges is crucial in managing selective eating behaviours

Seek help

Consulting with a registered dietitian or a pediatric feeding specialist can provide valuable guidance and support in addressing selective eating behaviours.

These professionals can assess the child’s nutritional needs, provide strategies to improve their diet, and help parents develop a plan to manage selective eating in a safe and effective manner.

Keep a food diary

Keeping a food diary helps parents track their child’s eating patterns and identify any patterns or triggers for selective eating.

This can provide valuable insights into the child’s preferences, aversions, and nutritional intake, and help parents make informed decisions about their child’s diet.

Provide alternatives

Similarly to the ideas around replicating their sensory preferences you can tailor alternatives.

If a child has strong aversions to certain foods, parents can explore alternative options that offer similar nutritional value.

For example, if a child refuses to eat vegetables, parents can consider offering vegetable-based soups, smoothies, or purees as an alternative way to incorporate essential nutrients into their diet.

Be a good role model

Children often model their eating behaviors after their parents or caregivers.

Therefore, it’s important for parents to be good role models by demonstrating healthy eating habits and enjoying a wide variety of foods themselves.

This can help normalize different foods and encourage their child to be more open to trying new foods.

Summary – Autistic child only eats certain foods

Selective eating in autistic children can be attributed to sensory sensitivities, routines, anxiety, and communication challenges.

It’s important to approach selective eating behaviors with empathy, understanding, and professional guidance to ensure the child’s nutritional needs are met while respecting their individual preferences and challenges.