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Unfortunately, there is no current criteria to define minor picky eating habits vs. more severe selective eating. We talk a lot about the autism spectrum and how it affects children differently and in a range of intensity, and it can be helpful to think of your child’s relationship with food in a similar broad spectrum.

Some children will exhibit minor picky eating habits like reluctance to try new foods that they will outgrow in childhood. Other children might exhibit more severe eating patterns such as eating only one type of food or refusing solid foods altogether.⁴ 

You can find a few specific examples of picky-eaters and more severe selective eaters in our nutrition guide.