NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Many kids are picky eaters but new
research suggests the trait is even more common in autistic
children who tend to refuse more foods and are more likely to
restrict their diets to a smaller variety of foods than other
children. Such habits in both autistic and non-autistic children
may put them at nutritional risk. "If children are not eating
foods from each of the food groups in sufficient amounts they
may be at risk for nutrient inadequacy," Dr. Linda Bandini, of
the E. K. Shriver Center, University of Massachusetts Medical
School and Boston University told Reuters Health in an email. At
the same time, Bandini is quick to remind parents who may be
concerned about their own children's eating habits that picky
eating is not a "core symptom of autism." "Autism is diagnosed
in children who have limitations or difficulties in several key
developmental areas such as language, communication, social
interaction, and rigid behavior. They may or may not be picky
eaters, so this behavior a