Feeding difficulties in children with autism spectrum disorder: Aetiology, health impacts and psychotherapeutic interventions

Abstract

Feeding difficulties are common and significant issues for children with autism spectrum disorder and their families. Key features of autism are intrinsically linked with factors contributing to these children's feeding difficulties. Following a multidisciplinary assessment to exclude non-behavioural reasons for the feeding difficulty, there are two mainstay modalities of treatment: operant conditioning and systematic desensitisation. Currently, evidence points towards operant conditioning as the most efficacious psychotherapy. However, recent research into cognitive behavioural therapy for older children with feeding difficulties has shown promising results and will be an area to monitor in the coming years. This review outlines the causes and health impacts and evaluates current evidence supporting the available psychotherapeutic interventions for children with autism spectrum disorder experiencing feeding difficulties. References 1 Baio J, Wiggins L, Christensen DL et al. Prevalence of autism spectrum disorder among children aged 8 years-Autism and developmental disabilities monitoring network, 11 sites, United States, 2014.

Low threshold to Vestibular and Oral Sensory stimuli might affect quality of sleep among children with autism spectrum disorder

“…Sleep restriction might affect somatosensory perception in the orofacial area [28], and sleep bruxism is correlated to daytime fatigue and sleepiness [29]. There are few studies about approaches for Oral hypersensitivity that can be used to improve sleep, and interventions for Oral hypersensitivity before bedtime, including desensitization [30], might be effective in improving sleep quality among children with feeding difficulties. Sleep disorders, which affect daytime behaviors and cognitive functions, are highly prevalent among children with ASD.…”

Recognizing vitamin A deficiency: special considerations in low-prevalence areas

“…Although VAS may be challenging for some children with autism spectrum disorder, fortification and dietary modification have been proposed as alternative strategies to improve their vitamin A intake with variable success depending on the individual [5]. Psychotherapies in the form of operant conditioning, systematic desensitization, and cognitive behavioral therapy may also help to redirect these individuals to accept a wider variety of foods [4].…”

“…Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) is the leading cause of childhood blindness worldwide, despite being considered eradicated in developed countries [1]. There are certain populations, such as children with autism spectrum disorder, who are at risk for VAD [2][3][4][5][6]. In areas with low prevalence of VAD, a delay in evaluation, diagnosis and management often occurs, leading to major systemic and ocular morbidity and even mortality in some children [5,7].…”

From Close Connections to Feeling Misunderstood: How Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder Perceive Support from Family Members and Friends

“…Indeed, parents of children with disabilities often assume demanding responsibilities that greatly surpass the implications of raising a typical child (Home & Pearce, 2003). In addition to completing usual parenting functions, such as ensuring that their child develops and becomes autonomous, parents of children with ASD must also take into account the particularities of ASD, as well as frequently associated problems such as feeding issues (Zhu & Dalby-Payne, 2019), gastrointestinal problems (Chaidez et al, 2014), sleep disturbances (Glickman, 2010) and other psychiatric disorders, such as depression, anxiety and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (Matson & Cervantes, 2014). Parents, particularly mothers, must also contend with a multitude of additional stressors such as job loss (Cidav et al, 2012), fewer employment opportunities (Maich et al, 2019), financial strain (Nealy et al, 2012) and stigma (Bessette Gorlin et al, 2016).…”