Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder that manifests as “restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities” and “persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction across multiple contexts.”
Autism is a spectrum condition. This means it affects people in different ways with varying symptoms, level of functioning and challenges. Every autistic person has a different personality and set of abilities.
Autistic people can experience increased sensitivity to light, touch, sound and taste. This can impact on the variety of foods that they eat.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS :
ignoring their name and averting eye contact
not grinning back at you when you smile
becoming extremely agitated when they dislike a particular taste, smell, or sound repetitive motions like fluttering their hands, flicking their fingers, or swaying their body
not conversing as much as other kids
unusual speech, such as repeating phrases and talking “at” others; liking a rigid daily routine and becoming extremely upset if it changes
not seeming to understand what others are thinking or feeling
taking things very literally—for example, they might not understand expressions like “break a leg”—having a strong interest in particular topics or activities
becoming very upset if you ask them to do something
finding it difficult to make friends or preferring to be by themselves
AUTISM SIGNS IN GIRLS
Autism can sometimes be different in girls and boys.
Autistic girls may:
hide some signs of autism by copying how other children behave and play
withdraw in situations they find difficult
appear to cope better with social situations
show fewer signs of repetitive behaviours
This means autism can be harder to spot in girls.
Issues related to eating IN AUTISM
You might be more perceptive to the tastes, smells, textures, and appearances of objects, including foods, if you have sensory issues. This may make it challenging to eat specific foods and result in a very restricted diet.
Here are a few instances:
possessing a strong taste for particular textures (e.g., crunchy or soft foods)
favoringparticular food brands
favoring “beige foods” like chicken nuggets, biscuits, crisps, and white bread
Having a preference for a particular cut of food (such as toast squares rather than triangles)
wishing to keep food off of one another on a plate
It’s possible to prefer predictable foods. A branded takeout burger or a particular brand of crisps, for instance, will never look or taste the same.
Issues with digestion in individuals with autism
The process by which the body converts food into nutrients, such as fats, proteins, carbohydrates, sugars, vitamins, and minerals, is called digestion. Constipation, diarrhea, and bloating stomach are common digestive issues in individuals with autism. Taking a probiotic might help reduce symptoms related to the gut.
Having six to eight glasses of water each day and eating frequent, high-fiber meals will often be beneficial. Increased intake of high-fiber foods can also be facilitated by wholegrain breakfast cereal, wholemeal or granary bread, fruit, vegetables, beans, and pulses.
The same care should be given to any gastrointestinal symptoms as to non-autistic patients.
Dietitians can helps in following way :
- look at whether your diet is providing all the nutrients needed
- give advice on nutritional supplements
- give helpful, practical advice to help reduce mealtime stress or anxiety
- if suitable, give advice to help to try new foods
Best advice
Maintain a regular schedule for meals and activities. This can calm people down and lessen their anxiety before meals.
It can be helpful for some autistic individuals to use their special interests to interact with any dietary interventions.
A more peaceful mealtime can be achieved by taking sensory needs into consideration. During mealtimes, this entails minimizing noise and odors.
Make one alteration at a time. Expanding the food range can be facilitated by introducing or providing comparable foods. It’s usually best to make small, one-at-a-time changes.
make a variety of foods more visible. A food becomes more familiar as one becomes more conscious of it. If your child is happy to help, include them in grocery shopping or vegetable chopping if they have autism.
Be patient