People with ASD can have a complicated relationship with food, below we look into the relationship between Autism and McDonald’s.

The motivation for this article is after having two conversations with parents dealing with the same problem.

They both had a child who would only eat McDonald’s food, an incredible situation to be in.

An autistic child and eating McDonald’s

We all know that habits with food can become engrained in autistic individuals very quickly.

I actually believe that food routines are one of the most common traits in people with ASD.

Quite often it is that individuals only eat one colour of food, sometimes it is a preferred texture, other times a preference for a temperature.

But what is it with McDonald’s?

Here are some factors which may be behind the strict preference;

Visual consistency

McDonald’s is known for its distinct visual branding. Autistic children in particular may be drawn to the recognisable golden arches and other visual cues associated with the brand.

This can wind up making them more comfortable with the dining experience.

Menu familiarity

As much as they bring in seasonal rotations, the McDonald’s menu has stayed pretty similar in the last 30 years.

The consistency in McDonald’s menu items across different locations allows autistic children to become familiar with specific food choices.

This way they know exactly what to expect can be reassuring for them.

Temperature and texture

As mentioned above, some autistic children have specific preferences for food textures or temperatures.

McDonald’s items may meet these preferences, as many items have uniform textures and are served at a consistent temperature.

If you recall your last trip to McDonald’s, the food is rarely piping hot. That’s not to say that it’s cold either, it’s just comfortably warm.

Child focused experience

McDonald’s have almost always been very welcoming to children. From the kids parties of our childhood to the strategically placed iPad’s with kids games nowadays.

McDonald’s are very attuned to the needs of kids and crucially parents. Even access to crayons and colouring paper.

All of these attributes make them an appealing place to children, autistic or otherwise.

Tasty food

There are some critics of food in McDonald’s but in the main across society it is incredibly popular.

From their chips (fries) to their burgers and nuggets, there is something which appeals to most people.

Autistic children may well have found something they like on the menu and just want to stick to that option.

What if your child with autism only eats McDonald’s?

It’s one thing knowing what may be behind a child’s strong preference for McDonald’s, but dealing with it is another issue.

Here are some tips to consider;

Food exploration at home

Parents can experiment with different foods at home where the child feels comfortable.

Try to create a positive environment for trying new things, and involve them in the process of selecting and preparing meals.

You could try options like supermarket bought nuggets or burgers to give your child a McDonald’s from home.

You could also even use old containers from McDonald’s to give them that visual reassurance.

With time you could remove these visual reminders until your child is just eating similar food at home.

Consider sensory preferences

As stated above it may well be that your child prefers the temperature and texture of the food in McDonald’s.

Take into account your child’s sensory factors when introducing new foods. Consider textures, temperatures, and flavors that align with their preferences.

Social modelling

Encourage the child to eat with peers who have diverse eating habits. Sometimes, observing others can motivate children to try new foods.

This could include inviting others over who will eat regular sandwiches and alike.

It may be that your child takes inspiration from them and branches out with their preferences.

Teach your child about health

Even the most staunch McDonald’s fans would probably agree that eating it every day is not a balanced diet.

Over time try to teach your child the benefit of eating a balanced diet. Provide inspiration through cartoons and online role models who preach health and nutrition.

Use praise appropriately

Use positive reinforcement to encourage trying new foods. Praise and reward the child when they attempt or successfully eat a new item, creating positive associations with diverse food choices.

This praise could even come when they hold new items or put them to their lips.

You will try over time to build a positive association between new foods and their reaction to them.

Summary – Autism and McDonald’s

Children with autism may exhibit strong preferences for specific foods or routines due a desire for sameness.

McDonald’s, with its consistent menu and familiar environment, can provide a sense of comfort and predictability for autistic children.

Additionally, the specific textures, flavours, or packaging of McDonald’s food may align with the child’s sensory preferences, making it more appealing to them.

It’s important for parents and caregivers to understand and respect the individual needs of autistic children while also working towards introducing a varied and balanced diet.

Good luck

Any tips or ideas?

We would love to hear from you if you have got any techniques or ideas for our readers to try.

Be sure to leave a comment if any of the above has helped or if you have any ideas we can add to this article.

Also be sure to search for any other articles you might find helpful.

Try for example searching below for topics like ‘meltdown’ or ‘communication’.