Kids with autism may experience a number of different issues with food. They may prefer foods that feel a certain way in their mouth, like crunchy foods or soft foods. Kids who only eat soft foods may have weak jaw muscles that make eating chewier food unpleasant.
Types of feeding problems associated with autism
This most often involves preference for starches and snack foods and more frequent rejection of fruits and vegetables. Children with autism are also more likely to engage in problem behaviors such as crying, disruption and leaving the table during meals.
In fact, a recent comprehensive review of research on the subject confirms that children with autism are five times more likely to struggle with eating issues compared to their typically developing peers.
Such food behaviours can include very limited food preferences, hypersensitivity to food textures or temperatures, and pocketing food without swallowing. A diet could be primarily made up of pasta, bread and chicken nuggets with little desire to try new foods and different textures.
A recent review of scientific studies found that children with autism are five times more likely to have mealtime challenges such as extremely narrow food selections, ritualistic eating behaviors (e.g. no foods can touch) and meal-related tantrums.
Nearly half of the children are sensitive to certain textures. Some steer clear of foods with smooth, creamy textures, such as mashed potatoes and yogurt, and others avoid foods with lumps (oatmeal) or foods that require chewing (meat and raw vegetables).
In fact, between 50% and 89% of kids with autism have some food selectivity. The end result: They tend to eat far fewer dairy products, fruits, vegetables and whole grains than typical children.
Some children with autism are sensitive to specific foods such as casein, gluten, artificial sweeteners, and dyes (this is true of children without autism as well). Some children with autism, probably because of picky eating habits, have nutritional deficits that can be alleviated through supplements.
Sensory difficulties
They may also suffer from sensory overload causing them to avoid food while in certain environments. Experiencing sensory food sensitivities can lead to your child refusing any food that looks, feels, smells, or tastes like another food they had that triggered their sensory processing disorder.
Signs of High-Functioning Autism in Children
May appear more mature for their age and have above-average intelligence. A tendency to avoid eye contact. Trouble deviating from a routine or adapting to changes. Trouble making friends and maintaining social relationships or not “fitting in” with peers.
Feeding problems, such as picky eating and food avoidance, are common in youth with autism. Other feeding and eating problems (e.g. disordered eating, fear of trying new foods, and insistence on specific food presentation) are also common in this population.
Kids with autism can be extremely selective when it comes to eating. An estimated 46–89% of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have feeding problems. ASD children struggle with sensory defensiveness, a need for routine and sameness, and visual overstimulation which makes expanding the palate difficult.
Some more recommended food items that help autism symptoms include: Prebiotic-rich foods (apples, asparagus, leeks, garlic, onions, bananas, and chicory root) Probiotic-rich foods (yogurt, kefir, and cultured vegetables like kimchi)
Sensory issue:
As a result, they would cram their mouths with food in order to heighten the sensation, but it would be too much for them to swallow. This is a regular occurrence in children with autism and sensory processing disorder, and it may necessitate more intensive treatment.
Every autistic person is different, but sensory differences, changes in routine, anxiety, and communication difficulties are common triggers.
Dairy (casein)
Children with autism (ASD) are much more likely to have a food intolerance to dairy than their peers. This mild allergy could explain why many parents have reported positive changes to their child's autism symptoms -including improved behavior - after eliminating dairy. Your child actually feels better.
Children on the autism spectrum often keep crying as long as it seems to work for them. When it doesn't, they eventually quit. If they are upset about something, we want them to learn to handle their feelings in more powerful ways.
The taste of chicken nuggets is not overwhelming, a characteristic which is welcome to children with sensory issues. Research suggests that “many individuals with autism tend to have strong preferences for carbohydrates and processed foods, while rejecting fruits and vegetables.
For some children, sensory toys such as squeeze balls and fidget toys, weighted blankets, their favorite videos, or activities can help them manage their emotions. You can set up a calming routine that the child practices on a regular basis, and make it part of their daily schedule.
In addition to sensory triggers, certain chemicals found in everyday household products like cleaning supplies or air fresheners can also aggravate symptoms of autism. These chemicals include phthalates and bisphenol A (BPA), which have been shown to disrupt hormones and affect behavior in animal studies.
Autistic children and teenagers are sometimes oversensitive to things like noise, crowds or temperature. They try to avoid sensory experiences.