On average, an estimated one in every 44 children has been diagnosed with Autism.
Although this makes it easy to find other like-minded individuals as well as parents experiencing the same challenges, there’s still a lack of general knowledge surrounding the signs of Autism and what it can affect.
For example, Autism can have a huge influence on someone’s diet.
Here are the ways it can affect them.
1. A Resistance to Trying New Foods
Children with Autism usually have a resistance to trying new foods. In fact, that may be the first time a parent notices that their child has special needs — the refusal to try a large amount of food because it’s not familiar to them.
While “fussy eating” is fairly normal in any child, it often goes beyond that for children who have Autism. A balanced eating plan is hard because they may even reject whole categories of foods, such as fruit or vegetables.
It’s important to remember that for the child, this is an aversion they can’t help.
2. A Fixation on Certain Foods
As well as avoiding new foods, there might be certain ones they fixate on. Their food choices may always revolve around their favorites, and often these are very simple foods such as french fries or something else without extreme flavors or unusual textures.
Chicken nuggets and pasta are other common foods that a child with Autism may fixate on and they generally come to consider these foods “safe” to eat where they don’t feel the same way about other foods.
This can lead to frustration for parents who worry about their children never growing out of this or not eating healthily, causing a whole host of problems later. Enrolling a child in ABA therapy is the best option here, as poorly handling their fixation on their safe foods can make things much worse.
It can become even worse when, however well-intentioned, parents give up on trying to encourage them to try new things through safe, secure, and professionally overseen means.
3. Being Specific About Mealtimes and Surroundings
Children with Autism have been proven to be very reliant on their routines and can become upset by a slight change.
For the most part, this may not be a huge problem for those who stick to the same mealtimes every day. When it does become a problem is if those mealtimes have to change, even for just a short period of time.
They may have to have a meal slightly later or earlier than usual which can make it feel like things are thrown off to a horrible extent for them.
They may also be specific about their surroundings. This can be an issue as it makes it difficult for parents to dine out with their children or when traveling or visiting family, their child may want to eat in the comfort of their own home — which then proves impossible.
That’s one of the many reasons it’s important to manage the signs of Autism in a safe and controlled way, with the advice of a professional. That can prevent these situations from happening.
4. Sensitivity to Textures, Smells, or Tastes
You may be aware that many children with Autism experience sensory overload when it comes to loud noises or bright lights, but it can also happen with food.
There are many things that can cause this. Most commonly, it’s the smell or taste of the food which may be too strong for them. Those with Autism often prefer foods that are slightly more bland instead of extreme sour, smoky, or spicy flavors.
They may also have an aversion to eating new foods just in case it’s too much for them, tying into them relying on their safe foods.
The other problem that can arise with sensitivity is the texture of certain foods. Children with Autism may not want to eat something that they deem as too wet, slimy, or another texture that doesn’t feel quite right to them — the possibilities are almost endless.
5. Nutritional Deficiencies
What happens as a result of all these issues is that children with Autism have nutritional deficiencies, and parents are right to be concerned about that as a result of their habits.
Studies have found that those with Autism have a calcium and Vitamin D deficiency compared to those who don’t have it. Their aversion to certain foods means they don’t get everything they need, and parents often don’t know what to do to ensure they get a balanced eating plan.
It’s important to be proactive and try to head these nutritional deficiencies off before they happen, as they’re much easier to prevent than cure. ABA therapy can teach vital skills and behaviors to your child so they can open up to new diets and try new things.
Be Aware of What Autism Can Do to a Diet
It’s important to be aware of what Autism can do to a diet. If you have a child who is Autistic, you need to bear it in mind so you know to look out for the signs and handle them in an appropriate way.
Even if you don’t believe you have an Autistic child, knowing the difference between a picky eater and one who is suffering from sensory issues and other things that stem from Autism could help you learn more about them.
The best way to help a child with Autism is through ABA therapy, often described as the gold-standard treatment. If you’re ready for in-home treatment, contact us today to get started on the path to potential.