What is a resistant eater? Many parents of children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder will describe their child as being a ‘fussy’ eater. However, often the child will not necessarily be a fussy eater, but more of a resistant eater. The child will resist or refuse certain foods often based on their sensory characteristics e.g. colour of food, texture, temperature, position of food on plate etc. Resistant eaters might also be affected by environmental issues e.g. seating position, background noise etc. Resistant eaters may also over-respond to being presented with certain/new foods e.g. may gag, become distressed by just visually seeing a certain food. Children may also become quite distressed or anxious about mealtimes.
How do I know if my child is a resistant eater?
Characteristics of a Resistant Eater Resistant eaters often exhibit one or more of the following:
- Limited food selection (10-15 foods or less).
- Limited food groups (refuses one or more food groups).
- Anxiety/tantrums/gag when presented with new foods.
- Require consistent foods presented in the same way served at every meal.
It is important to first rule out other issues that may be related to a child being resistant to eating certain foods e.g. gastrointestinal discomfort such as reflux, inability to sit independently, oral motor issues such as problems with sucking and swallowing.
Activities & Suggestions for Resistant Eaters/Mealtime Strategies
• First try to work out what your child is finding distressing about mealtimes. Is it thesensation of the food or an environmental issue such as bright lights or loud noises? Or both?
• Slowly introduce food that has the same sensory characteristics as what the child is currently tolerating e.g. if the child likes crunchy foods, introduce other crunchy foods; if the child eats white food, introduce other white foods etc.
• Let your child play with food during non-mealtimes. Let them have fun playing with it and making a mess during play times. Let them explore the food in a safe and
non-confronting way.
• Introduce new foods slowly. The child needs to be able to cope with food being in their environment and on their plate, before it is presented to them to eat.
• Limit snack times and bottles of milk throughout the day so that your child is
hungrier at mealtimes.
• Use visuals to help support trying new foods e.g. First/Then board to encourage child to have one bite/spoon of something new before being given preferred meal/food.
• Use a social story about trying new foods (depending on the child’s comprehension level).
• Encourage the child to help prepare meals e.g. stirring, mashing etc.
References: Ernsperger, L., Stegen-Hanson, T. (2004). Just Take a Bite; Easy, effective answers to food aversions and eating challenges.
Well at least I've tried all those food related suggestions... Unfortunately due to food allergies and intolerances there isn't much more we can do... thankfully reading that makes me feel better, like I've done everything I can... whew...
Resistant Eaters
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