Gathering as a family for a meal can serve several purposes: from social connection to nutrition. But this can also make eating and mealtimes tricky to manage when someone in the family is neurodivergent. Many autistic children and children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) display what has been called “ abnormal feeding behaviours ”.
Children may develop these behaviours as a way to cope with the complex task of mealtimes. The skills involved in mealtimes such as recognising feelings of hunger and thirst, completing tasks in a set order, processing all kinds of sensory input, using fine motor skills, and interacting socially can be challenging. With meals occurring up to six times a day, the whole activity can become daunting.
But not getting enough to eat can have a negative effect on behaviour, learning and health. So, what can you do to help your child get what they need at mealtimes? Common abnormal feeding behaviours in autistic children and children with ADHD include: While some children can meet their nutrition requirements despite these challenges, others face more serious consequences . Sometimes these difficulties can impact their growth, lead to vitamin or mineral deficiencies, cause stomach or gut issues, and even increase the risk of developing chronic diseases later in life.
It also has a significant impact on the daily lives of parents and caregivers navigating these challenges while trying to provide food for their children. Parents str.
