Feeding Management in Autistic Children During Early Childhood: A Scoping Review

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Nutrition
• Developmental Psychology
• Autism Spectrum Disorder Research

Background:

• Autistic children frequently exhibit feeding difficulties, impacting sensory processing and food selectivity.
• These challenges create significant difficulties for caregivers and professionals in various settings.
• Early intervention is crucial for addressing these eating behaviors in young autistic children.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a scoping review of interventions for feeding difficulties in autistic children under 6 years old.
• To identify and categorize strategies aimed at enhancing food acceptance and decreasing challenging eating behaviors.
• To inform future research and clinical practice regarding pediatric feeding interventions.

Main Methods:

• Systematic search of PubMed, Web of Science (WOS), and PsycINFO databases.
• Manual examination of reference lists for relevant studies.
• Inclusion of 19 studies selected by two independent reviewers following PRISMA-ScR guidelines.

Main Results:

• Feeding strategies were categorized into three groups: applied behavior analysis (ABA)-based, combined ABA and other strategies, and emerging non-ABA strategies.
• Reported interventions demonstrated effectiveness in increasing food acceptance among autistic children.
• Challenging mealtime behaviors were significantly reduced through the implemented feeding strategies.

Conclusions:

• Various ABA-based and emerging interventions show promise for addressing feeding difficulties in young autistic children.
• Further research is needed to develop comprehensive interventions that enhance the quality of life for autistic children and their families.
• Effective feeding strategies can positively impact the well-being of autistic children, their families, and communities.