Is Your Autistic Child Drinking a Lot Normal?

As parents, it is very important to be observant of your child’s behavior primarily when it affects their health and well-being. It’s not uncommon for parents of autistic children to notice that their child has a tendency to drink a lot of fluids. In fact, it’s a concern that many parents of autistic children share. So, do autistic children drink a lot and is it something that parents need to worry about? In this blog post, we’ll explore why autistic children may drink a lot and whether or not your autistic child drinking a lot is a cause for concern.

**This post may contain affiliate links. Please read the full disclosure here.

Allow me to state while beginning this post I do know that there is a difference between saying “an autistic child” or “a child with autism.” I also know that some people strongly prefer to use one term while others strongly prefer the other.

I understand both viewpoints and will interchange my terminology in this post to be inclusive of all parents of autistic children and children with autism. <3**

Have you noticed your autistic child drinking a lot?

Having a child with autism brings an entirely new element into learning how to parent.

You might find yourself often questioning what is normal, what is ok, what aspects your autistic child needs help learning and maturing in, and what is their norm even if it is outside the spectrum of “normal.”

Each autistic child is very unique and can process and learn things differently. But there are a lot of similar behaviors that parents of autistic children will notice in their children.

One of these behaviors is drinking a lot.

What is Polydipsia in Autism?

Polydipsia is the medical term for a feeling of excessive thirst. There has been a scientific study done to analyze polydipsia in autistic children or that is: the excessive drinking behavior in autistic children.

In that study, the drinking habits of autistic children were compared to those of mentally retarded children, and the children with autism all drank more across the board.

It is important to note that both the eating and drinking habits of autistic children have been shown to be notably different when compared to neurotypical children in scientific studies (linked above).

There are multiple reasons for this and we will discuss each below. Also, there are times excessive drinking should cause concern as well as times when it shouldn’t (and we will cover those as well).

Let’s look into this further.

Why Autistic Children Drink a Lot

Firstly, yes, autistic children tend to drink a lot.

They are often thirsty and can drink more water than the “usual” amount. This is because children with autism may experience heightened sensory information, including thirst and hunger.

Perceiving Excess Thirst and Sensory Processing Issues

Autistic children may have difficulty identifying the feeling of being thirsty and perceive being thirsty more often. It is because their brain interprets thirst in a different way from children without autism. (source)

Because of heightened sensory information, they may feel more thirsty. They also may confuse the senses of hunger and thirst and drink more.

It is important to note that thirst is a natural response to dehydration and is the body’s way of telling us that it needs more fluids. In fact, once you begin to feel thirsty, you are already beginning to dehydrate.

So sipping some water before you feel thirsty isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

But, autistic children may have difficulty recognizing and communicating their thirst, leading them to drink more fluids than what’s considered normal. This can be due to the way that autism affects the brain’s ability to process sensory information, including thirst.

They also might just really enjoy the sensory experience of drinking. Simply drinking can stimulate so many senses simultaneously and as most autistic children are hyper or hyposensistive they may continue to drink to get that sensory experience.

RELATED: Finding the Perfect Underwear for Your Autistic Child

Repetitive Behaviors AKA Stimming

Additionally, some autistic children may have certain behaviors that lead them to drink excessively. For example, repetitive behaviors (stimming) like spinning, flapping, or even drinking can provide a sense of comfort or serve as a form of self-stimulation.

It is common for children with autism to do repetitive behaviors. In fact, it is part of the diagnosis. This type of repeated behavior can calm them down.

It’s important to note that this excessive drinking isn’t always a cause for alarm and may not be a cause for concern It may be a calming sensation that your child enjoys.

It is, however, something that you should bring up with your trusted medical provider to make them aware of.

RELATED: Beds for Autistic Children and Setting Up the Perfect Bedroom

Medicinally Induced Thirst

Lastly, one of the many reasons autistic children drink a lot is due to the medication they are on. Some of these medications can dry the mouth, and as a result, the child needs to replenish fluids in the body.

Therefore, it is essential to consider the medication your child is taking (if any) to determine if it contributes to excessive drinking.

It is worth noting that in the first study I mentioned that noted that autistic children all drank more on average none of them were on any psychotrophic drugs known to cause increased thirst. It was one of the controls of the study. And all the children drank more fluid anyways.

But it is another factor that may be contributing to excessive drinking in your autistic child.

When Your Autistic Child Drinking a Lot Can Be Cause for Concern

Underling Conditions

Though drinking more than average is typical for autistic children due mainly in part to sensory differences, excessive drinking can occasionally be a symptom of an underlying medical condition.

Medical conditions that can cause excessive thirst are diabetes, urinary tract infections, or kidney problems (just to name the main ones). If you suspect any of these, it’s essential to seek medical advice promptly.

Excessive Urination

It is crucial to note that drinking lots of water or fluids is acceptable among autistic children. Under normal circumstances is not harmful to the child’s health, and it helps in hydrating their body, which is essential for general well-being. (We will mention times when the drinking goes beyond those normal circumstances).

If you are struggling with your child wetting the bed at night or having accidents during the day it may be due to the excessive consumption of fluids. Therefore, it is vital to monitor their consumption to ensure it does not affect their daily routine and life.

Cerebral Edema From Drinking Too Much Water

There is proof that in very rare cases, drinking far too much water can cause swelling of the brain and death. There have been two cases reported of autistic infants that this happened to from drinking too much.

This is a rare occurrence but it IS something that is possible. It can happen from becoming dehydrated and then drinking too quickly. So if you child is drinking WAY more than normal, be aware of this.

How to Manage Your Autistic Child Drinking Too Much

If you feel that your child is drinking too much of it is causing concern due to any of the aforementioned reasons there are some things you can do to minimize their excessive drinking.

First, it’s crucial to monitor the child’s fluid intake, ensuring they do not drink so much that it becomes physically harmful.

Second, parents can encourage their autistic child to drink water at regular intervals throughout the day instead of always having a drink on hand.

Finally, caregivers or parents should consult a pediatrician to determine if their child’s fluid intake is appropriate.

The physician can examine their overall health, medication, and recommended daily water intake to conclude if the child’s excessive drinking is cause for concern or simply an autism-associated trait.

Wrapping Up: Help! My Autistic Child is Drinking a Lot.

To wrap up, it is essential to understand that autistic children drink a lot, but it is not often harmful to their health, and the behavior can be managed effectively with the right approach if you find that to be necessary.

It’s important first to get a clear understanding of the reason behind excessive drinking: sensory stimulation, stimming, medication, perceived thirst, or misunderstood hunger.

Most often your child is just enjoying a very sensory stimulating experience and keeping super hydrated by doing it. But if you are concerned or their water intake is interfering with their daily life you can monitor your child’s water intake regularly, identify any unusual thirst, and consult with a physician if there are any concerns.

Since each autistic child is different, it is essential to approach them with sensitivity and understanding. Understanding why autistic children drink a lot can help you approach the situation with patience and compassion, ultimately leading