Autism, From Someone Who Is On The Spectrum

Autism and Sensory Issues with Foods (October 2019)

This was inspired by sensitivity post about food and the one and only @PerfectlyImperfect89 for interest in this topic for a while.

Most people on the spectrum have issues with food between texture, taste, color, and smell. It comes across as picky eater when there are other issues with food.

Like many kids, I went through phrase when I would not eat certain things. Most weirdly I would not eat rice for about 5-7 years due to it is texture. I still have issue with oatmeal for same reason and have figure out that regular rice make good hot cereal when it is cold out. I will not eat carrots (no matter how they are made) because I fed them wrong most of my childhood so I am not sure what texture of them is suppose be. The only other texture issue, I have is I will not eat fresh peaches because the fuzzy skin.

I know in my case, my sensitivity to different texture is family issue. Recently, I made homemade whipped cream and one of my parents complain that whipped cream was too thick and who like the canned whipped cream better than the homemade whipped cream.

I rarely have issues with taste, color, smell. Recently, I had issue with taste because we found "Grilled Corn" Popcorn, it taste like it should be real grilled corn but my brain got confused because it taste one way but the texture is not right for the taste. I actually made myself sick off it because messed with my senses so much. Cucumbers are one of those foods, that I can eat them with dip or pickles. I have always the person who could go through a whole jar pickles in week if I am mood for pickles.

Color is not really an issue for me. I know some people have issue with color of foods including avocados (someone called them green mashed potatoes). I do not have issue with this!

Smell is not something most people think about I have issue when we make broccoli or cauliflower in the microwave but I love to eat both of them. I know the smell has nothing to do with how good something is. Growing up, I had issues with our family recipe for German Potatoes Salad because it has apple cider vinegar. I learned that the smell does not mean that it will not taste good.

So the next time, someone will not eat something ask if it is sensory issue instead of think it is them being a picky eater.