Prevalence of Feeding Problems in Young Children With and Without Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Chart Review Study

Abstract

Feeding problems are known to be an important clinical issue for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), but the majority of studies on this topic have been carried out on children preschool age and older. It is important to understand whether these difficulties begin prior to age 3 years, as well as what parameters are important to study for both assessment and intervention. The present study used an early intervention chart abstraction method to examine prevalence of feeding problems in children below 3 years of age with ASD compared with those evaluated for non-ASD language delays (LD). Prevalence of feeding problems detected by speech therapists and psychologists was higher for the ASD group than for the comparison group, with the ASD group showing more food selectivity by texture (23.1% vs. 7.1%), more food selectivity by type (24.4% vs. 11.8%), more new food refusal (10.3% vs. 0%), and more food overstuffing (14.1% vs. 3.5%). We also examined the relationship between the total number of four feeding problems and child characteristics/demographics (ASD or LD diagnosis, gender, age of first evaluation, neighborhood income). Significantly more feeding problems were seen for children with ASD. As well, feeding problems were more prevalent for males. Associations between feeding problems and the other variables, as well as interactions, were not significant.

‘A blender without the lid on’: Mealtime experiences of caregivers with a child with autism spectrum disorder in South Africa

“…These findings support the notion that many caregivers are struggling with their child’s restricted food selections and are unsure how to provide a more nutritionally balanced diet (Nadon et al, 2011 ; Seiverling et al, 2018 ). Caregivers find their child’s picky eating to be frustrating, and many find it easier to give the child food that they will eat, even though these may not be what the rest of the family is eating.…”

“…Data were collected from the caregivers who met the following inclusion criteria: (1) having a child with a primary diagnosis of ASD, (2) having a child between 3 and 10 years of age and (3) reported some form of feeding difficulty from the caregiver. This age range was chosen because by the time the child is 3 years of age, they should be accepting a wide variety of food types and textures, and using a caregiver-reported questionnaire is still appropriate for children up to the age of 10 years (Seiverling, Towle, Hendy, & Pantelides, 2018 ).…”

Interventions for Increasing Acceptance of New Foods Among Children and Adults with Developmental Disorders: A Systematic Review

“…Participant 3 accepted a small number of bites at phase 1 and consistently accepted and swallowed non-preferred foods at phase 2 a 12-weeksPizzo et al (2012), USACase study, baseline and interventionN: 1Age: 16Gender: MDiagnoses: ASDClinicalSequential presentation (plate A–plate B)Up to 55 meals✓✓Participant met mastery criterion for 14 new foods; six starches, two dairy, two fruit, one vegetable, and three proteins. Percentage of successful bites increased from 0% (baseline) to an average of 74% during intervention a NSeiverling et al (2018), USACase series, alternating treatments design.N: 2Ages: 5 and 6Gender: both MDiagnoses: both ASDClinicalBehavioural feeding interventions with and without Sensory Integration Therapy conditionNRS was used if non-compliant24-30 daily sessions✓Percentage of bites was less than 40% (baseline) and increased to above 90% during sensory integration therapy and control conditions. Both participants increased total amount consumed across both treatment conditions a 2-months (only for one participant)Seiverling et al (2012a), USACase study, baseline and interventionN: 1Age: 3Gender: MDiagnoses: ASDClinicalNCR (plate A–plate B) and DRA, EE and demand fading (size of bites)Five days from approximately 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM as part of an intensive day treatment program.…”

“…Food selectiveness, or picky/fussy eating, can be defined as a lack of variety in the diet (Carruth et al 1998) or as consumption of a limited number of foods (Rydell et al 1995). In developmentally disordered (DD) populations, such as those with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) or intellectual disability (ID), rates of food selectiveness (Williams and Seiverling 2010), eating related problem behaviours (Ledford and Gast 2006) and rejection of both novel and already accepted foods (Seiverling et al 2018) are common. Consequently, food selectivity and refusal often results in people missing, or having very low levels, of important nutrients in the diet (Esteban-Figuerola et al 2018; Sharp et al 2013).…”

An Exploration into Mothers’ Experiences of Feeding Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in South Africa

“…Between 46 and 89% of children with ASD will present with feeding and mealtime challenges [2]. Children with ASD are likely to display specific types of feeding difficulties when compared to typically developing children [16,17]. A study by Nadon et al [16] was conducted in order to detect and compare the feeding difficulties prevalent in children with ASD in comparison to their typically developing siblings between the ages of 3 and 12 years.…”