Autismo e Seletividade Alimentar: Impacto das Sensibilidades Sensoriais nas Preferências Alimentares

Autism and Selective Eating: Impact of Sensory Sensitivities on Food Preferences

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is characterized by deficits in communication, social interaction, and restrictive, repetitive behavioral patterns that impair social, occupational, and daily functioning. The condition is often accompanied by sensory processing difficulties, including over- or under-sensitivity to sensory stimuli in the environment. These sensory challenges can significantly influence the eating habits of people with autism, leading to selective eating patterns and potential nutritional risks.

Sensory Sensitivity and Food Selectivity in Children with Autism

Studies comparing children with and without ASD show that those with atypical oral sensory sensitivity present with more food refusal and lower vegetable consumption compared to their counterparts with typical oral sensory processing. The findings suggest that sensory sensitivity plays a role in food selectivity in children with ASD. Moreover, sensory defensiveness, a component of sensory sensitivity, may contribute to food selectivity in these children by causing discomfort or distress towards certain food textures, resulting in avoidance of these foods.

Understanding the Connection Between Sensory Sensitivity and Selective Eating

Research indicates that food preference is not unique to autism per se but may reflect sensory defensiveness. People with autism tend to limit their diet to food of preferred, tolerable, and manageable textures, possibly due to sensory sensitivity. For instance, olfactory over-responsivity may lead individuals to prefer foods with mild odors, avoiding strong smells that could be overwhelming. Additionally, common food avoidances in people with autism include those with contrasting textures, such as carrots in a green salad and celery in tuna fish salad.

Strategies to Address Sensory Challenges and Support Healthy Eating Habits in Children with Autism

Understanding the causes behind food aversions is crucial in addressing sensory-related issues in children with autism. Parents and caregivers can encourage exploration of new foods and textures through various techniques such as:

1. Investigating the cause: Engage children in conversations about their food preferences and identify the specific reasons behind their sensory sensitivities. Non-verbal communication tools, like Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS), may be useful for helping non-verbal children express their feelings.

2. Playing with new foods: Encourage children to explore new foods through interactive activities like painting with pasta sauce, making faces on pizzas with vegetables, and using cookie cutters to create fun shapes in sandwiches.

3. Offering choices: Let children have control over meal choices within certain categories, such as selecting one vegetable and one protein for dinner. This can help them feel more comfortable with the food selection process.

4. Being patient: Recognize that children with autism may take longer to adjust to new foods due to sensory sensitivity. Offering a variety of choices while being understanding about their preferences is key.

5. Avoiding harsh rewards: While it's essential to encourage flexibility with food and willingness to try new items, excessive bribes or rewards may not be effective in helping children develop long-term positive attitudes towards various food options.

Conclusion

The impact of sensory sensitivity on food selectivity highlights the importance of addressing these issues in children with autism. By understanding the underlying causes and employing appropriate strategies, parents and caregivers can support healthy eating habits and mitigate potential nutritional risks associated with restrictive diets.