Why Do Children with Autism Overeat? | Causes & Solutions

Many parents often notice that their child with autism is constantly looking for food, even after having a full meal. Overeating is not just about hunger—it can actually be a part of autistic behavior, just like hyperactivity, sensory issues, or repetitive movements (flapping).

This behavior can create challenges for families. For example

• A child may gain excess weight.

• Sometimes, they may take food from others’ plates in public places.

• At school, they may even eat from another child’s lunchbox.

So, why do children with autism overeat? There are several reasons behind this

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1. Oral Sensory Issues

Children with autism often have oral sensory needs. They may not always want to eat because of hunger, but because they like the texture of food in their mouth. This oral seeking behavior leads them to chew or swallow more food than necessary, resulting in overeating.

2. Difficulty with Body Sensation (Interoception)

Many autistic children have trouble recognizing their body’s internal signals, such as hunger, fullness, sleepiness, or the need to use the toilet. Because they are less aware of these sensations, they might not realize when their stomach is already full.
This lack of awareness may also cause delays in toilet training, excessive sleep, or crying during sleep, along with overeating.

3. Overeating as a Response to Stress

Just like adults may eat more when stressed, children with autism can also overeat to cope with anxiety. Certain stress-related hormones in their body make them crave food, as eating helps lower their stress levels temporarily.

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How Can Parents Help?

It’s important to understand that stopping overeating is not about focusing on just one behavior. Parents and therapists need to work on

• Reducing oral sensory issues (through oral-motor activities or safe alternatives).

• Improving body awareness so children can recognize when they are full.

• Reducing stress through calming strategies, structured routines, and therapy.