Beyond “Picky Eating”: Understanding Eating Behaviours in Autism Through a Neurodevelopmental Lens
Eating differences are among the most common, yet frequently misunderstood, characteristics experienced by autistic individuals. Too often, these behaviours are dismissed as simple “picky eating,” implying choice, defiance, or poor parenting. However, growing evidence demonstrates that eating behaviours in autism arise from complex interactions between sensory processing, interoception, executive functioning, anxiety, motor coordination, and the
