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.
Causes of fussy eating in autistic children and teenagers include gastrointestinal issues, sensory sensitivities and preference for routines. All children need a variety of fresh, healthy foods for good health and development.
Many children on the autism spectrum will only eat something if it is presented each time in the same type of plate or container. Some extremely selective kids will want “perfect” uniformity of their food and will refuse to eat if they detect even the slightest change.
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.
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.
Research also tells us that many individuals with autism tend to have strong preferences for carbohydrates and processed foods, while rejecting fruits and vegetables. This, too, may reflect an aversion to strong tastes and textures.
Atypical eating behaviours have been recognised as common in autism. Such food behaviours can include very limited food preferences, hypersensitivity to food textures or temperatures, and pocketing food without swallowing.
Children with autism — and the parents who feed them — often face significant distress around mealtime. 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 autistic people experience hypersensitivity to bright lights or certain light wavelengths (e.g., LED or fluorescent lights). Certain sounds, smells, textures and tastes can also be overwhelming. This can result in sensory avoidance – trying to get away from stimuli that most people can easily tune out.
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.
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.
Eating together with other people is a common activity to socialize and feel a sense of belonging. But autistic adults often prefer to eat alone, though they have a desire to socialize.
Rapid eating is a common problem observed in individuals with developmental disabilities (McGimsey, 1977). This behavior can lead to serious health problems, such as vomiting and aspiration (Kedesky & Budd, 1998), and may be socially stigmatizing.
Children with autism are often clumsy, physically awkward or uncoordinated.
The strongest direct evidence of foods linked to autism involves wheat and dairy, and the specific proteins they contain – namely, gluten and casein. These are difficult to digest and, especially if introduced too early in life, may result in an allergy.
Because of their sensitivity to smell, temperature, taste and texture, kids with Aspergers and High-Functioning Autism are often "picky" eaters. Some develop fetishes such as only eating beige-colored foods or foods with creamy textures. They often like very sour or very spicy tastes.
People with autism spectrum disorder are sometimes said to lack empathy (the ability to feel along with others) and/or sympathy (the ability to feel for others). While this stereotype is often used to describe all people with autism, these challenges are not experienced by everyone on the spectrum.
Autistic people may act in a different way to other people
find it hard to understand how other people think or feel. find things like bright lights or loud noises overwhelming, stressful or uncomfortable. get anxious or upset about unfamiliar situations and social events. take longer to understand information.
Among those with autism, common triggers include disturbing breaks in routine, lack of sleep, jarring “sensory stimuli” (noises, lights, or smells) or even undiagnosed mental health problems. Clearly, it's important to look beyond the behavior itself to identify the underlying cause.
Childhood experiences surrounding food may have a particularly strongly influence how people eat later in life. “Almost all of the adults I've talked to or worked with who are picky eaters can trace their food problems back to early childhood,” says Dr.
Whilst adults and some children may enjoy trying new and different dishes, autistic children tend to prefer food that is less stimulating. The taste of chicken nuggets is not overwhelming, a characteristic which is welcome to children with sensory issues.
Picky eating and ADHD often go hand-in-hand.
In fact, researchers at Duke University found a high correlation between selective eating problems and ADHD. Additionally, many children with ADHD are more predisposed to crave sugar due to the surge of dopamine that sugar delivers to the brain.
Often called a GF/CF diet, this eating plan avoids foods that contain gluten (found in many breads and cereals) and casein (found in milk products). Eliminating gluten and casein may help to change symptoms and behaviors of autism.