Let us continue-
In part 1 regarding texture, we dealt with the feeling aspect of a child with autism. Now let’s deal with the surface of taste, oh me oh my that is a struggle if the child has never been exposed to different textures from infancy. A lot of times as young as 9 months children who show signs of dealing with a form of autism are complicated, as a parent you try to get your child to eat everything other children may have no problem trying. We all know that the entire world loves sugar well so do autistic children it can be the one thing they will always try or eat. This is a hard habit to keep going as it starts to end up the child will only want sugary foods. The problem yes is the refusal to eat anything else whether it be sour, bitter, or salty becomes it’s unfamiliar to them and they can not understand the taste in their mouth.
So how do we stop this from becoming a problem well it’s time to wean the child off the sugar.
No, just like an adult who is putting themselves on a diet you must start slow, and little by little you remove things and introduce healthy or clean food as we call it. Eliminating everything all at once will make an autistic child go into a frenzy and refuse to try anything. We don’t want that we want them to feel like they can trust us and believe what we offer is what they want to try. An autistic child may do a few things, they may examine the offering of food you give them they may even smell it and feel it as if it does not look or smell familiar to them.
The key is to keep trying, keep trying I know this will get frustrating but it will work. You will get their trust and they may try it, you have done it. In introducing the child to vegetables, fruit, crusty bread, a form of natural sugar like monk fruit, and liquids other than apple juice. Will help your tussles with your child. This may get you on to a new start for your child to eat more good quality foods.
Remember everyone is different, what is or what was easy for you to try and eat may not be so easy for an autistic child. Texture to them whether it’s the feel or the taste is amplified by 10x the effect.
An example is a child without signs of autism who does not like cheese in their food. Why, well it could be the smell, taste, or even the look of the cheese. Now multiply this by 10x for an autistic child this is how they see something new on their plate. Small steps, small steps just one change can make a world of difference between a child and a parent. But remember the rule we try in daycare is to introduce a new food 10 times to a child if after 10 times of being introduced and they still do not want to try it then the idea is to reintroduce it at a later date again. Do not continue pushing the item on them that is not how it works small steps and repetitive introduction is all you can do to help them try something new.
If you want to experience how an autistic child may feel try something that is not familiar to you at all whether it is food or a sense of toughness. It could even be from a different culture. I know for me it is such an amazing experience to touch and hold a snake but for someone else, it would be the most terrifying and scariest thing could think of doing. Food: I have such a very hard time with something as simple as cauliflower, some people would say how it’s so delicious but for me, the taste is so horrible and I know that is a strong word but it is horrible in my mouth the taste is like putting a penny in my mouth. I have introduced it to my plate over 10 times my pallet did not like it so no more pushing to try it I STOP introducing it. This does not mean I give up I will reintroduce it after a few months to see how it works on my plate. Small steps and repetitive introduction.
So parents I know your struggles but keep your spirits up and be patient with your child it will work out for you in the long run.