Few parents have children who have not had to deal with food tantrums at some point, or at least picky eating habits. However, children with autism, and therefore the parents who feed them, often face significantly larger and more complex issues around food for a variety of reasons.

Babies become highly selective eaters between 18 and 24 months. Most children, with regular exposure to new foods, grow out of picky eating by around age 7, or at least stop being selective. However, children with autism do not typically grow out of picky eating.

The link between selective eating and autism

Children with autism prefer predictable things, including the foods they eat and the foods they eat. The eating habits of children with autism are largely made up of processed foods. This is because fruits, vegetables, and other whole foods do not smell and taste the same every time they are eaten. Children with autism often have strong preferences for certain textures and temperatures. Some children prefer soft, creamy foods, such as purees or baby food. Other children need the extra stimulation of crunchy foods. Some children have underdeveloped oral motor muscles. In fact, children who enjoy and eat mostly soft foods as they grow may lack the developed muscles needed to chew foods like meat or burgers. They become tired of eating these foods and feel uncomfortable about it. Often, parents who are unaware that this is the cause of their child’s distress respond by allowing them to forgo foods that might strengthen their muscles, so it becomes a vicious cycle. Sensory preferences can limit what a child is willing to eat. Additionally, children with autism have more difficulty sitting still while eating. Table behavior may include repeatedly getting up and running away from the table, or even throwing dishes dangerously.

How to Deal with Eating Problems in Children with Autism

Ruling Out Health Problems
When a child with autism is experiencing feeding problems, a parent’s first stop should be a gastroenterologist, who can rule out organic causes. Among the most common problems children may experience are: reflux, constipation, eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) (an allergic swallowing disorder that makes children feel like they are choking), and diarrhea.

Stay Calm
Many children need to taste a food more than a dozen times before they are ready to eat it without grunting. Children with autism-related sensitivities may take a little longer. So be patient as they explore and try new foods. If they continue to refuse a food even after repeated attempts, they may simply not like it. Consider trying a different food. Above all, don’t let food become a family battleground. Instead, try to be creative.

Adjust the texture
Autism is often accompanied by hypersensitivity to texture. So remember that food aversions can be triggered by the feel of the food in your mouth rather than its taste. A classic example is the freshness of fresh tomatoes. Try chopping or blending such foods to smooth out the unpleasant texture.

Praise them
Praising your child for every aspect of their progress in trying new foods and textures is key.

Keep a food diary
Parents should record what their child eats at each meal as much as possible so they can track progress and where problems persist. With footage you can watch over time, it’s much easier to be patient and keep everyone on track.

Model Good Eating Behaviors
Many times, what you show your child in your behavior is what they pay attention to more than what you tell them. If you tell your child that it’s really important to eat a balanced diet, but then you don’t actually eat it, they probably won’t develop the positive habits you’re asking of them.

Try a visual food chart or food book
Providing visual cues can help communicate positive messages about food. Try printing out pictures of foods they like and foods they plan to try. Each time they try a new food, they can add it to their own meal chart or book and you can both see the progress.

Don’t force them
Try not to force your child to try a new food or trick them into eating it by hiding it in something they like. Children need to feel confident before they are willing to eat something they may fear they will not like. Although autism’s eating habits can be frustrating for parents, try to be patient. Showing love and acceptance to your child is always the most important thing for their overall health.