Autism and Nutrition: How a Dietitian Can Help Your Child Thrive

By Thomas Paavola, APD

🧡 Every child deserves to enjoy food, feel well, and grow with confidence.

For many families of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), food can be a daily source of stress. You might feel worried that your child isn’t getting enough variety, frustrated by mealtime battles, or confused about which nutrition advice to follow. You’re not alone.

At Ellipse Health, we understand that feeding challenges in autism are not about “picky eating”. They’re often rooted in sensory sensitivities, gut discomfort, and anxiety - and they deserve gentle, evidence-based support.

We help children with autism build a positive relationship with food, improve their nutritional intake, and support their wellbeing - one meal at a time.

Why Many Children with Autism Struggle with Food

Children on the autism spectrum often experience unique challenges that affect how, what, and when they eat. Here are some of the most common ones - and how dietetic support can make a difference.

1. Sensory Sensitivities and Food Selectivity

If your child only eats a handful of foods or rejects certain textures, smells, or colours, it’s likely due to sensory sensitivities. For some children, the crunch of a carrot or the smell of certain meats can feel genuinely overwhelming.

How we help: We help you prioritise which foods are important to expose your child to in a gentle yet structured way, based on their nutritional value and your child's nutritional priorities. We help take the pressure off you as parents by simplifying your child's diet while ensuring they are receiving adequate energy and nutrients to thrive.

“Progress isn’t about forcing new foods for the sake of variety - it’s about knowing which key foods support your child's health, and helping them feel safe enough to explore them.”

2. Digestive Discomfort

Many autistic children experience constipation, bloating, or tummy pain. This can make eating even more stressful and affect their mood and focus.

How we help: We assess your child’s diet, hydration, and gut function to identify the root causes of this discomfort - such as nutritional deficiencies, dehydration, inflammation, food intolerances, or meal timing/frequency. From there, we guide you through practical, family-friendly solutions that aim to improve gut function, for good.

3. Low Energy or Nutrient Deficiencies

When a child eats from a very limited food list, they may miss out on essential nutrients like iron, zinc, vitamin D, calcium, and omega-3s - all important for energy, learning, and growth.

How we help: We review nutrient intake, recommend blood testing (with your paediatrician or GP), and create a targeted yet realistic food and supplement plan that fits your child’s specific needs, preferences, and sensory profile.

4. Stressful Mealtimes

Families often tell us that mealtimes have become a battleground. Rigid food rules and mealtime anxiety can lead to frustration and guilt for both parents and children.

How we help: We teach families how to create calm, structured mealtimes that support exploration, not conflict - helping children build confidence and curiosity with food at their own pace.

4. Managing Comorbidities

Children with autism commonly have specific medical conditions affecting their health and/or dietary requirements. Children must be assessed and treated on an individual basis, with their health background, dieting history, and medical concerns collectively considered by supporting healthcare practitioners.

How we help: We are experienced in formulating and delivering therapeutic dietary interventions that may be necessary in the management of certain chronic health conditions, such as epilepsy, diabetes, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

The Dietitian’s Role in Autism Support

A dietitian who specialises in autism doesn’t just talk about food - they help families make sense of the bigger picture. That means understanding how nutrition interacts with:

• Sensory processing differences

• Gut health and digestion

• Growth and development

• Emotional wellbeing

At Ellipse Health, our approach is collaborative and compassionate. We work closely with your child’s GP, paediatrician, psychologist, and therapists to ensure care is consistent and supportive across all areas.

“We believe progress is about connection, not perfection - and every small change counts.”

When to Seek Support

It may be time to see a dietitian if your child:

• Eats fewer than 15–20 foods

• Avoids entire food groups (e.g. fruits, vegetables, meats, or dairy)

• Experiences constipation, diarrhoea, or persistent gut discomfort

• Has poor growth, low energy, or nutrient deficiencies

• Feels anxious or distressed around food

  
  

Early, gentle support can make a meaningful difference for your child’s comfort, growth, and confidence.

We’re Here to Help

Ellipse Health offers face-to-face dietetic consultations at Banksia Paediatrics in Erina on the Central Coast NSW, and online appointments for families across Australia.

Our senior dietitian, Thomas Paavola, has extensive experience supporting children with autism and sensory-related feeding difficulties. His calm, collaborative approach helps children feel safe while empowering parents with practical strategies that work at home.