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Published on: August 21, 2015
Screening for Caregiver-Reported Feeding Concerns in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in a Tertiary-Care Clinic
Emily S Kuschner1,2, Shalini Sivathasan3, Emma McQueen4,5
1Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA.
Insights
Feeding difficulties, especially food selectivity, affect many children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Early screening is crucial for prioritizing services for autistic youth with these common feeding challenges.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Medicine
- Developmental Psychology
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Background:
- Feeding concerns, particularly food selectivity, are prevalent in children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
- Existing data indicate that over half of autistic youth experience feeding difficulties, impacting their overall well-being and development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence and characteristics of feeding difficulties in a large cohort of children evaluated for autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
- To identify factors associated with increased likelihood of reported feeding difficulties among autistic children.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective chart review was conducted on 746 children referred for ASD evaluation.
- Families completed a pre-diagnostic survey detailing feeding concerns, including food selectivity and weight issues.
Main Results:
- Approximately 30% of caregivers reported significant feeding difficulties in their children.
- Younger age, pronounced food selectivity, and weight concerns were linked to a higher probability of reported feeding issues.
- Food selectivity was observed even in children whose caregivers did not report overall feeding difficulties, indicating a nuanced presentation.
Conclusions:
- The findings underscore the high prevalence of feeding difficulties in children with ASD.
- A need for comprehensive, multi-faceted screening approaches is highlighted to aid pediatric providers in prioritizing essential services for affected children.
Objective:
Feeding concerns, primarily food selectivity, are commonly observed in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Prevalence rates suggest that at least half of autistic youth have feeding difficulties.
Methods:
A retrospective chart review examining records of a large cohort of autistic children (N = 746) referred for ASD evaluation was conducted. Families completed a survey regarding feeding concerns in their children before a diagnostic evaluation.
Results:
Post hoc analyses based on retrospective chart review revealed approximately 30% of caregivers reported significant difficulty feeding their child. Young age, food selectivity, and concerns about weight were associated with increased likelihood of reported feeding difficulties. There was clear overlap between overall feeding difficulties and specific food selectivity; however, 1 in 5 children whose caregivers did not report feeding difficulties endorsed food selectivity.
Conclusion:
Findings highlight the need for multipronged approaches to screening to facilitate service prioritization by pediatric providers.
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