Sensory Sensitivities: My Child With Autism Won't Eat

When a child with autism has difficulties with eating, it can be due to a variety of reasons, including sensory sensitivities, routine rigidity, or difficulties with new textures and tastes. Addressing these eating challenges requires patience and strategic approaches. Today I share some tips for helping a child with autism who won't eat, as well as some ways a professional might help, and some easy recipes.

Understand Sensory Sensitivities

Children with autism often have sensory processing challenges that affect how they perceive food. Certain textures, smells, or even the appearance of food can be overwhelming.

• Tip: Identify the sensory triggers. Keep a food journal to track which types of foods or sensory elements (e.g., crunchy, mushy, strong smells) they avoid or prefer
• Tip: Gradually introduce new textures. Start by adding small amounts of a new texture to a preferred food and slowly increase the amount over time.

Create a Comfortable Mealtime Environment

A calm and predictable eating environment can help reduce stress and encourage eating.

• Tip: Minimize distractions. It's best to minimize distractions such as loud music or TV during mealtimes.
• Tip: Stick to a consistent routine. Serve meals at the same time and place each day to build comfort and predictability.

Offer Sensory-Friendly Utensils and Plates

The sensory experience isn’t just about the food—it includes how it’s presented and eaten.

• Tip: Use utensils and plates that are sensory-friendly. Choose ones with bright colors or textured grips that the child finds comfortable.
• Tip: Try plates with portion wells. Try different types of plates, such as ones with divided sections, to separate foods and avoid overwhelming the child.

Introduce New Foods Gradually

Children with autism may be resistant to change and new foods can be intimidating.

• Tip: Start small. Introduce tiny portions of a new food alongside a familiar one. Celebrate even small steps like touching or smelling the new food.
• Tip: Try "food chaining." Use a step-by-step approach called “food chaining,” where you build on a food they already like by gradually changing it. For example, if they like plain pasta, introduce pasta with a mild sauce next.

Avoid Power Struggles

Forcing a child to eat or making mealtime stressful can increase food aversions.

• Tip: Keep mealtimes positive and low-pressure. Offer praise for small achievements, even if they don't eat the food but interact with it in some way.
• Tip: Give choices! Give them some control by offering choices, such as picking between two different foods. This helps them feel more in control and less resistant.

Involve the Child in Meal Prep

Getting a child involved in preparing their meals can encourage interest in trying new foods.

• Tip: Make it age-appropriate. Let them help with age-appropriate tasks like washing vegetables or stirring ingredients. The exposure without pressure can make them more inclined to try the food.
• Tip: Help make it engaging. Create fun shapes or arrangements with food that may be more appealing visually.

Work on Oral Motor Skills if Needed

Sometimes it isn't the food that is the issue. Some children with autism may have challenges with the physical process of eating, such as chewing or swallowing.

• Tip: Get an assessment. Consult with an occupational therapist or speech therapist who specializes in feeding issues to help strengthen oral motor skills
• Tip: Build those skills! Introduce foods that promote oral development, such as chewy or crunchy snacks if the child is comfortable with those textures.

Use Visual Supports

Visual schedules and cues can help children with autism understand what to expect during mealtimes.

• Tip: Try visual cues. Use a picture schedule that shows each step of the mealtime process, from washing hands to sitting down and taking a bite.
• Tip: Build a menu. Create a visual menu of foods they can choose from. This adds an element of fun and helps build predictability.

Encourage Slow Progress and Patience

Change takes time, especially for children with autism. Celebrate any progress, no matter how small.

• Tip: Progress can be slow. Be patient and avoid expecting immediate results. Consistency is key.
• Tip: Analyze the results. Document progress with a chart or notes to track what works and what doesn’t, helping refine your approach.

Consult a Specialist

If eating issues are persistent and significantly impact the child's nutrition or health, consulting with professionals like pediatricians, dietitians, or feeding therapists is essential. Don't be afraid to reach out for help when things get tough.

