7 Essential Tips to Manage Picky Eating Behavior in Autism [Free Printable]

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Many parents and professionals are surprised to learn that focusing on a healthier diet isn't always a priority in autism treatment, even though it can have incredible benefits. Autism and picky eating often go hand in hand, making mealtimes a challenge for both kids and parents.

Improving eating habits is an important piece of the autism puzzle that shouldn’t be overlooked.

When we address picky eating habits and eating behaviors in kids with autism, it can significantly enhance their responses to other interventions. This, in turn, can lead to better overall treatment outcomes. Following some autism and picky eating tips can help create a more balanced approach to care, supporting both behavioral and nutritional improvements.

Here are 7 helpful tips for how to manage picky eating in children with autism:

1. Recognize Eating as a Behavior

Whether your child was finicky from the get-go or became pickier around preschool age (very common!), at the end of the day, they have developed a behavioral response to regular feeding routines. Over time, these eating habits can become ingrained, making it challenging to change. Understanding this helps parents approach mealtime with patience and consistency, knowing that it's not just about the food, but also the patterns your child has developed.

As parents, it's our job to manage eating behaviors as we do other behaviors, keeping the emphasis on encouraging healthy eating while avoiding power struggles with our kids. By focusing on positive reinforcement and offering a variety of healthy options, we can guide our children toward making better food choices. It’s important to remember that the goal is to create an environment where healthy eating is the norm, without making mealtimes feel like a battleground.

2. Adjust for Communication Barriers

Many kids with autism are non-verbal or have speech and language delays. When our kids can't easily have their wants known, they communicate using their behavior. For kids with autism, communication barriers can lead to increased frustration, tantrums, and severe acting out. This can make everyday situations, including mealtime, more challenging for both children and parents. It’s important to recognize these behaviors as a form of communication, not just defiance.

Like in other situations, these behaviors also show up with feeding when parents try to change expectations. Plan for this behavior and use tools like picture icons and communication boards to help support your child through these feeding changes. These visual aids can give your child a clearer understanding of what is expected and reduce the anxiety of change. The more consistent and predictable the environment, the more likely your child will feel comfortable with these transitions.

3. Address Sensory Issues and Picky Eating in Autism

Many kids with autism have sensory issues, which can have a huge impact on feeding. Eating is a complex behavioral task and a complex sensory task. Eating requires the use of all our senses. Some kids experience sensory overload when it comes to feeding. Sensory-sensitive kids can get easily overwhelmed by how the food looks and smells, or by the texture, temperature, and taste of the food. These sensory challenges can make mealtimes particularly difficult, as they may refuse to eat certain foods or become distressed at the sight of them.

If your child struggles with sensory issues, think about having them checked by an occupational therapist or another expert who can provide extra help and support. These professionals can offer strategies to help your child manage sensory sensitivities and make mealtimes more comfortable. They can also work with you to develop sensory-friendly mealtime routines and offer tools to ease your child's feeding challenges.

4. Structure Settings for Success

Just like other important parts of the daily routine, structure settings for success with eating. Establishing a routine around mealtime is key to creating consistency and making healthy eating habits feel like a normal part of daily life. Plan ahead by keeping regular meal and snack times, and define mealtime table rules at home, such as no screens at the table or encouraging everyone to try at least one bite of new foods. These small guidelines can help create a calm and positive eating environment, which can make mealtime more enjoyable for everyone.

Try to structure your pantry and refrigerator so that you only have healthy snacks and meals available for the kids to choose from. When healthy options are the easiest to grab, they’re more likely to be chosen. Generally, parents decide what to serve… kids decide what and how much they will eat. This balance helps promote independence while ensuring they make healthier choices.

5. Identify Hidden Food Allergies or Intolerances

Sometimes kids have food sensitivities that don't show up on standard allergy tests, but still cause problems when it comes to them self-limiting with foods. These sensitivities can lead to subtle reactions that aren't always obvious, making it harder for parents to identify the issue. Kids will either refrain from (or in many cases gravitate toward) certain foods that are problematic for them, often without understanding why they feel discomfort. This can lead to a further limited diet and increased picky eating, as they avoid foods that their bodies have trouble processing, even if they don't experience a full-blown allergic reaction.

Talk with your child's doctor if you suspect they may have unidentified food sensitivities. The doctor can guide you in understanding whether there are any hidden food triggers affecting your child’s eating habits. Your child's doctor can also help figure out if there are any nutritional deficiencies that could also be contributing to eating problems, as deficiencies can sometimes make food aversions worse or cause further imbalances in their diet.

6. Get Creative

To get our kids to eat healthier, we have to change their relationship with food. The goal is to make food fun and engaging so they see it as something positive rather than a challenge. When kids enjoy what they’re eating and how it’s presented, they’re more likely to be open to trying new things. One great way to do this is by getting them involved in the kitchen. You can make your child the "Kid in the Kitchen" and let them help with stirring, pouring, or simple tasks during food preparation. This gives them a sense of ownership and pride in what they’re eating.

Kids are more likely to taste something new if they helped prepare it, even in small ways. By allowing them to get involved, you’re not only encouraging healthy eating but also teaching them valuable life skills. Presentation is also so important to kids—how food looks can be just as appealing as how it tastes. Try to find simple ways to make food fun and interesting, like using colorful plates or arranging food in fun shapes. These fun feeding plates from Fred & Friends have the visual appeal to make things a bit more interesting for your picky eater and are a hit with kids and parents alike. By adding a little creativity to mealtimes, you can make healthy eating something your kids look forward to.

7. Keep Trying

Most importantly, keep working to transform your picky eater! Most kids need to see a new food several times before they'll try it and decide if they like it. Stay the course so that your picky eater gets familiar with the 'new' eating routine structure, while you also rule out or address sensory issues and/or food sensitivities. The more consistent you are, the more likely they are to become comfortable with trying new foods, even if it takes time. Remember, small, steady progress can lead to big changes over time.

The habits you help form will likely be with your child for life. And the changes you are likely to see when it comes to supporting good learning and behavior with feeding changes can empower you to continue with your feeding goals for your family. As you build these positive habits, you’ll also be setting the foundation for a lifetime of healthier eating habits. By sticking with it, you're not just helping your child today, but giving them the tools for making healthy choices in the future.

Download the free Picky Eater Chart to motivate your child to try new foods and track their progress!

You may also like these related posts:

Feeding Your Child with Autism: Nutrition is a Game Changer

Kitchen Fun Activities for Sensory Sensitive or Picky Eater Kids

All blog content shared through HealthSmart! Kids is for informational purposes only and not to be construed as medical advice. Always talk with your qualified health care provider for managing your health care needs.