Exploring New Foods and Overcoming Food Selectivity in Children with Developmental Disabilities

By: Helene Cierzo, Mental Health Specialist | Wednesday, April 9, 2025 | Child Care

Young girl holding apple

Food selectivity is a common challenge for many children particularly those with developmental disabilities like Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Children with food selectivity often have limited food preferences, frequently refuse meals, and may exhibit sensory sensitivities to various food items. If you find yourself making the same few meals repetitively, or if your child avoids certain food groups, it might be a sign of food selectivity. They may have an aversion to certain textures, temperatures, colors, or flavors of food.

Consulting Your Pediatrician  

The first step to addressing food selectivity is to consult with your pediatrician. It is crucial to rule out any underlying medical issues. For instance, children with Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, or GERD, may notice certain foods can trigger or worsen their reflux, or make them feel uncomfortable. In response, they may avoid those foods to manage their reflux. Your pediatrician may want to rule out food allergies or intolerances.  

Dysphagia is a swallowing disorder that can also affect a child's eating habits by making it more difficult to move food or liquids safely. To assess whether or not your child has a swallowing disorder, your doctor may recommend a pediatric feeding evaluation. If you are looking for a pediatric feeding evaluation and treatment center, RWJ Barnabas Health, St. Joseph’s Health, and the Valley Health System offer these services.  

Strategies for Picky Eaters 

When introducing new foods, it is best to keep portion sizes small. Think of it as a tasting experience, rather than presenting a new food as a meal. You can always give more if they want more. Pair new foods with favorites. For example, if your child loves pizza, serve a slice of pizza with a new food to try like one piece of broccoli or a few blueberries.

Make Mealtime Engaging: Sit down and eat with your child. Modeling is a powerful tool in getting your child to try new foods. Let them watch you eat the food that you would like them to try. You can also let them participate in food prep. They can help you wash the blueberries or put them on plates. Make it fun. You can get creative, and make food look interesting.  

Tips for Getting Kids Involved

• Have them help you prepare meals. 
• They can cut food into cute shapes with cookie cutters, or sandwich cutters. 
• Try cartoon skewers or bento boxes with a variety of options. 
• Make an art design with the food. 
• Offer choices in what they would like to try. For example: Would you like to try a strawberry or grape?  
• Have them help you shop for groceries and talk about what you can make together.  

Encouraging New Food Experiences

Provide positive feedback when they try new foods, even if it is only a single bite.  Celebrate every attempt and create opportunities for repeated exposure to new foods. After your child tries a new food, continue to expose your child to that food regularly. Gradually increase portion size.

Setting Healthy Eating Routines 

• Sit with your child and eat with your child. 
• Modeling is your superpower! 
• Avoid distractions at mealtime.  
• Turn off electronics. That means you too, parents! 
• Keep toys off the table during mealtime. 

Grow a Garden Together

Introduce gardening as a fun way for children to learn about healthy eating. Allow them to participate in the gardening process. They can help dig in the dirt, plant seeds, water the garden, and pick ripe fruits, vegetables, and herbs. This is a great opportunity for children to get outside and enjoy nature. Studies show that eating more fruits and vegetables boosts children’s physical and mental health. Growing a garden together is also a great family bonding activity.

Avoiding Power Struggles 

Respect your child's choices when it comes to trying new foods. Instead of forcing them, encourage gradual exposure:

• Touch the food item 
• Try having them smell the new food 
• Would they lick the food?  
• Lastly, will they take a bite? 

Celebrate Baby Steps 

Celebrate small victories when trying new foods. If your child simply touches or smells a new food, praise them enthusiastically! Be patient with the process. Continue serving foods they’ve tried in small portions while pairing them with beloved options.

By empowering your child to explore and engage with food positively, you can help them develop healthy eating habits that incorporate a variety of foods and flavors.

Resources for Food Scarcity 

If your family is facing challenges in accessing affordable food, consider reaching out to local resources like:  

• NJ Snap 
• https://www.nj.gov/humanservices/njsnap/ 
• MEND Hunger Relief Network, Essex County 
• https://mendnj.org/ 
• Neighbors Helping Neighbors, Livingston 
• Phone: 973-535-7961, ext. 231
• amillan@livingstonnj.org 
• Center For Food Action, Hackensack 
• https://www.cfanj.org/gethelp/