Picky eating isn’t just resistance to trying new foods or consuming edible items. It has many different umbrellas in which it effects; sensory profiles, anxiety, comprehension, exposure and behaviour. I think it is safe to say that we have all encountered situations in which we didn’t prefer a food item (it’s taste, texture, smell, appearance) and are impacted by how we experience eating. For individuals with ASD, there can be a variety of avenues to explore when determining the best approach to picky eating, and this approach is never a “one-size fits all” methodology. At GRAS we work to tailor the experience and move in a systematic format with gradual exposure.
We start by taking a sensory profile, understanding consumption history and current eating repertoires. By doing this we can gain a sense of the high level goals that the family has, while always considering what is most feasible to achieve and maintain over time. We work inclusively within our team and with parents to determine the best intervention method and maintain ongoing re-assessment and evaluation of the implementation.
As mentioned, there isn’t just one approach to take – we consider singular (first/then, flavour masking, try-a-plate, food chaining, food desensitization and sensory exposure hierarchies) and combined applications to further the experience of food intake and lessen the aversive side effects in the process.
For more information on how we can help, visit our contact page for support and assistance in this area!