• Tip: Strategies can be individualized. A feeding therapist can provide tailored strategies and support to address the child’s specific challenges.
• Tip: Nutrition is important! A registered dietitian can help ensure that nutritional needs are met through creative alternatives or supplements

Conclusion

Helping a child with autism who won’t eat because of sensory sensitivities can be challenging, but with the right strategies and patience, progress is possible. Understanding their sensory needs, keeping mealtimes stress-free, and gradually introducing new foods are all important steps. Don’t hesitate to reach out for guidance at DrCarosso@aol.com or on Facebook. Or check out some additional reading about how we treat Autism.

Bonus Post: When to Enlist a Therapist, Plus Some Tested Recipes

Sometimes, you need to enlist a professional to make sure you are meeting your child where they are ability-wise. Here are some detailed strategies and recipe ideas tailored for children with autism who have sensory sensitivities or feeding challenges:

Therapies for Feeding Challenges

Therapy 1: Feeding Therapy with Occupational or Speech Therapists.

Feeding therapy is designed to help children who struggle with eating due to sensory, motor, or behavioral challenges. Therapists use techniques that target the underlying issues, such as desensitizing oral sensitivities or improving motor skills. These techniques are similar to the tips I shared earlier, because they have a history of success regardless of who implements them. Some techniques the therapist might suggest include:

1. Desensitization Techniques: Therapists may gradually introduce different textures to help a child become more comfortable with varied food experiences, using tactile play with non-food items or sensory activities like finger painting with puree.
2. Oral Motor Exercises: These exercises strengthen the muscles involved in chewing and swallowing, helping children who may struggle with these functions.
3. Positive Reinforcement and Play-Based Techniques: Therapists often use play to make food exploration fun and non-threatening, encouraging interaction with foods in ways that don’t require immediate eating.

Therapy 2: Behavioral Therapy

Behavioral interventions can help address food aversions and refusal. Techniques include:

1. Gradual Exposure (Food Chaining): Gradually change a preferred food to introduce new flavors or textures step-by-step.
2. Reinforcement Strategies: Use rewards for trying new foods or engaging in desired eating behaviors.
3. Modeling and Peer Interaction: Watching others eat the same foods can sometimes encourage children to try them.

Recipes for Children with Sensory Sensitivities

Getting your child to eat well is a challenge for all parents. Here are some simple recipes that can help round out your child's nutrition while also incorporating some of the tips I shared for children with Autism who may have food aversions.

Smoothies can be a great way to pack nutrients into a sensory-friendly form. You can adjust the consistency to suit your child’s preferences.

It is not uncommon for kiddos with Autism to be attracted to processed foods that have a consistent taste and predictable texture. Homemade chicken nuggets are perfect for kids who prefer familiar, crispy textures but may benefit from healthier homemade versions.

Sometimes it's about packaging unfamiliar things in a familiar form. For kids who prefer crunchy textures, veggie chips can be an excellent alternative to standard potato chips.

Pizza can be a well-loved childhood staple. DIY Mini Pizzas Pizzas can be customized with toppings and textures that your child is comfortable with, allowing them to experiment at their own pace.

Sometimes, something simple that resembles a "treat" will get the best traction for new experiences. Popsicles are great for introducing new flavors in a cold, smooth format that many children with sensory challenges find enjoyable.

Some Additional Tips for Sensory Sensitivities

Some last parting tips to help any picky eater, but especially a child with Autism who may struggle with sensory eating issues.:

1. Temperature Control: Some children with sensory sensitivities prefer food at specific temperatures. Experiment with serving foods warmer or colder to find what’s most comfortable
2. Presentation Matters: The way food looks can be as important as how it tastes. Use fun shapes, bento-style containers, or colorful plates to make food more visually appealing
3. Introduce New Foods Outside Mealtime: Allow your child to explore new foods in a non-meal context, such as playing with raw vegetables during an activity or helping prepare ingredients.

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