Everybody has certain foods that they like and others that are simply not tasty to them! This is particularly true for children with autism that also have sensory processing disorders.
Some children with autism may be hyper-sensitive to taste, while others may be hypo-sensitive and have a reduced sensitivity to taste. These sensory issues in kids with autism can impact their eating habits, overall health, and quality of life.
Increased sensitivity to taste may cause some children with ASD to be extremely picky eaters, avoiding certain foods or textures due to their strong taste. They may struggle to tolerate or even be repulsed by certain tastes, making mealtime a challenging and stressful experience for both you and your child.
On the other hand, reduced sensitivity to taste may lead to a lack of interest in food, causing your child to eat very limited types of foods or not enough, which can affect your child’s nutritional intake and physical health.
Taste sensory issues can significantly impact the lives of children with autism. By understanding their challenges and providing appropriate support, you can help your child develop healthy eating habits and positive associations with food.
The following is a list of effective strategies to help parents address taste-related sensory issues in kids with autism:
- Introducing new foods gradually and in a non-threatening way.
- Encouraging exploration of food through age-appropriate play and sensory activities.
- Offering foods in different textures and temperatures to provide a variety of sensory experiences.
- Using visual aids, such as pictures or social stories, to prepare the child for new foods and eating situations.
- Providing a safe and comfortable eating environment, such as a designated sensory space or other quiet area.
- Incorporating the child’s sensory preferences into meal planning and preparation.
Many children with autism have taste sensory issues that can impact their daily life. But through the above listed strategies and sound ABA therapy plans, your child can learn effective ways to manage sensory processing disorder and therefore relate more positively to their environment. If you are curious to learn more about ABA therapy for your child, we are here to help!
At Step Forward ABA we address sensory issues in kids with autism through ABA therapy in Florida, New Mexico, and North Carolina. Offering ABA therapy from the environment your child is most comfortable, we work one-on-one with your kid to manage taste sensory issues effectively. Contact us for more information on ABA therapy for sensory processing disorder!
