Feeding concerns are common for children with autism. In fact, children with autism are five times more likely than their peers to develop a feeding problem. However, it can be difficult to tell whether a child’s eating habits are normal or require intervention.
Read on to learn more about feeding issues associated with autism and what steps you need to take to ensure that your child is getting appropriate nutrition and help with eating.
Identifying a feeding problem
Mealtime problems are common in young children and can include:
- Fluctuating hunger
- Picky eating
- Unwillingness to try new foods
- Strong food preferences
Even though picky eating is a common problem, research suggests that it’s usually a temporary and normal part of development. However, children with autism often have more chronic feeding problems that go beyond picky eating. This may mean the child won’t eat an entire category of food such as proteins or vegetables. Or it may mean that a child exhibits intense problem behaviors when offered foods they don’t like.
Types of feeding problems associated with autism
The feeding concern most commonly observed in children with autism is food selectivity, or eating a limited variety of foods. 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.
Impact on family life
Parents of children who have autism and feeding problems may change their daily routines and schedules to accommodate their child’s mealtime issues. This includes packing a child’s preferred foods to take to restaurants or family gatherings. In some cases, families may avoid activities involving food altogether. Parents of children with autism and feeding problems may also experience increased stress or a strained relationship with their partner due to concerns surrounding their child’s mealtime behaviors.
Risks associated with food selectivity
Food selectivity in children with autism doesn’t frequently result in weight loss or poor growth. In fact, selective eating patterns involving preferences for starches and snack foods may increase the risk for obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease in adolescence and adulthood. In addition to these long-term consequences, eating a narrow variety of foods may also have more immediate health implications, including:
- Poor bone growth
- Constipation
- Vitamin and mineral deficiencies
Research indicates that children with autism tend to have a lower intake of calcium and protein in their diets, which can result in preventable diet-related diseases.
Tips for expanding your child’s diet
Children with autism benefit from structure and routine, which should include mealtimes. They should eat at predictable times, with three meals and two snacks each day. Children can be offered water in between meals, but other foods and drinks between scheduled meals should be limited.
Continue to put less-preferred foods on the table during meals. If these foods are removed completely, your child won’t have the opportunity to try new foods. New and nonpreferred foods should be given in small amounts, such as a single green pea or half of a grape, on a separate plate. By decreasing the amount of food you offer, your child is more likely to try the food.If your child is still having feeding issues, read more about ourFeeding Program.
We recognize that every child is unique and that the content of this article may not work for everyone. This content is general information and is not specific medical advice. We hope these tips will serve as a jumping-off point for finding the best approach to helping a child with autism. Always consult with a doctor or healthcare provider if you have any questions or concerns about the health of a child. In case of an urgent concern or emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department right away. Some physicians and affiliated healthcare professionals on the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta team are independent providers and are not our employees.
FAQs
Children with ASD may display distinctive feeding difficulties and atypical feeding behaviours that include picky eating, limited independent feeding, need for increased feeding times, and a highly restrictive food repertoire.
What are the unusual eating habits of autism? ›
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.
What are eating challenges in autism? ›
What difficulties do autistic people often experience with eating and drinking? Food related sensory processing – Autistic people can often struggle to tolerate different tastes, textures, appearances, and smells of food. Sometimes, there may also be a fear of swallowing or choking.
What should autism spectrum eat? ›
A balanced diet with emphasis on lean proteins, healthy fats, and fibrous foods (fruits, vegetables, and whole grains) can be incredibly beneficial for those on the autism spectrum to support gut health and brain development. 2. The Gluten-Free diet & Casein-Free diet (GFCF diets).
What is the most common eating disorder in autism? ›
Anorexia nervosa
It often develops during adolescence, but can impact people of any age, gender or background. A link between autism and anorexia has been observed as early as the 1980s, with approximately 20-35% of women with the disorder also meeting the diagnostic criteria for autism.
What is sensory Behavioural feeding difficulties? ›
Sensory based feeding difficulties occur when a child has difficulty accepting and eating foods or drink that have a certain texture, smell, taste and look.
What is food neophobia? ›
Food neophobia is generally regarded as the reluctance to eat, or the avoidance of, new foods. In contrast, 'picky/fussy' eaters are usually defined as children who consume an inadequate variety of foods through rejection of a substantial amount of foods that are familiar (as well as unfamiliar) to them.
What does hunger feel like in autism? ›
They may not recognize their hunger until symptoms like stomach pain, headaches, or mood swings.
What is food pocketing? ›
The act of storing food inside the mouth without swallowing it is known as food pocketing. Food is normally stored or “locked” inside the cheeks, although some children also store it in front of their gums. Food pocketing frequently starts while children are young, according to Alaina Everitt, a certified psychologist.
What is food rumination in autism? ›
Rumination. A less common but equally serious type of disordered eating for children with ASD is food rumination. This condition causes people with autism to regurgitate and rechew their partially digested food – sometimes over and over again.
Many children with autism have weakness in the core muscles of the stomach and back. Others have poor body awareness. That is they don't quite sense where their bodies are in space. Any of these issues can produce poor posture, wriggling and discomfort while sitting at the meal table.
Why does autism affect eating? ›
Children with autism can experience immense anxiety during mealtimes. For some, sensory aversions are the cause while others fear trying unfamiliar foods. These feelings of anxiety can shut down a child's hunger, and they may not get enough food to meet their daily nutritional needs.
What food do autistic kids love? ›
Sensory issues with food: Kids on the autism spectrum often express a strong preference for foods that feel a certain way in their mouths. Some prefer soft or creamy foods like yogurt, soup or ice cream; others need the stimulation that crunchy foods like Cheetos or — if a parent is lucky, carrots — provide.
What foods do autistic children not like? ›
Avoid foods that have artificial dyes, colors, flavors, additives, and preservatives. Once again these are good for all people to avoid but especially children with autism as it can cause issues with development. It can also cause stomach irritation as well as being linked to disrupting normal emotional processing.
What snacks do autistic kids like? ›
Here are some suggestions:
- Ants on a log, made celery, almond butter, and raisins.
- Veggie plate, focusing on colors and textures your child is receptive to — serve with hummus, guacamole, etc.
- Homemade granola bars (for picky eaters)
- Egg muffins made with veggies (once again, consider your child's preferences)
About 58% to 67% of parents of children with ASD report selective or picky feeding in their child 30, 31, 32. Children with ASD are often described as picky or selective eaters 33. Neophobia, which is defined as systematic refusal of novel foods, is also frequent in children with ASD.
What are some feeding problems that you might expect from a child who has a behavioral or attention disorder? ›
The following are potential signs of feeding difficulties and sensory/behavioral challenges that may require discussion with a doctor and/or therapeutic intervention: Only eating one type of texture (e.g. crunchy, mushy or foods that require limited chewing, like crackers)
What is different about eating disorders for those with autistic spectrum condition? ›
For non-autistic people, issues with weight or body image are often the reason they develop an eating disorder. For autistic people, the reasons can be different and may include: sensory differences related to food (including not recognising hunger or fullness, known as interoception)
