Mealtime can be challenging for families with children, but it can be an adventure for those with children who have sensory processing issues. Of course, it’s common for young children to be picky. Atypical eating may not be a passing phase for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), but rather a chronic and extreme condition.
According to research, up to 96 percent of children with autism have feeding issues. Feeding issues in children can be stressful for both the child and the parents. Understanding what is causing children’s rigid eating behaviors is the first step toward allowing them to become more comfortable with new foods and making mealtime more relaxed for everyone.
What are feeding problems?
1. Medical Conditions
When a child on the autism spectrum has eating problems, the first place a parent should go is to a pediatric gastroenterologist, who can rule out organic causes. The following are some of the more common GI issues that children may encounter.
● Acid reflux is a condition in which stomach contents slosh up into the esophagus (tube that goes from the mouth down to the stomach).
● Constipation is caused by either a restricted diet or a delay in toileting.
● Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is an allergic swallowing disorder that causes a child to feel like he or she is choking.
● Diarrhea may be caused by a lack of absorption of certain sugars or by rapid transit through the GI tract, which does not allow enough time for the stool to firm up.
2. Behavioral/Developmental Conditions
Mealtime behaviors that can cause issues for children with ASD and their families include:
● Selective Eating Disorder: A diet consisting of a limited number of foods, sometimes as few as five.
● Pica: an eating disorder characterized by the consumption of non-edible items such as paper or hair.
● Sensory issues with food: a strong preference for foods that feel different in their mouths.
● Food Neophobia: an intense fear of trying new foods.
How to address feeding issues?
1. Get Your Child Involved.
Allow your child to participate in the selection and preparation of meals, even if they will not be able to taste the finished product. Involving your child allows him or her to explore and play with different foods without feeling obligated to eat them.
2. Set a Feeding Schedule and Routine.
Make sure your child eats in the same place and follows the same mealtime routine. Keeping the same time, place, and routine allows your child to anticipate what will happen during mealtimes and what you expect him or her to do.
3. Remember the Rule of 3.
It is critical to provide foods that your child already enjoys as well as foods that he or she does not yet enjoy. A good rule of thumb is to limit yourself to three foods at a time. Include one to two foods that your child already enjoys and one that he or she does not yet enjoy. If your child does not tolerate the new food on his or her plate, place it nearby on a separate plate to help your child get used to the new food.
4. Minimize Distractions.
Distractions such as television can divert attention away from the food and the task at hand. Feed your child only when he or she is attentive and alert.
5. Reward Positive Behaviors.
Praise your child when he or she approaches or tries new foods. Immediate rewards, such as blowing bubbles or receiving a sticker, can be useful in encouraging new feeding behaviors. Remember that rewarding good mealtime behaviors makes them more likely to occur again.
Nurture Pods is here to help! Is your child having trouble with feeding and mealtimes? Nurture Pods provide expertise on restrictive feeding patterns and other food-related issues. We have strategies to support increased acceptance of food options at home and in the community, can offer guidance on reducing family mealtime stress, and can assist in the creation of practical mealtime routines that foster age-appropriate feeding skills.
● Is your child’s diet limited in terms of variety?
● Does your child avoid foods from a particular food group?
● Is your child averse to trying new foods?
● Do you have to prepare several different meals every time?
If you answered yes to one or all of these questions, then consider a consultation meeting with us today!
Written by: Alex Liau
Published on 30 January 2023
