Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a condition that impacts social interaction and the ability to communicate. Luckily, several treatment options such as behavior, occupational, and speech therapy lessens the severity of autism symptoms. Some forms of treatment even require medication to resolve food aversions and specific meal preferences, a common symptom of individuals with ASD.
Nutrition is critical for every growing child. For children with autism, it can be slightly tricky to get all the nutrients they need to develop healthily. You can see a change in your autistic child’s diet: refusing to eat new food, stopping eating baby food, or refusing to nurse. While some of these issues relate to behavioral patterns, working with a therapist can change your child’s approach to eating.
This food aversion is what leads to increasing gastrointestinal issues. These issues mainly stem from the fact that children can’t express their discomfort to their parents. It’s not unheard of that children with autism suffer from sensory processing disorders and doesn’t like certain textures, smells, and tastes. Not eating properly is one of the main reasons why children with autism don’t get sufficient nutrients. Some of the issues people with autism struggle with are chronic diarrhea, constipation, and a tendency to restrict food choices. In addition, individuals with autism do not process nutrients in the expected ways.
READ MORE: Healthy Snacks for Children with Autism.
Help your child keep healthy nutrition with these tips. Learn why autistic people have food aversions and how to make it better, why they need dietary supplements and vitamins to grow, and how you can instill healthy behaviors in them. You will also discover tips for starting on a regular diet and how it improves autism symptoms:
- Enhanced language abilities and communication
- Enhanced social skills
- Reduced repetitive or problematic behaviors
- Lower levels of irritability
- Better quality of sleep
- Increased attention span
