Healthy Eating for Autism: Supporting Kids with Sensory Food Challenges
Selective eating in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often stems from sensory aversions to textures, smells, or appearances, limiting nutritional variety. Lets explore some of these challenges and provide tips for introducing diverse foods while ensuring balanced nutrition. We blend functional medicine with practical strategies, focusing on biochemistry's role in sensory eating.
Understanding Selective Eating in Autism
Children with ASD may refuse foods due to heightened sensory processing, where certain textures trigger discomfort. This "picky eating" can often be linked to atypical brain responses in the insula, this part of the brain is crucial for sensory integration.
Biochemically, gut dysbiosis—common in ASD—affects serotonin production, influencing appetite. Low zinc or vitamin B12 levels can impair taste perception, exacerbating aversions.
The Impact of Sensory Food Challenges
Selective eating risks nutritional deficiencies, impacting growth and cognition. Aver...
Improve Autism Repetitive Behaviors: Navigating Routines and Transitions for Kids
Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often face challenges with repetitive behaviors and resistance to change, impacting daily routines and transitions. This article addresses these issues and offers strategies to promote adaptability while reducing meltdowns. We integrate functional medicine, highlighting nutrition’s role in behavioral health.
Understanding Repetitive Behaviors and Resistance to Change
In ASD, repetitive behaviors like hand-flapping or lining up objects often serve as self-regulation, driven by differences in the brain’s basal ganglia. Resistance to change stems from a need for predictability, linked to atypical prefrontal cortex function.
Biochemically, low serotonin—90% produced in the gut—can heighten anxiety during transitions. Magnesium deficiencies may increase nerve excitability, amplifying meltdowns, while oxidative stress can impair emotional regulation.
The Impact of Behavioral Challenges
Resistance to change can lead to meltdowns, disrupting sc...
Sensory Smarts: Helping Your Child Thrive with Sensory Differences
Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often face sensory processing issues, like noise sensitivity or texture aversions, that can shape their daily experiences. In this article we explore these challenges and offer practical adjustments, such as sensory-friendly environments, to help your child thrive. We integrate functional medicine, emphasizing nutrition’s role in sensory health.
Understanding Sensory Processing Issues in Autism
Sensory processing differences in ASD stem from atypical brain responses, particularly in the sensory cortex, causing over- or under-reactivity to stimuli like loud sounds or rough fabrics. This can lead to distress or withdrawal.
Biochemically, magnesium deficiencies can heighten nerve excitability, while low omega-3s impair brain plasticity, affecting sensory regulation. Gut imbalances, common in ASD, may disrupt serotonin, influencing sensory comfort.
The Impact of Sensory Challenges
Noise sensitivity might cause meltdowns in crowded places, w...