How To Tell If Picky Eating Is Caused By Asperger’s?

For most children (more than 60%), picky eating arises as a developmental stage in the growing years of a child. Thus, several parents wait and expect this period to end with the maturation of the child. However, sometimes, the fussy behaviour of your kid can be the manifestation of something more serious.

Picky eating may be linked to underlying issues like Autism Spectrum Disorder picky eating and Asperger’s eating habits. So, parents often find it hard to tell if picky eating is caused by Asperger’s. To help you out, we are discussing some very important points that help identify if your child’s picky eating is a consequence of Asperger’s.

What Is Asperger’s Syndrome?

Asperger’s syndrome is a type of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), which is an umbrella term that covers multiple developmental disorders characterized by difficulties in social interactions and communications.

Children with Asperger’s and food aversions have a hard time socializing (at home and school). There are unusual speech patterns and an inability to understand non-verbal communication (expressions, body language, etc.). Kids have limited facial expressions and show repetitive behaviours/routines. There are evident eating challenges in Asperger’s as well. Doctors often refer to it as a high-functioning type of ASD.

Points To Identify Asperger’s Induced Picky Eating

Food Rigidity And Rejection

The most evident feature of Asperger’s picky eating is a strong rejection of food in general. Autistics accept only a small variety of foods and repeatedly eat the same, familiar food. Your kid may insist on having pasta, french fries, or chicken nuggets every day. They own a specific texture, colour, or taste of food and stick to it.

Young ones with Asperger’s have high food rigidity. They refuse to try new foods, no matter how hard you try. Even repeated exposure cannot convince them to try foods they are not familiar with.

Sensory Issues

Asperger’s is a neurodevelopmental disorder that leads to sensory hypersensitivity. If your child shows a strong dislike for foods having specific textures, shapes, tastes, etc., there is a chance of Asperger’s. Researchers have found an association between sensory processing disorder and food issues, linking sensory dysfunction and food fussiness in children with neurodevelopmental disorders like Asperger’s. Your kid may present with excessive physical discomfort even at the sight of disliked food.

Modern studies have highlighted the presence of autistic traits that lead to a higher sensory sensitivity. This is, in turn, associated with dysfunctional eating behaviors. Such youngsters and adults present with eating disorders in autism spectrum disorder.

Very Strict Routine

A salient feature of kids with Asperger’s eating habits is following strict routines. They are only comfortable with predictable outcomes and routines. Any change from the defined pattern makes them anxious and distressed. The hard eating habits are often accompanied by other aberrant sensibilities, like face recognition difficulties and sleeping disturbances.

Moreover, Asperger’s children eat food only when served in a specific way. They are highly selective about the color of the plate and utensils on which the food is served. Their tendency to repetitive behaviors is also exhibited in their dining habits. While the severity of the demands may vary, most Asperger’s children consume food in a ritualistic way, i.e., at the same times and in the same presentations every day. Ritualistic eating behaviors are present in almost all autistic patients.

Motor Difficulties

Underlying motor skill development issues lay the foundation for the nature of an Asperger’s child. As a parent, you need to look out for signs of delays in motor development. The common issues that can hinder day-to-day activities include:

Poor muscle coordination: There is clumsiness and poor muscular coordination. Individuals make repetitive actions and are unable to learn new movements.

Awkward gait: Kids with Asperger’s have an unusual gait that can help you diagnose the problem. The walk is poorly coordinated and appears bouncy. Studies show that they have altered gait patterns and a reduced range of motion.

Lack of fine motor skills: Several children have a hard time developing fine motor skills. If your kid has trouble with handwriting or catching a ball, he might be having Asperger’s.

Chewing and swallowing difficulties: The highly restrictive food repertoire is oftentimes paired with distinct feeding and swallowing difficulties that may continue into adolescence (and even adulthood). Experts advise parents and health professionals to note reduced physical activity, malnutrition, and swallowing issues among adolescents to better diagnose Asperger’s because this is often misunderstood.

This high-functioning type of autism induces abnormal nonverbal behaviors that are paired with unusual gaze behaviors. Asperger’s is suspected if your child avoids direct eye contact with you.

Anxiety At Mealtime

Most parents consider the display of anxiety and distress to be an outcome of casual picky eating. However, visible discomfort and anxiety at the sight of unfamiliar or new foods may indicate autism. You can observe your child having a meltdown when asked to try something new.

New research shows that most autistics tend to eat alone, which can add to social isolation. They tend to choose areas without sensory overload and avoid interaction at mealtimes. Co-dining usually leads to anxiety and may cause meltdowns.

Final Word

The majority of parents consider their kid’s tantrums/anxiety at mealtimes to be due to picky eating. However, in some cases, this picky eating is not just a developmental stage but a manifestation of something serious. Asperger’s syndrome is a high-functioning type of autism in which the person faces difficulty in social interactions and feeding. Disgust for disliked food might seem similar in both cases; however, there are certain differences that set Asperger’s apart from picky eating.

Picky eaters are just selective about their food choices, and their caloric requirements are somehow met with their diet. However, Asperger’s individuals experience nutritional deficiencies that can lead to weight loss. Moreover, these people are unable to gain weight easily due to severe rejection of food. This aversion is attributed to hypersensitivity to food types (taste, color, texture, etc.). Most Asperger’s individuals avoid food due to fear of negative consequences like vomiting or choking. This leads to strong presentations at the meal table.

Another way to tell if your kid has Asperger’s is to note his routine. Such children always have a very strict routine (of eating) and become fussy when things are changed. There is also a lack of motor development. Generally, kids have a hard time making eye contact, performing simple tasks like handwriting and catching a ball. So, an overall analysis of your young person’s personality can help tell if he has Asperger’s.