Feeding difficulties, eating disorders and therapeutic approaches in autism spectrum disorder: An overview

Feeding problems are highly prevalent in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) from early developmental stages. Difficulties during the transition to solid foods, limited dietary variety, and reluctance to try new foods since infancy, combined with gastrointestinal disorders, represent significant concerns for both parents and clinicians from diagnostic and, more importantly, therapeutic perspectives. The primary clinical link between atypical eating behaviors and core autistic symptoms lies in aberrant sensory processing and an insistence on sameness, which have important implications for intervention strategies. Additionally, the increased risk of gastrointestinal disorders and altered gut microbiome composition in individuals with ASD constitute another critical factor, opening avenues for novel therapeutic approaches. Therefore, the aim of this review is to summarize the existing literature on therapeutic approaches for feeding problems in ASD, with a focus on evidence-based practices across pharmacological, psychological, and nutritional domains.