Nutrition in Autism (2210)

Many children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) only eat a few different foods. This is known as a limited diet. There are many reasons why this happens.  

• Struggle with change. They have a drive to want things to be the same.
• Sensory aversions: this is when a child has a problem with the sight, smell, taste, or texture of a food. 

Where to start?

Set a mealtime schedule and routine.   

• Have your child eat at the same place. Follow the same mealtime and snack schedule each day.
• Provide comfortable and supportive seat.

Choose a goal

What about feeding would you like to focus on first?

• Change the amount of food eaten 
• Add a missing food group 
• Add more foods to a food group 
• Change how often they eat
• Other challenges you have

General tips for feeding 

The tips below can be done in any order. If you are doing some of these things add in more as you can. 

Start small 

• At mealtimes offer a small amount of a new food. Your child may not eat much of a new food. It may seem like progress is slow. Giving praise can help. 

Avoid all day eating or grazing 

• Stick to a meal and snack schedule. Then your child will be hungry when it is time to eat. 
• Limit any eating or drinking outside of these times. 
• Water is ok to have between meals and snacks. 

Tips for mealtime 

• Limit mealtimes and snacks to 15 to 30 minutes.
• Turn off screens at meals and snacks. This helps your child focus on eating.
• Get your child involved. Ask them to help with what to eat. Have them help make the meal or snack. 
• Make foods look fun to eat by changing the shape or color. Include foods they already eat and enjoy.
• Offer 1 to 2 foods your child eats and 1 food they do not. If your child will not allow the new food on their plate, place the new food near them. The food can be on a different plate to help get them used to the new food. 

Ways to support positive behavior 

• Show your child mealtime behaviors that you would like them to do. Avoid your own distractions during mealtime.  This includes TV or phones.
• Make mealtime fun and don't over focus on your child's eating.
• Let your child explore their food. Do not prompt, coax, or beg your child to eat. Let your child choose how much food they would like to eat.

Reward positive behaviors. Offer praise when your child shows interest or tries something new. Examples include:

• A new food – touch, lick, or taste
• A new mealtime schedule
• Meals without a screen 

Ignore negative behaviors. This may include spitting, throwing, or refusing food. Your child may stop these behaviors if you ignore them.

Keep a food journal

Keep track of your child’s interest and reactions they had to the new food. This way you can track any positive trends. This can help to find similar foods that your child could try.