How to Introduce New Foods to a Child with Autism

If you have a kiddo with autism, you’ve probably faced some challenges at meal times when you introduce a new food. This neophobia, or fear of new things, is common is autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and can make feeding and overall nutrition extremely difficult

However, with tactics that are better tailored to the sensory needs of kids with ASD, new foods can be introduced successfully and lead to a more varied, balanced diet. In this post, we’ll cover why your little one struggles with new foods and practical tips to expand their diet. 

Why New Foods Can be Difficult with Autism

There are several reasons why kids with autism might struggle more than your average picky eater to accept new foods.

Rigidity and Resistance to Change

Many children with autism tend to prefer strict routines, repetitive eating patterns, and struggle with changes to familiar habits (1). These lifestyle habits can transfer over to the kitchen table and make it difficult to incorporate change into a meal. 

Whole foods (like fruits and vegetables) naturally vary in how they look, taste, and feel, which can feel unpredictable and overwhelming. Processed or packaged foods often feel safer because they offer the same consistent experience every time (1).

Sensory Processing Issues

Sensory sensitivities are very common in autism (1). For some kids, new foods don’t just look unfamiliar,  they can smell too strong, feel too squishy, or even sound too loud when chewed. This sensory overload can cause them to reject a food before they even take a bite.

Meal Time Stress

Food rejection in autism can also be a vicious cycle. The more stressed we feel about getting our kids to eat, the more pressure can accidentally sneak into mealtime. 

Studies show that things like parental pressure, tension at meals, and child anxiety can actually make food rejection worse (1). The more pressured your child feels, the harder it can be for them to feel safe exploring new foods.

Low Body Awareness

Kids with ASD often have low interoception, or an understanding of how their body feels. This can make hunger and fullness cues difficult to recognize and create an innate preference for some flavors and immediate rejection of others. 

Tips to Introduce New Foods

Introduce the Food Away from the Table

The pressure to taste something new can feel overwhelming. Sometimes it helps to first introduce new foods in non-meal settings. You can read about the food in books, explore it during playtime, or talk about it in conversation. This helps your child start getting familiar with the food and it’s sensory experience before it ever appears on their plate.

Pair it With a Safe or Preferred Food

Because the root of food rejection is often neophobia, or fear of new things, it’s important to pair new foods with familiar favorites. Having at least one “safe” food at every meal helps create a sense of comfort and reduces anxiety around the new item.

Make Small Changes to Current Favorites

Instead of introducing new foods at random, use their current favorite foods as a “bridge” to connect to new ones. 

For example, if they love chicken nuggets, try switching the brand of chicken nugget, trying a homemade breaded chicken, then breaded fish stick, then fish! Making small changes can make the experience of a new food less overwhelming.

Prioritize Routine & Predictability in Their Food

Kids with autism often do best with predictability. If you’re introducing something new, try to keep other mealtime routines the same. Serve meals at the usual time, use their favorite plate, or stick to familiar pre-meal and post-meal routines.

Use Play Rather Than Pressure

Instead of begging them to try a bite or coercing them with promises of dessert, try to utilize low pressure tactics like play. Encourage a “crunching contest” with your apples or "building a forest” with your vegetables. Model this behavior and invite them to join. 

For older kiddos, low pressure play could be getting them involved in the prep process or turning cooking into a fun competition. 

Be Patient 

Research shows that as kids grow, their food rejection naturally decreases over time because they get used to new experiences (1). So although it’s difficult, remain patient with your kiddo’s food intake and remember that food expansion happens very slowly over time.

When to Seek Help

Although there are evidence-based tactics to getting your little one to incorporate more foods, every kid with autism is different and some need more specialized care. If your kiddo exhibits any of the following, it might be time to seek help from a medical professional like a pediatric dietitian or feeding specialist:

• Eats less than 10 foods

• Avoids full food groups

• “Accepted” foods list is becoming smaller

• Unable to eat family meals

• Quality of life has suffered (school, travel, activities all revolve around food choices)

Summary

Autism brings unique challenges to your little one, especially in their food exploration and maintaining a healthy nutritious diet. Although it can be difficult due to the sensory challenges of ASD, introducing new foods slowly, making small changes, always serving a safe food, and reducing meal time pressure are all great ways to expand their diet.