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Published on: July 31, 2017
Mealtime problems in children with autism spectrum disorder and their typically developing siblings: a comparison
Geneviève Nadon1, Debbie Ehrmann Feldman, Winnie Dunn
1Faculty of Medicine, University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada. gen_nadon@hotmail.com
Summary
Children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) experience significantly more mealtime challenges, particularly limited food variety, compared to their typically developing siblings. Mealtime problems in ASD appear to decrease with age.
Area of Science:
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Behavioral Pediatrics
Background:
- Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are frequently associated with feeding difficulties.
- The influence of diagnosis and social environment on eating behaviors in children warrants further investigation.
- Understanding mealtime challenges in ASD is crucial for early intervention and support.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the prevalence and nature of mealtime problems in children with ASD versus their typically developing siblings.
- To investigate the association of age and sex with mealtime problems in children with ASD.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 48 families with a child diagnosed with ASD (ages 3-12).
- The Eating Profile questionnaire was administered to parents for the child with ASD and their nearest-age sibling without ASD.
- Data were analyzed to compare eating problems between groups and explore age and sex correlations.
Main Results:
- Children with ASD exhibited a mean of 13.3 eating problems, significantly higher than siblings (mean 5.0).
- Lack of food variety was the predominant eating problem in children with ASD.
- Children with ASD reported more eating problems in infancy, with a trend towards fewer problems in older children.
Conclusions:
- Children with ASD experience substantially more mealtime problems than their neurotypical siblings within the same household.
- Screening for and addressing mealtime difficulties in children with ASD is highly recommended.
- Age is a factor, with younger children with ASD showing more challenges than older ones.
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01:19Autism Spectrum Disorder
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition marked by persistent deficits in social communication and interaction alongside restrictive and repetitive behaviors or interests. ASD is sometimes accompanied by intellectual impairment.
These core symptoms manifest differently among individuals, ranging from mild to severe. The disorder's complexity extends beyond its clinical presentation, encompassing a diverse range of biological, cognitive, and sociocultural influences.
These core symptoms manifest differently among individuals, ranging from mild to severe. The disorder's complexity extends beyond its clinical presentation, encompassing a diverse range of biological, cognitive, and sociocultural influences.
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