Prioritize: Trying to solve all problems at once is a mistake. This increases stress. Additionally, children with autism do not like uncertainty and changes in routines. Therefore, goals should be set in order of priority.

Meal times should be regular: Meals should be consumed around the same time each day. Try to minimize distractions during mealtimes. For example, watching television or using a phone during meals is inappropriate.

Encourage participation: Encourage them to help when preparing meals, setting the table, and clearing it.

Introduce different foods: Talk about food and decide together how it will be prepared.

Praise them: It’s very important to congratulate them when positive eating behavior develops, such as when they try a new food. Eating meals with family members is important.

Present similar foods: Presenting a food we want them to consume mixed with a familiar and preferred food increases their familiarity with the new food and reduces anxiety about it. Eye-catching and fun presentations will help them enjoy that food over time.

Offer choices: It’s important to provide children with as many options as possible so they feel in control of their meals.

Be consistent and patient: To truly understand whether a food is liked, it must be encountered many times. Therefore, patience is essential.

Avoid using a reward system: While this may seem like a quick solution, it will not yield the desired results in the long run, and they will only consume the food to receive the reward. The goal is for them to enjoy new foods and develop healthy eating habits.

The aim is to ensure adequate and balanced nutrition for individuals with food selectivity and to help them develop proper eating habits. Negative eating behaviors become more entrenched the longer they persist, and overcoming them takes time. It should be remembered that eating behaviors can only change over time and that healthy eating habits have long-term positive effects.