{"id":4621,"date":"2026-02-25T10:36:58","date_gmt":"2026-02-25T03:36:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vica.edu.vn\/why-do-children-with-autism-asd-often-have-poor-appetites-are-picky-eaters-or-have-allergies-to-many-foods\/"},"modified":"2026-02-25T10:36:58","modified_gmt":"2026-02-25T03:36:58","slug":"why-do-children-with-autism-asd-often-have-poor-appetites-are-picky-eaters-or-have-allergies-to-many-foods","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vica.edu.vn\/en\/why-do-children-with-autism-asd-often-have-poor-appetites-are-picky-eaters-or-have-allergies-to-many-foods\/","title":{"rendered":"WHY DO CHILDREN WITH AUTISM (ASD) OFTEN HAVE POOR APPETITES, ARE PICKY EATERS, OR HAVE ALLERGIES TO MANY FOODS?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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At VICA \u2013 the International Center for Early Diagnosis & Intervention of Autism Spectrum Disorder, we frequently receive heartfelt concerns from parents: \u201cMy child only eats a few familiar foods,\u201d \u201cMy child pushes away any unfamiliar food,\u201d \u201cMy child vomits when trying new foods,\u201d or \u201cMy child seems to be allergic to too many types of food.\u201d<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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In reality, eating problems in children with ASD are not simply about picky eating, but are often related to the specific developmental characteristics of children on the autism spectrum.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\"1\ufe0f\u20e3\"<\/span> Sensory Processing Differences<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Most children with ASD have differences in sensory processing. This directly affects eating habits, for example: <\/div>\n
– Sensitive to smells (fishy smells, smells of boiled vegetables, smells of spices)<\/div>\n
– Discomfort with food texture (soft, mushy, slimy, lumpy)<\/div>\n
– Strong reaction to color or presentation<\/div>\n
– Cannot tolerate the feeling of food mixed together.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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For children, trying a new food can sometimes feel like facing a “sensory overload experience,” rather than them deliberately resisting it.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\"2\ufe0f\u20e3\"<\/span> The need for stability and repeatability.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Children on the autism spectrum often feel safe when things are familiar and predictable. Therefore: <\/div>\n
– Your child may only eat one brand of milk.<\/div>\n
– Only one type of food cut is acceptable.<\/div>\n
– Only eat when using familiar bowls and spoons.<\/div>\n
Small changes in eating habits can sometimes cause children anxiety, leading them to refuse food.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\"3\ufe0f\u20e3\"<\/span> Difficulties with oral motor skills \u2013 chewing \u2013 swallowing<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Some children with ASD will have difficulties with eating, such as:<\/div>\n
– Oral muscle coordination<\/div>\n
– Chew foods with varying degrees of hardness.<\/div>\n
– Adjust biting and chewing forces<\/div>\n
This causes children to avoid foods that require thorough chewing or have complex textures.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\"4\ufe0f\u20e3\"<\/span> Digestive problems and food allergies<\/div>\n
Children with ASD have a higher rate of digestive problems compared to children with typical development. Some children may: <\/div>\n
– Lactose intolerance<\/div>\n
– Gluten sensitivity<\/div>\n
– Easily causes bloating, constipation, and abdominal pain.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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However, not all cases of picky eating are true allergies. Arbitrarily eliminating too many food groups without professional assessment can lead to nutritional deficiencies. <\/div>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\"\ud83c\udf31\"<\/span> So what should parents do?<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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At VICA \u2013 the International Center for Early Diagnosis & Intervention of Autism Spectrum Disorder, we always approach the issue of nutrition from a multifaceted perspective:<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\"\u2714\ufe0f\"<\/span> Assessing sensory factors<\/div>\n
\"\u2714\ufe0f\"<\/span> Observe chewing and swallowing skills.<\/div>\n
\"\u2714\ufe0f\"<\/span> Consult with a nutritionist when needed.<\/div>\n
\"\u2714\ufe0f\"<\/span> Applying ESDM and natural behavioral intervention (NDBI) methods to gradually expand the food portfolio.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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We don’t force children to eat, but create a safe environment and gradually help them:<\/div>\n
– Getting acquainted with food through play, such as cooking classes.<\/div>\n
Touch, smell, and observe before tasting.<\/div>\n
– Gradually increase the level of acceptance in a gentle manner.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\"\ud83d\udca1\"<\/span> Most importantly:<\/div>\n
Picky eating in children with ASD is not the child’s fault, nor is it due to parental indulgence. It’s a sign that the child needs proper understanding. By understanding the underlying causes of the behavior, we can provide appropriate support \u2013 so that each meal is no longer a “battle,” but an opportunity for connection and growth. <\/div>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\"\ud83d\udce9\"<\/span> Parents may need more in-depth advice on how to help their children overcome picky eating or explore suitable intervention programs. The VICA team is always ready to support your family. <\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

At VICA \u2013 the International Center for Early Diagnosis & Intervention of Autism Spectrum Disorder, we frequently receive heartfelt concerns from parents: \u201cMy child only eats a few familiar foods,\u201d \u201cMy child pushes away any unfamiliar food,\u201d \u201cMy child vomits when trying new foods,\u201d or \u201cMy child seems to be…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":4592,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[5,6],"tags":[],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vica.edu.vn\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4621"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vica.edu.vn\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vica.edu.vn\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vica.edu.vn\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vica.edu.vn\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4621"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/vica.edu.vn\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4621\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vica.edu.vn\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4592"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vica.edu.vn\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4621"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vica.edu.vn\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4621"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vica.edu.vn\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4621"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}