Taste

Sensory Processing - Neurodiversity Hub Wirral

Taste

Some children and young people (CYP) can feel overwhelmed by strong flavours or certain spices. The temperature of food—too hot or too cold—can also trigger sensory overload. 

Under-Sensitive to Taste

Some people: 

  • Enjoy very spicy or strong-flavoured foods 

  • Eat or mouth non-edible items like stones, dirt, soil, grass, metal, or faeces. This is called pica. 

Over-Sensitive to Taste

Some people: 

  • Find certain flavours too strong or overpowering 

  • Have a restricted diet 

  • Avoid foods with certain textures and may only eat smooth foods like mashed potatoes or ice cream 

Autistic people may prefer bland foods or crave strong flavours. If their diet includes enough variety, this is not always a problem. You can learn more about overeating and restricted diets through trusted resources.

Trying New Foods

Many CYP feel unsure about trying new foods. It can take up to 20 tastings before they accept a new food. 

Mealtimes can be stressful for CYP and their families. CYP may feel pressure to eat certain foods. Sometimes, CYP with autism will try new foods at school that they won’t try at home. This is often because trying new foods isn’t part of their home routine. Schools can be a good place for CYP to explore new tastes. 

What You Might See

If a CYP seeks more taste (gustatory stimuli), they may:

  • Enjoy spicy or strong flavours 

  • Regurgitate food for the acidic taste 

  • Eat non-edible items 

  • Fill their mouth with large amounts of food 

If a CYP is under-responsive to taste, they may:

  • Show little interest in food because it all tastes bland 

If a CYP is over-responsive to taste, they may:

  • Eat only a few types of food 

  • Feel anxious or follow strict routines at mealtimes 

  • Notice small differences in taste 

  • Gag or vomit when trying new foods 

  • Only tolerate small amounts of food in their mouth 

Supporting Taste Sensory Needs

📄 Additional Smell and Taste Activities 

Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)

Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) is when someone avoids certain foods, eats very little, or both. ARFID is not linked to concerns about weight or body shape. 

People may avoid or restrict food for different reasons: 

  1. Sensory sensitivity – They may react strongly to taste, texture, smell, or appearance. They may only eat foods at certain temperatures. 

  1. Distressing experiences – Past events like choking, vomiting, or pain can cause fear and anxiety around food. 

  1. Low appetite or interest – Some people don’t feel hunger like others do. Eating may feel like a chore. 

A person may have one or more of these reasons. ARFID looks different for each individual. That’s why it’s called an umbrella term—it includes many types of food-related challenges.

Signs of ARFID

Signs may include: 

  • Eating a small range of foods or not enough to stay healthy 

  • Not recognising hunger 

  • Feeling full after a few bites 

  • Taking a long time to eat or skipping meals 

  • Sensitivity to texture, smell, or temperature 

  • Being seen as a “picky eater” 

  • Always eating the same meals or different food from others 

  • Only eating foods of a certain colour (e.g. beige) 

  • Avoiding social events with food 

  • Feeling anxious at mealtimes 

  • Losing weight or not gaining expected weight 

  • Developing nutritional deficiencies (e.g. anaemia) 

  • Needing supplements to meet nutritional needs 

📄 More on ARFID – Beat Eating Disorders

Treatment for ARFID

Treatment depends on the person’s needs. It may involve: 

  • Family-based treatment (for young people) 

  • Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)

  • Exposure therapy

  • Anxiety management

  • Medication (usually for anxiety) 

  • Nutritional support from a dietitian 

  • Sensory support from occupational therapists or speech and language therapists 

Treatment is usually done in outpatient settings. A general practitioner (GP) should refer the person to the right service. Services may include: 

  • Community eating disorder services 

  • Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) 

  • Paediatric services 

  • Private practitioners 

Support and Resources

  • England Helpline: 0808 801 0677 

  • Online Support Groups: 
    Beat Eating Disorders – Support Now 

If you think you or your child may have ARFID, these resources can help you learn more and find support