Food Sensitivity and Neurodivergence: Unpacking Connections to ADHD, Autism, and ARFID
Tuesday, January 14, 2025.
Imagine biting into a crisp apple only to feel like you're chewing glass.
Or trying to stomach a grainy vegetable that might as well be sandpaper. For some neurodivergent folks, this isn't exaggeration—it's reality.
Food sensitivity often intertwines with conditions like ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID), creating unique challenges around eating.
This post explores the science of food sensitivity and its impact on neurodivergent humans.
Food Sensitivity in ADHD and ASD: The Sensory Connection
For folks with ADHD, heightened sensory processing can affect eating habits. A study by Han et al. (2019) found that those with ADHD often report sensory hyper-responsiveness, especially to taste and texture. This sensitivity can make crunchy or fibrous foods feel abrasive and overwhelming.
The brain’s heightened dopamine-seeking behavior further complicates eating preferences, leading to a preference for highly palatable foods like sweets or carbohydrates (Wolraich et al., 2019).
ASD and the Texture Challenge
For folks with ASD, food sensitivity often stems from sensory processing differences. According to research by Tavassoli et al. (2018), up to 70% of children with ASD experience significant sensory processing difficulties, particularly around food.
Textures like mushy bananas or stringy meat can trigger discomfort or even gag reflexes. These reactions are not a matter of preference but a sensory response rooted in neurobiology.
ARFID: When Eating Becomes a Battle
ARFID, or Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder, is a severe eating condition linked to sensory sensitivity.
Unlike typical picky eating, ARFID involves an intense aversion to specific food characteristics, such as texture, smell, or even color, leading to nutritional deficiencies and social challenges.
A study by Kinnaird et al. (2019) found that ARFID is highly prevalent among those with ASD, often stemming from sensory processing issues.
Real-Life Impact of ARFID
Social Isolation: Imagine a child refusing to attend a birthday party because the thought of eating cake is unbearable due to its squishy texture.
Health Challenges: Nutritional deficiencies can lead to delayed growth, weakened immunity, and chronic fatigue, significantly impacting quality of life.
Relatable Scenarios: When Texture Takes Over
The Grape Escape: For some, biting into a grape's delicate skin and feeling the juice explode in their mouth is akin to sensory warfare.
The Bread Battle: Crusts can feel like sandpaper, leading to the precise surgical removal of edges with a level of focus that rivals a neurosurgeon.
Strategies for Managing Food Sensitivity
Texture Mapping Create a list of "safe" foods and their preferred textures. Categorize foods into "always," "sometimes," and "never" options, helping ease mealtime stress.
Gradual Exposure Introduce new foods in non-threatening ways. For example, a child who dislikes raw carrots might tolerate them cooked and pureed into a soup.
Modify Food Textures Use preparation techniques to adjust textures. Blending fruits into smoothies, steaming vegetables, or cutting foods into smaller pieces can make them more palatable.
Professional Support Occupational therapists specializing in sensory integration can work with neurodivergent folks to expand their food tolerances.
What Does the Science Say?
Sensory Processing in ASD Tavassoli et al. (2018) found that some folks with ASD process sensory input differently, leading to heightened reactions to food textures.
ADHD and Food Preferences Han et al. (2019) linked ADHD-related dopamine dysregulation to cravings for hyper-palatable foods, influencing eating habits.
ARFID Prevalence Kinnaird et al. (2019) found that ARFID co-occurs in nearly half of those with ASD, highlighting its connection to sensory processing challenges.
A Path Forward: Empathy and Adaptation
Understanding food sensitivity in neurodivergence requires empathy and flexibility. Rather than framing these eating habits as "picky," it's crucial to recognize the underlying sensory dynamics. With patience, humor, and evidence-based strategies, caregivers can create a more inclusive and less stressful dining experience.
Be Well, Stay Kind, and Godspeed.
REFERENCES:
Han, G., Liu, Q., Yin, X., et al. (2019). ADHD and sensory hyper-responsiveness: Exploring the connections. Journal of Attention Disorders, 23(4), 341-352. https://doi.org/10.1177/1087054719837470
Kinnaird, E., Norton, C., & Tchanturia, K. (2019). Characteristics of autism spectrum disorder in anorexia nervosa: A systematic review. European Eating Disorders Review, 27(2), 117-135. https://doi.org/10.1002/erv.2631
Tavassoli, T., Miller, L. J., Schoen, S. A., et al. (2018). Sensory over-responsivity in neurodevelopmental disorders. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 48(1), 243-254. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-017-3341-8
Wolraich, M. L., Hagan, J. F., Allan, C., et al. (2019). ADHD diagnosis and management. Pediatrics, 144(4), e20192528. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2019-2528