Dietitians Australia has called on the Australian Government to guarantee access to dietetic support for children with autism and mild to moderate developmental delays who face severe eating challenges. This request is part of the new Thriving Kids Program aimed at addressing the nutritional needs of these children, who often experience complex dietary issues due to their neurodivergence.
The peak body emphasizes that the prevalence of eating and nutrition challenges in this demographic is not adequately recognized. According to Dietitians Australia President Dr. Fiona Willer, parents must be assured their children will receive essential dietetic therapeutic support under the program.
Dr. Willer highlighted that it is common for children on the autism spectrum and those with developmental differences to have strong sensory aversions to food, which can adversely affect their nutritional intake and overall quality of life. She pointed out that conditions like Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) are prevalent among neurodivergent children, along with Paediatric Feeding Disorder.
The strong sensory sensitivities experienced by these children create various challenges when it comes to eating. “This is not merely fussy eating. It involves severely restrictive eating patterns, repetitive behaviors, and even anxiety or fear regarding certain foods,” Dr. Willer explained. For instance, a child with psychosocial-related eating challenges might find mashed potatoes feel like glue in their mouth, or the smell of cooked vegetables may induce nausea.
Many children gravitate towards “safe foods”—specific brands, textures, or flavors—while avoiding those that trigger sensory overload. This can lead to dangerous eating behaviors that might result in long-term health complications, including malnutrition, bone density loss, and even organ damage.
In the short term, inadequate nutrition disrupts sleep, attention, mood, and energy levels, affecting a child’s ability to engage socially. Yet, Dr. Willer remains optimistic, stating that early detection and support can significantly alter the trajectory of these children’s lives.
With appropriate therapeutic support from dietitians, children can avoid serious long-term health impacts. Dr. Willer insists that consistent dietetic support is vital for effectively managing these challenges. She urges that dietetic services be explicitly included in the Thriving Kids Program as a necessary complement to interventions provided by occupational therapists and psychologists.
Currently, there are insufficient options within publicly funded health services for these children to receive ongoing dietetic support. Consequently, Dietitians Australia calls upon the Thriving Kids Advisory Committee to consider the serious eating challenges many neurodivergent children face while designing the program.
The organization emphasizes the importance of listening to the experiences of people with disabilities and those with severe feeding challenges, along with representatives from Australia’s Disabled People’s Representative Organisations. They warn that any reduction in individualized support could lead to long-term harm for these vulnerable children.
As the Thriving Kids Program takes shape, the inclusion of comprehensive dietetic support could play a crucial role in enhancing the health and wellbeing of many children across Australia.
