Hello good people of lemmy! I come to you today with a question. So I’ve been doing some research into whether or not I have ASD. One of the main ways I’ve been “diagnosing” myself is by looking back at my childhood and seeing if any symptoms line up. One that isn’t really matching up is the aversion to trying new foods.
I’ve always been really good at trying new foods. I’ve never had a problem with it, and if I’m in a restaurant I sometimes try to find new stuff to try out if it sounds good.
Could this be an indication that I might not be autistic? I do have other symptoms, albeit some are kinda mild.
I should also mention that while I do try new foods, once I’ve found what I like, I tend to just eat that one thing. For example, I get the same thing every time no matter where I go, if I know what I like.
Thanks!
In the diagnostic criteria for ASD in the DSM 5, eating the same foods every day is specifically listed as a symptom and matches up with what you’re describing. Not every autistic person has the same sensitivities, and some people on the spectrum are even sensory seeking and may enjoy things that would drive another person on the spectrum up the wall.
Keep in mind as well a lot of the descriptions of autistic behavior are focused on children, who are less able to mask than adults. So think about how you would have reacted to being presented with new foods at like 5-8 years old, not necessarily now.
And informally I would say that overthinking the hell out of the diagnostic criteria should itself count as a symptom, haha.
I don’t necessarily eat the same foods every day. Usually it’s just whatever my mom makes for dinner, and whatever I can get at work.
I do however know what I like, and if I’m at a grocery store picking out what I want to eat, I’ll typically just get the stuff I like.
In a restaurant I will always get the same thing. Pad thai at my local asian restaurant, Bacon cheeseburger (all the way) at five guys, etc.