The Ironic Relation Between Food and Autism Spectrum Disorder During Infancy: A Deep Dive

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Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), or simply autism, is a developmental and neurological condition that affects how an individual learns, communicates, and interacts with others. Restricted interests and challenges regarding social communication often characterize people with this disorder.

As per the Cleveland Clinic, the common symptoms of autism include –

Not responding to one’s name or being called
Being unable to make joyful expressions
Not babbling by the age of 12 months like other infants
Not speaking any words even by the age of 16 months
Having unusual or obsessive interests
Sensory-seeking behaviors like licking or sniffing objects
Reacting extremely to small changes in routine

Another often overlooked issue prevalent among babies diagnosed with autism includes various food difficulties. The inverse is also true, where food may lead to the disorder. In this article, we will discuss the ironic relation between ASD and food.

Toxic Food May Cause Autism

In recent years, it has been found that commercial baby food is linked to autism. This is mainly due to traces of heavy metals in the food products. TorHoerman Law shares that heavy metals include cadmium, mercury, arsenic, and lead.

In March 2021, parents of injured infants started filing the baby food autism lawsuit. Some of the primary defendants in this lawsuit include food manufacturing companies like Gerber, Nurture Inc., Hain, and Beech-Nut. This litigation has currently been consolidated into a class-action multi-district litigation (MDL).

As per recent updates, more than 100 such lawsuits have been filed across the US. Plaintiffs have alleged that the baby food companies were aware of toxic heavy metals in their products but failed to inform the consumers. Some of the common food items associated with this litigation include sweet potato baby food, puff snacks, rice cereals, and teething biscuits.

Presently, the autism lawsuit is in its pre-trial stages. Defendants have even filed motions to dismiss many of the cases. Bellwether trials are expected to begin soon. Can studies back the claims of the aforementioned litigation? Yes, since the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) itself has introduced the ‘Closer to Zero’ initiative to reduce food contaminants linked to autism.

The initiative involves the following –

Developing better testing methods to ensure lower levels of contaminants
Conducting surveys on foods commonly consumed by infants
Collaborating with Federal partners to reduce contaminant levels
Measuring dietary exposure to the said contaminants
Identifying reference contaminant levels so they can help determine levels of concern

It is believed that the initiative is not being carried out as swiftly as plaintiffs had expected. Moreover, it does beg the question of whether simply reducing the levels of contaminants is the right answer. Given how dangerous some of these heavy metals can be, the need of the hour is to eliminate all possible traces from baby foods.

Autistic Babies May Experience Specific Food Difficulties

If your child or someone you know has been diagnosed with autism, the term ‘picky eating’ would often be used in association. Children with this disorder often face a variety of issues involving food.

As the title of this article shows, the relationship between food and ASD is complex, unique, and ironic. Let’s look at the three major food difficulties autistic babies generally experience.

Problematic Mealtime Behaviors

Mealtime can be among the most challenging hours of the day for parents whose children have been diagnosed with autism. Infants as young as two years old may display ritualistic eating attitudes. An example would be not allowing different food items to touch each other on the plate.

Similarly, an autistic child may face sensory aversion to certain food items, especially those that may be unfamiliar. This could cause them to lash out or experience high levels of stress and anxiety. One may also find that babies with ASD gradually choose to consume only those food items that feel a certain way in their mouths.

Breastfeeding Challenges

The sensory issues often associated with autism also make breastfeeding a challenge. Let’s look at how breastfeeding may differ in the case of autistic babies when compared to non-autistic counterparts –

The former may be hypersensitive to touch or the room’s temperature.
Their breastfeeding pattern may be dysfunctional, marked by vigorous sucking that does not stop even when they’re full.
Many autistic babies experience latching difficulties.
There may also be difficulties with swallowing involved.
Weaning autistic babies is a challenge and may come later in life.

Food Selectivity and Refusal

Just like babies with autism are characterized by restrictive interests, their food choices may reflect something similar. It has often been observed that such children may prefer more processed foods or carbohydrates instead of healthy fruits and vegetables.

Since kids with ASD tend to be hypersensitive to certain tastes and smells, they may develop an aversion to some food items. On the other hand, they may also prefer only one or two types of food for every meal. This highly limits their food choices and could cause nutrient deficiencies in the body.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has found that around 1 in 36 children suffer from ASD. The condition is more common among boys than girls (as high as four times). The World Health Organization (WHO) states that the disorder is not usually diagnosed at the time of childhood. Parents may be able to detect the condition through its distinct symptoms and characteristics.

Since we’re focusing on food difficulties associated with the disorder, let’s mention some ways to tackle the problem. Parents can establish a mealtime schedule, use rewards to encourage new foods, reduce sensory overload like bright lights, and consult with a lactation expert.

*This article is based on personal suggestions and/or experiences and is for informational purposes only. This should not be used as professional advice. Please consult a professional where applicable.