Autism Child Avoids Foods with Strong Smells
You are well aware of the sensory challenges faced by many children with Autism. It is common for children with autism to have a hypersensitivity to smells. This can cause problems when eating. Anxiety can lead to food refusal, and it can interfere with the ability of a child to participate in important social aspects at mealtime. It can be stressful for the whole family.
Your son may be leaving the table to escape the fear or other unpleasant emotions he feels when he smells certain food.
You are right to support him in his desire to sit down at the table and enjoy these aromas. Slowly is the key. It is important to expose him to smells slowly. It is important to gradually bring him to the table until he is able to handle food smells.
This technique is called “graduated exposure”, “systematic desensitization”, and other fancy words in psychology. This technique involves teaching children distraction, relaxation and other calming techniques to reduce anxiety when they are exposed to something that they fear.
These approaches should be tailored to the child’s age, developmental level and ability to cope with stress. It is important to enlist the help of a child psychologist or behavioural therapist if your child has been working with one. Remember that not all children will respond to the same intervention. As a rule, it’s best to work with a specialist who has the chance to get acquainted with your child.
Here are some strategies to consider.
Relieve Stress Before Eating
Before and after meals, it’s essential that your son can relax comfortably. Before transitioning him into mealtime, teach strategies for relieving any anxiety associated with trying new foods – for instance, deep breathing techniques, sensory exercises or visual aids may all be used to ease tension or anxiety associated with trying something new. After each meal provide a relaxing atmosphere with positive reinforcement to create an enjoyable environment around food that encourages relaxation.
Exercise can be beneficial for your son, e.g., if he exercises before eating. Exercise releases endorphins that reduce anxiety. Consider joining your son for some running, jumping, or dancing before eating.
Enjoying your favourite sensory experience or activity is a great way to start the meal on a positive, relaxed note.
You can also help your son relax by doing deep breathing exercises. Slowly inhale through the chest from his stomach, hold it for a few moments, and then slowly exhale. This should be repeated several times. Blow bubbles to teach deep breathing.
Helpful Distraction
At our restaurant, our goal is for your son to enjoy meals and socialize without being distracted by food smells. Initially, distractions may help ease his anxiety. Engaging him with activities around or near the table will also be effective at diverting his focus away from unpleasant smells. Play soothing music, allow him to use his favourite toy or watch his preferred TV show or video during meals; make it clear that these privileges depend on him staying seated. As your child becomes more comfortable, gradually lessen the time these distractions last until he no longer needs them. Although it’s not ideal to encourage kids to eat while distracted, such an approach serves as a temporary measure to facilitate mealtime progress.
You could, for example, play some soothing music. You could also let him play with his favourite toy. You could even let him watch his favourite TV show or video during mealtimes. Tell him that to keep his toy or continue to watch the video, he needs to sit at the table (or close to it).
If the distraction is effective, you can gradually reduce its duration until your child doesn’t need it anymore. It’s not ideal for children to eat with toys or in front of a TV. This is a temporary tool that will get things started.
Encouragement and Praise
Celebrate each small success and encourage continuous development by celebrating each small achievement, acknowledging genuine efforts, and rewarding genuine interests regularly. By doing this, you reinforce positive behaviour while encouraging continuous development.
Establish a reward system where each step towards a larger goal is acknowledged and acknowledged appropriately. For example, if the aim is for your child to sit comfortably at the dinner table and enjoy eating food they previously avoided, such as unfamiliar smells. Reward them first for showing interest in what was served at the dinner table without discomfort and then for tasting small amounts of food from their plate.
These incremental rewards not only motivate children but also foster confidence and willingness to approach difficult situations with an open mindset. Reaching your “big goal” – like sharing a meal together – becomes a shared victory with an accompanying reward that recognizes all your hard work. This approach fosters an environment in which children feel supported in overcoming obstacles and reaching milestones together.
How to Put the Steps Into Action
Start small to facilitate a gradual transition for your son towards dining at the table, beginning with small steps is key. If he currently prefers sitting in the living area while others eat at the dining table, try moving his seat a bit closer towards the kitchen area until his seat moves towards it completely. Positive reinforcement of his efforts throughout this transition process should also be encouraged and praised to foster his comfort within this new setting.
As part of your gradual approach, gradually move his chair closer to the table every few days based on his comfort level and reactions. Consistency and patience are essential here; every small achievement should be acknowledged and celebrated – for instance, if he manages to eat closer or stay seated longer at his meal, these achievements should be recognized with praise or even small rewards – reinforcing progress and building his trust in this new dining arrangement.
By making these gradual changes and employing supportive strategies, you create a nurturing environment that fosters your son’s engagement in mealtime routines, with the ultimate aim of having him dine comfortably at the table with the family.
Tell Your Son That You Love Having Him Close To The Family.
As your son navigates his food-smell sensitivity and transitions towards dining at a table, it’s essential that you employ various strategies – distractions and relaxation techniques may help ease anxiety during mealtime adjustments; should he become anxious, changing techniques may prove helpful.
Sensory-sensitive children often react strongly to certain food aromas. As such, some meals or specific foods may require more comprehensive coping mechanisms than others. Understanding this variability allows you to tailor your approach appropriately; being patient and flexible as you navigate mealtime challenges can only help make the journey smoother!
Desensitization may take anywhere from weeks to months, depending on your child’s comfort and readiness. To be effective, however, you must remain persistent even if progress seems slow at times; consistent implementation of strategies and support will build your son’s confidence while aiding his gradual adaptation to new mealtime routines. By understanding his individual needs and being committed to his recovery over time, you can help him build resilience and gain greater comfort during dining situations.
