Flourish - Latest Edition - Flipbook - Page 32
Clinical Implications: Why Support Matters
Feeding challenges in children with ASD are not simply
behavioural—they are rooted in neurobiology, sensory
processing, and communica琀椀on. The combina琀椀on of
sensory sensi琀椀vi琀椀es, altered interocep琀椀on, and rigid
food preferences can lead to:
• Nutri琀椀onal de昀椀ciencies
• Weight loss or unhealthy weight gain
• Diges琀椀ve and gastrointes琀椀nal issues
• Feeding disorders or delayed feeding development
The Importance of Routine
and Preference
Children on the au琀椀sm
spectrum o昀琀en 昀椀nd comfort
in rou琀椀ne and predictability—
including when it comes to
food. A slight change to their
usual meal琀椀me setup, the
appearance of a di昀昀erent food
brand, or a switch in packaging
can be enough to cause
distress or food refusal.
Many children develop strong
brand loyalty, insist on the
same cutlery or plate, or eat
only certain foods prepared in
exactly the same way. Texture
and tac琀椀le sensi琀椀vity also play
a role—for example, avoiding
foods that feel s琀椀cky, messy,
or uncomfortable to touch.
Transi琀椀ons, like moving from
purees to solid foods, can
be especially challenging.
Many children strongly prefer
carbohydrate-heavy foods,
which tend to be bland and
consistent. While comfor琀椀ng,
these choices can lead to a
lack of essen琀椀al nutrients,
contribu琀椀ng to growth or
health concerns over 琀椀me.
Suppor琀椀ng families early is key. When problems with
feeding are recognised and addressed early, it’s possible to
reduce the stress around meals and improve dietary intake.
The best approach is mul琀椀disciplinary. Occupa琀椀onal
therapists, die琀椀琀椀ans, speech pathologists, and
behavioural therapists can work together to support
feeding by addressing the child’s sensory, behavioural,
and physiological needs.
Tailored interven琀椀ons that respect neurodiversity—not
trying to “昀椀x” the child, but to meet them where they are—
can help broaden food acceptance and make meal琀椀mes
less stressful and more enjoyable for everyone involved.
Feeding a child with au琀椀sm is rarely straigh琀昀orward,
but understanding the reasons behind food refusal or
limited diets can be incredibly empowering. It’s not just
about preferences—it’s about how a child experiences
the world through their senses and their body. With the
right support and a compassionate, 昀氀exible approach,
children with ASD can learn to expand their diet in ways
that feel safe, suppor琀椀ve, and respec琀昀ul of their needs.
