Autism is not caused by malnutrition or food-related challenges, but, for many people, there is a connection between autism and food. Research suggests that food-related challenges have a significant impact on many people who are diagnosed on the autism spectrum. According to one study, "children with ASD exhibited more food refusal than typically developing children (41.7% vs. 18.9% of foods offered)." Another study concurs: "... children with autism have significantly more feeding problems and eat a significantly narrower range of foods than children without autism." This means that, if you have a child on the spectrum who eats poorly, you're not alone. Poor eating habits can lead to a wide range of nutritional problems which, in turn, can lead to problems ranging from health issues to attentional and behavioral problems.
"Poor eating habits" and "feeding issues" have several different causes and many levels of severity. Resolving problems with feeding, picky eating, food intolerances, and nutritional deficits can have a positive impact on your child's life. Here are some of the ways in which feeding issues can impact your child, along with some suggestions for addressing the problem. Maybe your child won't eat broccoli, apples, nuts, or breakfast cereals. Or won't touch yogurt, milk, applesauce, soup, or oatmeal. In both of these cases, there's a pattern: in the first case, the child is rejecting crunchy foods. In the second case, they won't tolerate smooth or gooey foods. People living with autism can be prone to sensory overload and sensory defensive, meaning they are easily upset by certain sensory experiences, and thus avoid them. They may hate bright lights or loud noise. They may also avoid strong smells and certain tactile experiences. Certain foods have strong smells and tastes; others have specific textures that may be appealing or disgusting to individual children. There are a few simple fixes for eating problems related to sensory challenges:
According to a review of multiple studies, there is "a strong relationship and significant correlation between eating problems and gastrointestinal (GI) dysfunction [in children with autism]." This may mean that some of your child's more extreme behaviors may be related to pain and discomfort from gas, bloating, diarrhea, or acid reflux. Solve the underlying problem, relieve the pain, and your child may find it much easier to focus, think well, control emotions, and behave more appropriately. Signs of GI discomfort can include diarrhea, constipation, flatulence, or a hard belly. You may also notice your child pressing their stomach up against pillows or chairs to relieve pressure. If your child is verbal and can describe their physical sensations, they might tell you when they are experiencing GI issues, or they may be able to describe their sensations if you ask. If you think your child could be experiencing GI problems, you can take some important steps:
Some children who have autism seem to have negative reactions to milk or dairy products (associated with lactose or a protein called casein) and/or wheat products (gluten). These reactions may or may not be allergies. If you believe your child is responding negatively to either milk or gluten, you can consider starting a gluten and/or casein-free diet. It is very important, though, to ensure your child is getting enough nutrition—work with your pediatrician or with a dietician to plan a well-rounded diet. Like many children, kids living with autism would usually prefer chicken nuggets and pizza to salads and fruit. Kids who have autism can get absolutely stuck on very few food choices and absolutely refuse to make even the slightest change. While it is possible that these preferences have sensory or GI causes, it's also possible that your child has developed a routine that is extremely difficult to change. People with autism, in general, prefer sameness and function well with routines. But sometimes that can get in the way of proper nutrition. If you're struggling with an autistic child's need to eat the same things, in the same order, day in and day out, start by checking to see if there is a real nutritional problem. If your child eats a limited but complete diet (only 2 or 3 proteins, carbohydrates, and fats) they might not be in any nutritional trouble. If you're worried, you might just supplement their diet with a multi-vitamin. If your child's diet is really poor, and you've already addressed any sensory or physical issues, you'll need to address the behavior. There are several approaches you can take, and you can mix and match:
A great deal of research has gone into the issue of autism and nutrition. Some findings are helpful in guiding families and doctors. It's important to note, however, that not all research is of equal quality, and some studies are conducted with a specific agenda in mind. For example, researchers may conduct studies in order to validate a product they want to sell or to convince parents that a particular perspective is correct. Solid, replicated research studies have shown that:
According to current knowledge, autism has not been shown to be caused by particular foods, and it can't be cured through nutritional changes of any kind. Nicole Withrow and Jennifer Franck developed a screening tool called the Sensory, Aberrant Mealtime Behavior Inventory for Eating (SAMIE), which they applied through a survey to a large group of children and teens with autism. The tool helps parents and practitioners zero in on the specific challenges they need to address and provides some direction for action. |