Mealtime Hacks for Children With Autism

 For many of us, trying new food is an extremely enjoyable experience. New relationships are forged and hatchets are buried while discussing menus and debating meal options. Unfortunately, for children with Autism, it can be an entirely different experience, fraught with stress and anxiety.

Autism or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) refers to a range of neurodevelopmental disorders that affect social, behavioral, and communicative abilities. ASD may be present in children from as early as six months of age.

A major symptom of Autism in children is a strong preference for certain kinds of food and textures, manifesting in feeding challenges and leading to a lack of nutritional variety in their diets. This can be attributed to medical problems, psychological barriers, nutritional deficits, sensory disorders, oral-motor dysfunctions, and environmental causes. Up to 87% of children with ASD are picky eaters.

Parents who are concerned about their child’s eating habits are advised to seek the guidance of experts from the best Autism treatment in Bangalore.

Make Meals Meaningful and Nutritious

It is important to remember that the pursuit of healthy eating habits is a journey. It may involve some missteps alongside successes. Here are some mealtime tips for encouraging children with ASD to improve their eating habits:

●     Rule out physical problems

Studies have shown that children with ASD are likely to have a high incidence of gastrointestinal issues such as acid reflux. Some may also face dental issues, including cavities and difficulty in chewing that make eating some foods unpleasant.

Therefore, any underlying problems must be checked by doctors during screenings.

●     Ease into mealtime

Many children with ASD have sensory aversions and fear of unfamiliar foods. Sometimes, families can cause anxiety by trying to force a child to eat a certain food. To reverse this pattern, it is advised that your child is helped to relax, encouraging them to become more accepting of sitting and eating. Relaxation could include anything from doing breathing exercises or reading a favorite book together.

●     Develop a meal schedule

Regular schedules and clear expectations are often imperative for children with Autism. This includes scheduled meals and snacks in designated areas to help your child know what to expect. An important aspect of meal schedules is to make a routine of family meals.

●     Slowly add new foods

If your child only eats a few types of food, due to preference of taste or appearance, you can gradually incorporate new options into the regular meals using a method called ‘food chaining’. This involves identifying a food that is similar in texture, taste, or smell to the one your child enjoys and using it to slowly add a variety to their diet. It is an effective approach that originates with an accepted food (one that a child eats willingly and reliably) and ends with a goal food.

For instance, if your child only eats potato chips, you could slowly introduce them to banana chips (similar look and taste), followed by slices of frozen banana and then a fresh one. Sometimes, children with ASD eat only a specific brand of a specific food. Avoid this issue by taking food out of boxes as soon as possible and rotate brands so your child is less likely to get stuck on a highly specific taste, look, and texture.

●     Make food fun

Encourage your child to explore, play, and get messy by interacting with food through their senses. Make up songs about food and involve your child in meal prep as much as possible. Form interesting shapes with cookie cutters, dull knives, and so on. This builds a foundation that allows greater comfort with foods.

●     Support your child’s posture

Many children with Autism have weak core muscles or poor body awareness. These issues can result in bad posture and discomfort while sitting at the table. To provide support, cushions or rolled-up towels can be used for their upper body. Placing a step stool in front of your child to support their feet might also help. This allows your child to focus on eating and less on trying to get comfortable. 

●     Positive reinforcement

Positive reinforcement is providing your child with verbal praise or tangible rewards (like a favorite activity or gift) for eating. Reinforcement of appropriate behaviors has proven to be highly effective in motivating children with Autism.

Outlook

Although Autism cannot be cured, there are several methods of therapy that can help treat the symptoms.

Currently, the best Autism treatment in Bangalore involves a holistic approach to ASD. Prophylactic options range from early screening to exploring treatment through Stem Cell Therapy, medication, and specialized behavioral therapy.

Empathy and education are imperative in helping parents understand the needs of their children. With a little care and preparation, mealtimes can be a fun, bonding experience for everyone involved.