Why is my child on the spectrum so fussy with food?
Why is my child on the spectrum so fussy with food?
A child with ASD is more likely to be a fussy eater than their neurotypical peers. It is estimated that 72% of children with ASD eat a narrow range of foods. Most typically this preference is for white food (bread, plain pasta, and chicken) and often favours a specific texture such as only crunchy or soft food.
It is important to understand that this is quite common in children with ASD and is one of a range of sensory issues children on the spectrum can have. As parents we seem to be more accepting of other sensory issues because they are not linked to your child’s health. Our feelings that feeding our children well is an emotional trigger for us, which is linked to our values as being a “good parent”.
Studies have found that children with ASD are more likely to lack iron, folate, b12, zinc, calcium, magnesium, and specific amino-acids. However, how do we rectify these nutritional deficiencies when the introduction of new foods can cause behavioural problems such as ‘melt downs’.
Firstly, let’s get real. Weigh your child and graph them on their expected weight/height/age charts (found in your child’s blue book or on-line). If they are within their healthy weight range, then take a step back and breathe! If their weight is below the expected range talk to you doctor about a supplement such as Sustagen, which will assist your child in getting all the vitamins and minerals they need whilst you continue to broaden their food ‘likes’.
Following on from this, devise a strategy that may work based on other techniques you may have seen work in therapy.
· Does your child respond to visuals?
· Do they respond to social stories?
At this stage I need to inform parents about specific feeding programs for neurotypical children based around food aversions and food play such as SOS feeding. These programs are highly effective but may not be the answer for a child on the spectrum. Before seeking these out try some simple techniques such as First…Then visuals. You will have seen these used in therapy sessions and the basic principle is to first try this one small piece of (strawberry) before you then get your favourite white plain pasta. Don’t expect that change will happen quickly and only introduce one new food at a time. In one meal if you get one piece of strawberry (or whatever food you are introducing) into their mouth and the rest is still pain pasta then great job. Praise and build on this success at the next meal. Your speech pathologist will be able to help you with a set of visuals that will be specifically tailored to your child to be used at mealtimes. A fantastic way to help this be successful is to send the speech pathologist photos of your table, food your child loves and foods you are trying to introduce.
Think laterally – if your child loves crunchy food what about trying dehydrated strawberries or dried banana? I have seen a child eat snow peas because they were cut up into small pieces and put into the child’s favourite yogurt. Remember just because we don’t usually present food that way does not mean it is not worth a try.
Lastly, do some reading and join some parent groups specifically for parents with children on the spectrum. These are often a great source to get some helpful tips and support. Below is an article I recommend but a simple google search will give you many other options.
www.autismspeaks.org/expert-opinion/autism-and-food-aversions
Feeding your child well is a highly emotive and anxiety ridden topic for parents with ASD children. Please remember routines and aversion to routine change is a core characteristic of ASD so changing food every day is a very difficult thing for your child. If you would like some one-on-one support our counsellor at Necessity Kids maybe worth considering otherwise, please chat to the speech team about more tips and ideas.
Jenny Hill
Senior Speech Pathologist
Clinical Director
