Dietitians Australia is advocating for guaranteed access to dietetic support for children with autism and mild to moderate developmental delays. This call comes as part of the new Thriving Kids Program, aimed at addressing severe and enduring eating challenges faced by neurodivergent children. The organization highlights a significant gap in understanding the prevalence of these challenges, urging the government to ensure that parents can rely on dietetic support for their children.
According to Dr. Fiona Willer, President of Dietitians Australia, many autistic children and those with developmental differences experience strong sensory aversions to food, severely impacting their nutritional intake and overall quality of life. “Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) is one prevalent example of a complex eating disorder many neurodivergent children experience,” Dr. Willer explained.
The heightened sensory sensitivity common among these children creates various complex challenges when it comes to eating. Dr. Willer clarified that this is not merely fussy eating; it often involves severely restrictive eating patterns, repetitive behaviors, and anxiety surrounding specific foods. For instance, a child may perceive mashed potatoes as having an unpleasant texture, while the smell of cooked vegetables might induce nausea. Such experiences can lead to the selection of “safe foods,” which are familiar in texture, brand, or flavor, while actively avoiding those that overwhelm their senses.
Long-term consequences of these eating patterns can be severe. Dr. Willer noted that inadequate nutrition can lead to malnutrition, bone density loss, muscle weakness, and gastrointestinal issues, with extreme cases potentially resulting in organ damage. In the short term, insufficient nutrition can disrupt sleep, affect focus at school, and hinder a child’s ability to connect with peers and family.
Dr. Willer emphasized that early intervention and support can significantly alter the trajectory of these children’s lives. “With the right therapeutic support and nutritional guidance from a dietitian, we can protect children from developing serious long-term health impacts,” she stated.
Ongoing dietetic support is crucial for the effective prevention and management of feeding challenges. This support should complement the therapeutic interventions provided by occupational therapists and psychologists. Dietitians Australia insists that dietetic support must be explicitly included in the Thriving Kids Program as a recognized resource for autistic children and those with mild to moderate developmental differences.
Currently, options for ongoing dietetic support within public health services are insufficient, raising concerns among advocates. Dietitians Australia urges members of the Thriving Kids Advisory Committee to consider the unique eating-related challenges faced by many neurodivergent children in Australia.
The organization stresses the importance of listening to the experiences of people with disabilities and their families. Any reduction in individualized support for these children could lead to long-term harm. Through its advocacy, Dietitians Australia aims to ensure that every child receives the necessary dietary support to thrive.
