Eating a varied diet can be a challenging task for some people with autism.
Some autistic people:
- eat a limited variety of foods
- over-eat or do not eat enough
- find it difficult to eat outside the home in places such as work or school
As a result, they may go for long periods of time without eating.
Issues such as these can cause individuals and families a lot of stress and worry.
Tips to help with trying new foods
There are many ways to help your autistic child try different foods.
Introducing new foods
Before your child tastes a new food they need to feel comfortable with how it looks, smells and feels. Introduce new foods or textures to them in small steps at their own pace and with their permission.
Do
-
create a safe, predictable environment
-
have a rule that meals and snacks are eaten sitting at the table
-
follow a routine of 3 meals and 2-3 snacks at scheduled times
-
include at least one food your child likes at every meal
-
keep the environment calm as stress can reduce your appetite
-
adjust the environment to suit their sensory preferences, such as dimming lights, or using a cushion on a hard chair
-
use relaxation techniques like playing music to reduce anxiety
Don't
-
force them to taste or eat a particular food
-
hide new foods in accepted foods as this will “contaminate” the accepted food
-
have distractions such as technology in the room
Role modelling
It can help if you model the behaviour you want to encourage in your child. This can work better than persuasion or coaxing. To role model healthy eating you can:
- keep healthy foods visible
- let your child see you eating regular meals and making healthy food choices
- eat together as a family as much as possible.
- be positive about food even if you don’t particularly like it
- be aware of your reactions to food, including facial expressions
Communication
It is important that you communicate clearly and calmly in a way that your autistic child can understand.
Social stories
Use social stories to help autistic children understand why we eat and the role of different foods in the body. For example, you can explain that food gives us energy to play and move, and that milk and yoghurt makes our bones strong.
Visual meal plan
Some autistic people prefer visual information. Use a meal plan with pictures to help them know when, what, and where they will be eating.
Food exploration without pressure
Encourage your child to get involved with food beyond eating it.
This can include:
- messy food play
- helping with food shopping and meal preparation
- serving food to others
- clearing plates after meals
Support
The Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute has information on strategies to help children explore food.
Supporting your child to learn to eat new foods - INDI
When to get help
Do not worry if your child is growing well and eating a few foods from each of the main food groups. These are carbohydrates, proteins, dairy, and fruit or vegetables.
Non-urgent advice: Talk to a GP or dietitian if your child:
- is losing weight or not growing well
- is gaining weight rapidly and above a healthy weight
- eats less than 10-20 different foods
- Avoids whole food groups, for example eating no protein or dairy
- is constipated
- shows signs of vitamin or mineral deficiencies, such as being pale, lacking energy, or eating non-food items (PICA)
- shows signs of an eating disorder
Avoidant restrictive food intake disorder
In some cases an autistic person's eating challenges may develop into an eating disorder called avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID).
Community teams can often support and help autistic people with ARFID. If this doesn't help you can ask your team or GP for a referral to a psychologist, paediatrician or psychiatrist.
Understanding ARFID - bodywhys.ie