What Causes Food Selectivity In Autistic Kids?

It’s common for autistic kids to be picky eaters.

In typically developing kids, picky eating can be a phase that children go through.

It’s common for toddlers, for example, to experiment with autonomy by saying “no” to certain foods that they might not like the look of.

However, if your child is autistic, picky eating may not be something they grow out of.

Autistic children can benefit from pediatric occupational therapy.

At Little Feet Therapy, we specialize in pediatric therapy that can support your autistic child in many ways.

One of these is through occupational therapy for food selectivity in autistic children.

Read on to learn more about food selectivity in autistic children and how occupational therapy for children can help.

Why Are Autistic Kids Often Picky Eaters?

When it comes to autistic kids, it’s common for them to experience food selectivity.

Food selectivity happens when your autistic kid only eats a limited variety of foods.

For example, they may refuse to eat fruits and vegetables.

Instead, they might prefer foods that are simple and starchy.

There are many reasons why autistic kids are more likely to be picky eaters.

Many autistic kids who are picky eaters benefit from therapies such as occupational therapy.

Your child’s occupational therapist can support you and your child by creating a plan for introducing a larger variety of food in their diet.

But first, let’s take a look at some of the reasons your autistic kid might be a picky eater.

They May Have Digestive Issues

It’s not uncommon for autistic children to have digestive issues.

A 2015 study by Wasilewska and Klukowski mentions the current general consensus that autistic children are at greater risk of digestive disorders.

Having digestive issues can make it more challenging for your child to try new foods.

They might already know which foods are “safe” and will not hurt their stomach.

Trying other foods can cause anxiety over how those foods might make them feel, so they simply avoid them.

Avoiding foods that make your child’s digestive system feel bad might not be a conscious decision, either.

However, limiting certain foods and nutrients can also have a negative impact on your child’s digestion.

That’s why it’s important to support your child in trying new foods and adding variety to their diet.

There are many possible reasons why autistic people might be more prone to digestive issues.

Unfortunately, this phenomenon isn’t fully understood yet.

They May Like Predictability

Autistic kids often thrive on predictability.

If your child is autistic, it’s likely that they prefer the same routine day to day.

They might want the same textured clothes every day, the same plan for the day every day, or to always have a schedule so they can predict how their day is going to go.

Autistic children often need to be prepared in advance for changes to their usual day or schedule.

But did you know this need for predictability can occur with foods, too?

Think about a package of blueberries.

Every blueberry you eat will be a little bit different.

Some might be harder or squishier and some might be sweeter or sourer.

For most autistic kids, this makes food like fruits and vegetables really challenging to eat because they can’t predict the taste or texture of the food.

Now think about a box of chicken nuggets.

These are processed foods that are the same every time you eat them.

They’ll have the same texture and the same seasoning every single bite.

For autistic kids, chicken nuggets can be comforting and predictable, just like their day to day routine.

In general, processed foods are almost always more predictable.

That’s because they’re literally designed to be the same every time.

Of course, they also often lack nutrients that your autistic kid needs.

They May Have Sensory Processing Differences

Many autistic kids also have something called sensory processing disorder.

This means they have a difference in how their brain process the inputs it gets from one or more of their senses.

Some autistic kids are sensory seekers, or hyposensitive to sensory input.

This means that they might not react to certain kinds of sensory input, like an ice cube being put down their back.

Autistic kids who are sensory seekers often search for ways to give themselves stronger sensory input.

This can include things like spinning in circles, spending time on swings or enjoying fast moving things like roller coasters, or seeking out loud sounds.

Other autistic kids can be sensory avoidant, or hypersensitive to sensory input.

This means that even relatively small amount of sensory input can cause them stress, anxiety, and strong reactions.

RELATED ARTICLE: How Does Sensory Processing Disorder Affect Mental Health In Kids?

If your autistic kid is sensory avoidant, they might need to wear noise cancelling headphones in noisier places, or gag over certain smells.

Many autistic kids who experience sensory processing differences might also be a combination of sensory seekers and sensory avoiders, depending on the type of sensory input.

