Feeding children with autism can sometimes be a challenge. Many parents and caregivers notice that their children have specific food preferences. Some autistic kids may be picky eaters, avoid certain textures, or have sensitivities that make eating stressful.
If you’re struggling to figure out the best way to feed your child with autism, you’re not alone. The good news is that there are several strategies to make mealtime easier, more enjoyable, and less stressful for both you and your child.
Understand Sensory Sensitivities
Many children with autism have sensory sensitivities. These sensitivities affect how they experience food. The texture, taste, smell, or appearance of certain foods can be overwhelming for them.
For example, a child may refuse to eat foods that are too crunchy, too soft, or have a strong smell. Understanding these sensory sensitivities is key to creating a positive mealtime experience.
Tip: Gradually offer foods with different textures and flavors. Start with foods your child is familiar with and slowly introduce new ones. Also, keep the environment calm and free from distractions to help your child focus on eating.
Stick to a Routine
Children with autism often thrive on structure and predictability. This applies to mealtimes as well. Having a consistent routine can help your child feel more comfortable and secure.
Set regular times for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You can also use visual schedules or timers to signal when it’s time to eat.
Tip: Establish a calming pre-meal routine. For example, have your child wash their hands, set the table, or listen to a specific song. This predictability can reduce anxiety and make mealtime feel less overwhelming.
Offer Foods with Familiar and New Choices
Many children with autism are highly selective eaters. They may only want to eat a few specific foods and refuse others. One helpful strategy is to offer a mix of familiar foods and new foods.
This reduces the pressure to try new things while encouraging gradual acceptance of different textures and flavors.
Tip: Try the “one bite rule.” Encourage your child to take just one bite of a new food. Praise them for trying it. If they don’t like it, don’t push it. Over time, they may become more open to trying new foods.
Consider Food Preferences and Aversion
Food aversions in children with autism can be linked to past negative experiences. For example, they may have had an unpleasant reaction to a certain food texture or flavor, leading to an aversion.
In other cases, a child may be sensitive to how certain foods feel in their mouth. This can make them unwilling to eat those foods.
Tip: Be patient and respectful of your child’s food preferences and aversions. Forcing them to eat a particular food can increase stress and resistance. Instead, offer a variety of foods and give them time to explore at their own pace.
Create a Calm Mealtime Environment
A chaotic or noisy environment can make mealtimes even more challenging for children with autism. Sensory overload, from loud sounds or visual distractions, can make it harder for your child to focus on eating.
Creating a calm, quiet mealtime environment can help reduce anxiety and encourage your child to eat.
Tip: Make mealtime a peaceful experience. Reduce background noise, like the TV or loud conversations. Limit distractions like toys or screens that pull your child’s attention away from food.
Use Visual Supports
For some children with autism, using visual supports can be helpful during mealtimes. Visual supports like picture schedules, charts, or food cards can provide structure and reduce anxiety.
They can also help your child understand what’s expected during mealtime, like when it’s time to sit down, eat, and clean up.
Tip: Create a visual chart that shows the steps of a meal: sitting at the table, taking a bite, using utensils, and cleaning up. Visuals reinforce these behaviors in a clear, non-verbal way.
Addressing Picky Eating Habits
Picky eating is common in children with autism. It can be particularly challenging when introducing new foods. Approach picky eating with patience and creativity.
Try to incorporate a variety of healthy foods into your child’s meals, even if they seem hesitant at first. It’s about introducing new foods without overwhelming your child.
Tip: Be creative with food presentation. For example, use cookie cutters to shape sandwiches or arrange food in fun shapes. Making mealtime enjoyable can help reduce stress.
If you’re still struggling with feeding challenges, it might help to seek professional support. A pediatrician, occupational therapist, or nutritionist experienced with autism can offer guidance on how to address your child’s specific needs.
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy can also be beneficial, especially when it comes to improving eating habits and addressing mealtime behaviors.
At Bluebell ABA, we provide personalized support for children with autism. Our in-home ABA therapy and school-based ABA therapy programs can help address feeding challenges, improve mealtime behaviors, and promote overall development.
If you need help supporting your child’s feeding habits, contact us today to learn more about how we can assist!
FAQs
- What should I do if my child refuses to eat certain foods?
It’s important not to force your child to eat something they don’t like. Offer new foods gradually alongside their favorites. Try different textures and preparations. Gradual exposure can help increase acceptance over time.
- How can I help my child eat a more balanced diet?
Offer a variety of healthy foods, even if your child is selective. Focus on making mealtime enjoyable, using visual supports, and providing consistent routines. Over time, this can encourage a broader range of foods.
- Is picky eating a sign of autism?
Picky eating is common in children with autism but is not exclusive to them. It’s often linked to sensory sensitivities, past negative experiences with food, or difficulties with communication. Addressing picky eating with patience and consistency can help.
Sources:
- https://www.autismspeaks.org/expert-opinion/autism-food-refusal-mealtime-tips
- https://www.marcus.org/autism-resources/autism-tips-and-resources/eating-habits-when-to-worry
- https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/behaviour/eating/all-audiences
- https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/about-autism/sensory-processing
- https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/zjdwnk7