A child with autism has a very unique way of seeing the world, and during meal times, it can be easy for your child to feel overwhelmed. Just think about all of the senses that are involved in eating. There’s the taste of the meal, the smells of each dish, the colors of each food, the texture of each bite, the sound of conversation, the feel of the tablecloth…the list goes on and on. When your child sits down to eat, he or she will be experiencing all of these sensations and more – and many times, it can be difficult for him or her to concentrate on eating when there is so much to experience all around him.

These sensory issues are just one of the ways that autism manifests itself, and because autism is a spectrum disorder, sensory experience are going to be different for everyone. Don’t think that your child just doesn’t want to eat or is being fussy. It may just be that he or she is having a hard time sorting out what’s going on in the environment. After all, with so many sensory experiences going on at once, who wouldn’t be overwhelmed?

If your autistic child is having issues with eating, it could be caused by his or her sensory reactions to the environment, the food, and all of the other things that he or she is experiencing during a meal time. The best thing to do is to gather information about your child’s eating habits. What does he or she eat successfully? How, when, and where does this success occur? Consider the sensory variables that are involved in your child’s diet and take a specific look at what foods, with whom, where, when, and how your child eats. Usually, you’ll find that there is some sort of pattern – with either the external environment or the food itself. Finding patterns may ensure that eating is easier for both you and your child.