Autism and Picky Eating

Author：Juliann Garey
childmind.org/article/autism-and-picky-eating

It’s common for kids on the autism spectrum to have problems with eating. This can make it hard to get them to eat a healthy range of foods. And it can cause a lot of conflict at mealtime. 

To work on picky eating, the first step is having a doctor rule out stomach issues that might be causing it.

Kids with autism may experience a number of different issues with food. They may prefer foods that feel a certain way in their mouth, like crunchy foods or soft foods. Kids who only eat soft foods may have weak jaw muscles that make eating chewier food unpleasant. Sitting still and behaving safely at mealtimes can also be a challenge for them.

To help a child with autism be less picky about eating, start by choosing one goal. Is it increasing the number of foods your child will eat? The amount they eat? Sitting at the table longer? Everyone in the child’s home and school needs to know what the goal is.

Then, take baby steps and give your child lots of praise. When trying new foods, start with a tiny amount. Then praise your child a lot for taking a bite. If the goal is to sit at the table for 10 minutes, praise them for that. Don’t push for another 10. Be patient and keep trying. This will get better even if progress is slow.

Change is hard for kids on the spectrum, so they might throw tantrums when their eating routines change. Ignoring these tantrums usually helps reduce them. Take action only when the child’s behavior is dangerous.