Many children on the Autism spectrum are picky eaters and have problems trying new foods. This may be due to an obsessive interest in specific foods or inflexibility with trying something different. This often creates problems for parents who want their children to have a balanced diet. It is not uncommon for children to yell, scream, or throw a tantrum if presented with different foods. Getting a child on the Autism spectrum to try new foods will be challenging, but it is possible if you begin to follow the strategies in this article.
Step 1: Evaluation
First, you want to take an inventory of your child’s foods and evaluate them to determine what your child likes about them. There are reasons your child eats the foods they do. It could be a texture component or a specific taste. It could be the shape of the food or the color, or a combination of different traits. When your child eats, ask them why they like the food so that you can understand from their perspective.
When evaluating the foods, look for a common factor that connects them. Are the textures in common? Is the taste profile similar? Is the shape or color consistent? Many children on the Autism spectrum have sensory issues which impact taste, smell, and feeling. Some foods are difficult to eat due to sensory issues. For example, some children may like soft foods, as hard foods could be physically painful to eat. You must determine these factors to know what new foods to introduce into your child’s diet.
The best way to evaluate each food is to break it down into components and see if your child likes the specific component. Below is an example:
Food: Chicken Nuggets
Taste: Breading, Chicken, Sauces (if used).
Texture: Slight Crunch Outside, Soft Inside.
Color: Brown
Touch: Springy
Shape: Oblong
Size: Medium
For this example, if your child likes the shape, the chicken taste, and the size, this will help provide you with other foods to try with similar characteristics.
Step 2: Planning
Now that you have evaluated your child’s food, it is time to plan alternatives. To do this, you first use the information you gathered evaluating the food to form a plan. In the example above, we can begin to test foods that have a chicken taste, with the same shape and size. The easiest food to try would be grilled chicken nuggets or another brand of chicken nuggets if the grilled ones do not work. Using french fries as an example, we could try tater tots, hash browns, or thicker or thinner fries. The best foods to try are ones with similar characteristics. Remember all the components we identified in step one, and use alternatives.
In the beginning, work to add in at most three new foods, as any more could be overwhelming for your child. Do not add them all at the same time! Add them in one at a time. One new food per week is a good starting point. There is no hurry, as patience will be needed.
Step 3: Patience
Expect your child not to like the food the first few times they try it. Change is difficult for many on the Autism Spectrum, and this will likely take time for your child to become used to trying new things. You will have to be patient and creative. If they do not like the alternative you provided, this is fine. The goal is not just to add new foods but to expose them to new ones. Not all foods will be enjoyed, but the more we try, the greater our palate. The main goal is for your child to try the new food, nothing more. Liking the food is a bonus.
For example, if your child likes chicken nuggets, I would provide grilled ones. I would then run down the alternatives: grilled chicken breast pieces, fried chicken tenders, chicken in a soup, chicken salad, chicken salad sandwiches, etc. Even if your child does not like any of these options, they have tried many different things.
Also, never provide the new food on its own. Don’t give them the new food without the old food present. You want them to feel like they have a choice to like it. If they have nothing to eat besides the new food, they could feel like they are being punished.
Step 4: Revisit
Your child will likely need to try the new foods repeatedly before they like them. This is the mistake most parents make; they try something once and give up. Most children on the Autism spectrum are rigid and adverse to change. You will need to introduce these foods for months. The problem is your child will likely resist and may refuse to eat it. In that case, you will have to become creative.
Step 5: Creativity
You may need to make a game out of mealtime for your child to try new foods. Have fun with the new foods, play with them, talk about how good they are, and show your child you like them and enjoy them. Meal time needs to be an adventure you have with your child. A poor attitude will dampen the experience, and your child will pick up on it. If your child does not like the food or rejects trying it, do not become upset or discouraged. Talk to them about finding something great and tasty they will love and how this will be an adventure.
One strategy is a point system, where they get a point each time they try a new food. After ten or so points, they get something they want, something specific. For example, if your child tries ten different foods, they visit their favorite place for an afternoon. This will encourage your child to try new foods. Note: your child does not have to like the food; they just need to try it!
Conclusion
It will likely take months or years for your child to become comfortable trying new foods. However, trying new foods can be a doorway to trying new activities, which can expand your child’s world. One of the best ways to combat rigidity is to try new things; trying new foods provides an excellent opportunity. Give it time and be patient, and always be willing to experiment with new foods for your child and yourself.
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