But did you know that the foods they eat can be determined by their sensory experiences?

If your autistic kid is avoidant, they might prefer soft and creamy foods, like baby food.

These foods don’t require much chewing and are the same every time.

If your kid is a sensory seeker, on the other hand, they might prefer food like chips, that are crunchy and loud.

Either way, sensory processing differences can heavily influence the way your autistic child experiences food.

They May Not Like Sitting Still At Mealtime

Another reason your autistic child might have difficulty with certain foods is actually unrelated to food itself.

Some autistic kids simply have difficulty sitting still throughout an entire meal.

The less your child eats, the sooner they can get up and move around.

This might be especially true if your autistic child also has ADHD.

RELATED: Pediatric Therapy For ADHD

What Risks Are There With Food Selectivity?

Unfortunately, food selectivity can come with risks.

It can impact your child’s nutrition when their food intake is restricted due to their selectivity.

For autistic kids who are picky eaters, they risk deficiency in certain vitamins and minerals that they might not be getting naturally through their diet.

This may lead to childhood developmental delays due to poor nutrition.

Many autistic kids prefer foods that are starchy and more processed.

This can put your child at risk of long term problems such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes as they get older.

Food selectivity can also have more immediate risks.

Autistic kids with food selectivity might be at risk of constipation, deficiencies in necessary vitamins and minerals, and poor bone growth.

However, there are ways to support your child with eating a wider variety of foods.

This can improve their health and decrease their risk of developing health issues as a result of their diet.

Let’s take a look at how occupational therapy can help your autistic child with their eating.

How Can An Occupational Therapist Help?

When you hear the word occupational therapist, you probably don’t immediately think about feeding and food related behaviors.

However, occupational therapists are experts at working with children to improve their independence when it comes to eating and feeding.

This includes helping to increase the variety of foods your child eats.

Let’s take a closer look at the process.

1. Consultation With Your Child’s Primary Caregivers

The first step of the process involves your child’s occupational therapist speaking with you and your child’s other primary caregivers.

Speaking with caregivers can help your child’s occupational therapist paint a clear picture of your child’s eating habits.

While food selectivity is common in autistic children, every child is different.

Your child’s occupational therapist may ask you questions about things like:

• Your child’s medical history
• How many different foods your child eats
• How your child acts during mealtimes
• What foods your child eats
• Where your child typically eats

This helps your child occupational therapist understand your child’s specific needs.

2. Creating A Treatment Plan

Your child’s occupational therapist will compile all the information gathered to figure out where to start.

Usually, your child’s occupational therapist will compare all the foods your child is comfortable eating.

This helps them determine the similarities between foods and can guide them to similar foods to start expanding your child’s diet with.

For example, if your child eats mostly dry, brown foods such as crackers, cereal, and bread, your occupational therapist may start there.

Your child’s occupational therapist might start by working on some other similar foods, such as bagels or cookies.

Once your child has gotten comfortable with more dry, brown foods, your child’s occupational therapist might expand to foods with other textures that are the same color.

They might support your child with trying plain macaroni, for example.

Eventually, this will progress to expanding the number and types of foods that your child will tolerate or consider safe.

However, it might take some time and many therapy sessions.

3. Food Selectivity Pediatric Therapy Sessions

During therapy sessions, your child’s occupational therapist will likely ask you to provide a couple of your child’s safe foods and a couple other, similar options.

Your child’s occupational therapist will then work with your child to grow accustomed to the new foods.

This can include steps like:

• Offering all foods in small portions on a divided plate
• Encouraging your child to touch the food
• Encouraging your child to bring the food to their face
• Encouraging your child to take a bite of the food
• Offering foods at various temperatures

All of these steps are designed to make very small changes to the foods offered to your child.

Eventually, this can encourage them to try new foods.

Book Your Appointment With Little Feet Therapy Today

If your autistic child has food selectivity, our team of pediatric therapists can help.

Occupational therapy for food selectivity at Little Feet Therapy can get your child’s diet on the right track.

Book your appointment with Little Feet Therapy, to find out more or to get started today.