Autism & Eating

It is common for children with Autism and other developmental, emotional, or behavioral difficulties to have limited food preferences.  Symptoms may go as far as vomiting, refusal to eat, interference with psychosocial functioning, malnutrition, dependence on nutrition supplements and weight loss. This can be stressful for many parents who are trying to keep their children adequately nourished. 

The Sequential-Oral-Sensory (SOS) Approach to Feeding identifies key differences between a “problem feeder” and a “picky eater”. For example, problem feeders may have less than 20 foods in which they consistently eat and if they “burn out” on a food, they will not eat this food again. Picky eaters will have more than 20 foods in their food inventory and if they “burn out” on a food, they will typically eat it again after a few weeks.

Problem feeders may refuse entire food groups or texture groups (fruits, meats, puree) whereas picky eaters will eat at least one food from all food and texture groups. Problem feeders will often have “meltdowns” when new foods are introduced, whereas picky eaters typically tolerate new foods on their plate, even if reluctantly. To learn more about this approach, visit https://sosapproachtofeeding.com/. 

Treating children with feeding disorders is often a multidisciplinary approach. Parents concerned with their child’s feeding should always consult a pediatrician or a licensed professional. These specialists may include the physician, dietitian, occupational therapist, speech language pathologist or psychologist. 

It is our job as parents and professionals to work together in order to create a trusting environment to show children that meal-time can be enjoyed and celebrated. The child decides how much they are willing to eat and how they will interact with certain foods. This may sound controversial, but adults make these independent decisions every day. For example, some adults choose not to interact with fried insects, while others treat them as a delicacy. The more a person interacts with a food (being around the food and watching others enjoy the food in a no pressure environment) the more likely they are to  try it. It is also our job as adults to create a trusting environment filled with opportunities for children to explore foods and learn what they enjoy. Keep in mind, it can take up to 10 separate taste trials of a food before a person forms a taste preference for that food.

Creating a comfortable learning environment for feeding can sometimes be tricky. Along with consulting your healthcare provider, you may find the following tips helpful when introducing foods to your child. 

Tips for expanding your child’s palate, with trust :

Red flags:

Is my child a candidate for intervention?  

If you have concerns about your child’s feeding, please alert your physician and speak to a professional. Keep a food journal to track his or her eating behaviors and a 3 day food log, and bring these observations to your child’s healthcare provider. You can find further resources on our website, including scheduling an appointment ( here ). You can also visit the American Speech, Language and Hearing Association website to read more about feeding disorders in children here , or the University of Florida Center for Autism and Related Diseases (UF-CARD) here. 

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