How to address food aversions in autism

Food aversions or food sensitivity are not uncommon in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The cause of this is unknown, but it may be due to an inability to process the sensory information from taste buds on their tongue.

This can lead to avoidance behaviors such as avoiding foods that have been associated with negative experiences. It has also been suggested that some people with ASD avoid certain textures because they find them unpleasant. Some individuals will even refuse to eat if there is no one else around to help feed them.

READ MORE: Healthy Snacks for Children with Autism. 

What is food aversion?

Aversion refers to any behavior where someone avoids something for fear of experiencing discomfort or pain. Children with autism may develop ritualistic eating habits and can become very picky about what they choose to eat. They often prefer bland foods like white rice over other types of grains. Many parents report that their child refuses to try new foods until they become familiar with them.

Food aversions can occur at different times during childhood development. For example, toddlers who do not yet speak well might only want to drink milk, while older children may start refusing solid foods. In addition, children with autism tend to dislike sweet tastes more than others.

What causes food aversion in autistic kids?

There isn't enough research on why exactly these behaviors happen, but there are theories. One theory suggests that an imbalance between serotonin levels and dopamine levels causes these symptoms. Also, another study found that when mothers were asked to rate how much pleasure their babies experienced after feeding, those with high-functioning autism had lower scores compared to controls. Another possible explanation could be related to the fact that many children with autism experience gastrointestinal problems which can make them feel sick.

How does food aversion affect my kid's health?

The most obvious effect of food aversion is weight loss. If your child doesn't get adequate nutrition through his diet, he won't grow properly. He may also suffer from malnutrition which can result in poor growth and cognitive impairment.

Other effects include:

• Poor dental hygiene – Poor oral hygiene leads to tooth decay and gum disease. These conditions can eventually require root canal treatment.
• Gastrointestinal issues - Gastroesophageal reflux disease occurs when stomach acid flows back into the esophagus, causing heartburn and chest pains.
• Mental disorders – A lack of nutrients can impact brain function leading to mental illnesses including depression and anxiety.
• Other physical ailments – Anorexia nervosa, bulimia, diabetes, celiac disease, lactose intolerance, iron deficiency, vitamin B12 deficiencies, thyroid dysfunction, and zinc deficiency all stem from inadequate intake of essential vitamins and minerals.

How to help your kid overcome food aversions?

Here are some ways in which you can help a picky eater:

• Offer variety when feeding your child. If possible, offer several kinds of fruit and veggies so that your child does not get bored with their meals. You could also add spices to your meal preparation to make it interesting.
• Avoid using force-feeding techniques. Force-feeding involves forcing your child to take bites out of their favorite foods. While this method works sometimes, it usually backfires since kids don't enjoy being forced into doing things against their wishes. Instead, encourage your child by praising them whenever they try new foods.
• Make sure your kid doesn't have any medical issues. A lot of kids with autism experience gastrointestinal problems, including constipation and diarrhea. These conditions can affect how much food they consume. Make sure that your child's doctor checks their stool regularly. Also, talk to your pediatrician before introducing new foods to see whether they recommend adding anything special to your diet.
• Give your child time to adjust to new foods. Most kids with autism need time to learn to accept new foods. Give them plenty of opportunities to sample new foods without pressure. Try giving them small portions first, then gradually increasing the amount each day.
• Don't get angry with them. Kids with autism are sensitive to criticism and punishment. So instead of scolding them for rejecting a particular type of food, praise them for trying new ones.
• Take it slow with testing. When introducing new foods, wait a few days after starting to give them a chance to adapt to the change. Don't rush through the introduction phase. Your child needs time to figure out if they like the new food or not.
• Make it fun and play with new types of food. Play games together while cooking or baking. Encourage your child to use his imagination while preparing food. Let them pretend they are a chef making delicious dishes.
• Be careful with textures. Some people find certain textures difficult to handle. This is especially true for those with sensory processing disorders. To avoid accidentally hurting your child, be extra gentle when handling food items such as fruits and vegetables.

Involve your child with autism in the cooking process

This can teach your kid about nutrition and healthy eating habits. They may even develop an interest in learning more about healthy diets.

If they have trouble accepting different tastes, consider getting them involved in taste tests. Ask them what flavors they like best and why. Then prepare various combinations of these ingredients and let them choose one flavor over another.

Encouraging children with autism to cook will help them gain confidence in themselves. It will also allow you to spend quality time together.

Tips for making cooking fun for your kid

• Get creative. Use colors, shapes, music, and other tools to make cooking enjoyable. For example, you could create a recipe book where every page has a picture on it. You can add pictures of all kinds of recipes from around the world or you can draw pictures of the steps needed to complete a dish.
• Use props. If your child likes playing dress-up, ask them to wear a costume while helping you bake cookies.
• Get crafty. Have your child decorate cookie cutters using icing or frosting. Or maybe he would enjoy painting designs onto cupcakes.
• Have them doodle. Draw pictures of favorite meals or snacks. He might want to write down some ideas for future meals.
• Ask questions. Asking your child questions about food preparation helps them understand things better.

Therapy for food aversions

Aversion therapies involve exposing kids with an autism spectrum disorder to their fears by gradually increasing exposure to feared objects/situations until they no longer fear them. The goal is to reduce anxiety associated with specific situations that cause distress.

The most common aversion treatment involves desensitization. In this approach, patients learn to tolerate increasingly intense stimuli without experiencing negative emotional responses. Desensitizing treatments usually start with very small exposures to the object/situation being avoided.

This process can help alleviate food aversions because it teaches individuals how to cope with the situation instead of avoiding it altogether.

Desensitize foods slowly. Start out with just a few bites at first. Gradually increase the amount eaten each day. Avoid giving your child too much at once, so they don't feel overwhelmed.

READ MORE: Best Supplements & Vitamins for Autism. 

Conclusion

Although food aversions are common among people with ASD, there isn't enough research available to determine if they occur more frequently than in typical populations. However, parents should be aware that many children with ASD avoid certain types of food due to sensory issues. This avoidance behavior often leads to weight loss and malnutrition.

Image credit: Unsplash.