Overview

Dr Anna Bryne-Smith, Clinical Psychologist in the Feeding and Eating Disorder team at Great Ormond Street Hospital, will explore the complex relationship between autism and eating. The session will examine why many autistic children and young people experience restricted diets, limited variety, or reduced quantity of food, and how professionals can support both them and their parents. Anna will discuss sensory, emotional, and cognitive factors, including anxiety cycles around mealtimes, and share practical strategies such as positive routines, gradual exposure to new foods, and collaborative approaches with parents to create calm, supportive eating environments.

Learning Objective

To understand why autistic children and young people may experience challenges with eating, including sensory sensitivities, anxiety around food, and restricted variety. The webinar will explore how sensory, emotional, and cognitive factors influence mealtimes. It will provide practical strategies such as structured routines, food chaining, and collaborative parent support to help children feel safer, more confident, and more comfortable around food. Practical strategies will be shared to help children feel more comfortable and confident around food, including building positive mealtime routines, supporting gradual exposure to new foods and working in partnership with parents to create a calm, supportive eating environment.

Learning Outcomes

  1. An understanding of how sensory sensitivities and anxiety can influence eating in autistic children.
  2. Recognise patterns of avoidance and mealtime stress and understand how “anxiety loops” can develop.
  3. Support parents with strategies for creating calm, supportive eating environments and building positive mealtime routines.
  4. Understanding of “food chaining” to support gradual exposure and acceptance of new foods.
  5. Work collaboratively with parents to develop realistic, individualised plans to support their child’s eating.
  6. Promote long-term, positive changes that reduce distress and increase comfort and confidence around food.