Many autistic people struggle with interoception. This means that they have a difficult time feeling and interpreting their body's signals. This connects with disordered eating behavior because it means they may miss their body's cues that they are hungry or full.
Food can be one of life's great comforts. As you point out, eating to self-soothe or for sensory stimulation may be particularly common among those with autism. One contributor may be the stress and anxiety that often accompanies autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
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.
Abstract. Backgrounds: Autistic adults tend to prefer eating alone, which may result in further social isolation. This study aims to understand contexts of challenges autistic adults face when eating with other people outside home. Methods: We explored autistic subjectivities actively situated in eating environments.
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.
Third, many people affected by autism experience what we call hyperphagia. This is an intense desire to eat that goes beyond true hunger. Given unchecked access to food, someone with hyperphagia may eat almost constantly.
Eating problems are common in autistic people.
Issues such as only eating very few foods, not being able to eat at school, going long periods of time without eating and pica (eating non-foods) can feel difficult to understand and manage.
Sensory issues, routines and rules around food, and interoception challenges make it harder for many autistic people to eat and judge their body's food needs. Understanding the root of the disordered eating behaviors will help an autistic person and their support system figure out what the best supports will be.
A child with ASD may have trouble processing sensations, such as touch, smell and taste. He may also have difficulty processing feelings of hunger, thirst and fullness. If he is oversensitive, he may prefer foods that are bland and soft or he may even avoid eating.
Children on the autism spectrum are more likely to have a restricted diet, refusing more foods and eating a more limited food repertoire than their typically developing peers [4–6].
Sugar: Since children with autism may show signs of hyperactivity, it may be best to avoid sugar to maintain balanced sugar levels. Monosodium glutamate (MSG): Similar to sugar, MSG can cause overstimulation in the brain, leading to hyperactivity.
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.
Autistic people can often have trouble sleeping. There are a range of reasons for this including difficulties with relaxing or winding down and irregular melatonin levels. Problems with sleep can be an issue for both autistic adults and children.
Many autistic people have intense and highly-focused interests, often from a fairly young age. These can change over time or be lifelong. It can be art, music, gardening, animals, postcodes or numbers.
Rapid eating is a common and potentially dangerous behavior among individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD; Favell et al., 1980).
Studies have shown that caffeine can improve cognitive function, reduce hyperactivity, and increase social interaction in individuals with autism. However, it is important to consume caffeine in moderation and to consult with a healthcare provider before consuming caffeine.
Although fatigue and burnout can happen to anyone, autistic people are more likely to be affected by this. It is often the result of doing more than you can cope with for too long and can be an immediate response to something, or be caused by a build up of things over time.
Many adults on the spectrum struggle with food and cooking because of sensory stimuli, extreme sensitivity to change, and a strong preference for a narrow selection of ingredients. Research shows that individuals with autism tend to favor processed foods and carbohydrates.
Many children with autism are drawn to water for its calming, sensory experience. In fact, a 2015 study[1] found that children with ASD enjoy swimming significantly more than children without ASD.
People who are very sensitive to smells and taste may prefer to eat quite bland food, and may find strong food smells overpowering. Under-sensitivity to taste or smell may mean the person prefers stronger flavours.
There tends to be less expressive face movement and different body language but in fact the emotions are felt rather intensely (Smith, 2009). This intense experience coupled with atypical expression has resulted in others suggesting those with autism do not understand the feelings of others.
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.
Many kids with autism also have postural issues that interfere with eating. Low muscle tone, for example, can make it difficult to maintain an upright seated position. Autism-related sensory aversions are another common reason for eating problems.
Beyond common medical conditions caused by extreme heat (e.g., exhaustion and heatstroke), individuals with autism often have sensory sensitivities [6] affecting their ability to regulate temperature; their heat intolerance may be part of sensory difficulties.