Autism and Picky Eating

Autism and picky eating. Most parents know this struggle very well. I have come across parents of Autistic kids who will only eat certain foods and absolutely nothing else. Every time their child tries something new and likes it, they rejoice. Why? Why is eating so difficult for some kids with Autism?

Take for instance my son. Aiden has a large diet for someone with Autism. He loves carrots and broccoli, but won't eat any other vegetable. He loves chicken nuggets, hot dogs, and beef, but regular chicken is a struggle. After he eats it he remembers he likes it, but any other meat, he refuses to eat. Aiden likes goldfish and would probably do back flips for a bag of chips or pretzels, other snack foods no. I am lucky enough to have a child who loves fruit, especially apples. He will eat grapes, downs fruit squeezers like a champ, and drinks his fair share of juice. He can't stand cheese or milk, but will eat pizza and loves to drink milkshakes. He refuses macaroni and cheese, but one of his favorites is spaghetti and garlic bread. Funny enough he refuses to eat Spaghetti O's or Chef Boyardee. Aiden usually does not eat breakfast, but on occasion I can convince him to eat cereal or a breakfast bar. We always supplement his diet with Pediasure or a nutritional drink.

How do I cope with it? I just try to feed him different foods. The best I can do is put food on the plate and try to get him to eat it. Sometimes I succeed. I always tell him he has to eat one bite before I give him something else. If he fights it then I try not to push. Sometimes it can be hard not to take it personally. We're parents, but we certainly are not perfect.

It is important to rule out gastrointestinal issues with foods. Children with Autism may not feel hunger pains like we do. Some children may be able to ignore these sensations since they do not come on strongly. Another issue is abdominal pain as a reaction to certain foods. My son will eat broccoli, but not every child can handle this food without gas and bloating. These painful side effects can keep children from eating certain foods, which may make them appear to be picky. We are working on our own gastro issues with Aiden. Our doctor recently ordered blood testing for a rare type of calcium intolerance.

That is not our only struggle. Texture issues can be a huge hurdle to overcome. Smells of certain foods can be a large contributor to picky eating. Sensory Processing Disorder can be an unavoidable road to picky eating. Some children struggle with the act of swallowing and an OT therapist can help with this particular issue.

Should you be concerned? Initial doctor reports say no. Children with Autism, who experience picky eating are still meeting their dietary needs. Aiden is on track with his weight and growth according to our pediatrician. If your child is not on track your doctor will intervene with strategies and proper diet planning. Before you put your child on any kind of special or restrictive diet you need to consult your doctor. Cutting out certain foods without guidance can be devastating to your child's well being. If you have questions about Gluten and GFCF diets, please consider reading my blog on the topic and discuss this diet with your doctor.

Other articles for your consideration:
Seven Ways to Help a Picky Eater
Mealtime and Children on the Autism Spectrum
Picky Eating by Autistic Kids Won't Affect Growth
Fussy Eaters and Autism Fact Sheet