Sensory Snack Time: A School-Based Intervention Addressing Food Selectivity in Autistic Children

Abstract

Difficulties with diet and mealtimes, often exacerbated by food selectivity have been highlighted as priority areas of support by parents of autistic children. There is a large body of evidence noting the significant relationship between sensory differences and greater food selectivity in individuals on the autism spectrum. In order to address the needs expressed by parents the present study examined the effect of a whole class, sensory based feeding intervention carried out in a special school setting that was integrated into part of the daily school routine. The intervention sought to become self-sustaining with minimal financial and time costs. In total 23 autistic pupils aged 4-10 took part in the Sensory Snack Time intervention. Results indicated that pupils ate a wider variety of foods and displayed significantly reduced food selectivity, distressed mealtime behaviors, and food refusal following the 12-week intervention. Furthermore, the intervention was successfully integrated into everyday practice and was successfully implemented by existing school staff. Further research is necessary to qualify the precise impact the intervention had on supporting pupils to manage sensory based aversions to foods and to examine the potential for the intervention to be generalized to main meals and different settings, such as pupils' homes.

Sensory processing and eating behaviours in autism: A systematic review

“…These findings have clear implications regarding the design and implementation of mealtime interventions in autism, as they would suggest that detailed sensory evaluation and tailored sensory-based interventions may be an effective way of managing atypical eating behaviours in autistic individuals. Such sensory-based approaches to eating patterns and behaviours are starting to be incorporated into behavioural interventions, reporting promising results (Galpin et al, 2018;Luisier et al, 2015Luisier et al, , 2019Seiverling et al, 2018).…”

Food Selectivity in Children with Autism: Guidelines for Assessment and Clinical Interventions

“…Subsequently, the staff implemented ABA with the children for whom M-SOS was not effective and observed a potential treatment generalization effect during ABA when M-SOS preceded ABA. In addition, a study [ 88 ] examined the impact of a sensory intervention to address food selectivity in pupils with autism. The intervention was delivered in a school by teaching staff for a group of 19 children with ASD and difficulties in communication (aged between 4 and 10 years).…”

Pilot Study of a Virtual Nutrition Intervention for Adolescents and Young Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder

“…Existing nutrition interventions for youth with ASD mostly aim to improve feeding difficulties, such as food selectivity, rather than promote healthy eating habits. 14 – 19 In addition, many of these studies have been conducted in children aged ≤8 years. 15 – 19 A few existing nutrition interventions that address healthy eating behaviors targeted only a small number of adolescents with ASD and included adolescents with other developmental disabilities in their samples as well, and therefore may not address ASD-specific issues, such as cognitive/behavioral rigidity and sensory differences.…”