Beyond Picky Eating: Navigating Food Selectivity in Children with Autism Using ABA
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47611/jsrhs.v13i2.6769Keywords:
Autism, Food Selectivity, Picky Eater, ABA, Applied Behavior Analysis, Oral Sensory Sensitivity, Sensory SensitivitiesAbstract
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), autism prevalence has increased by 178 percent since 2000, and as of 2023, around 1 in 36 children in the U.S. has been diagnosed with autism. Among those children, more than %70 of them have food selectivity Mayes et al. (2019), which essentially means an extremely restrictive diet.
Food selectivity, characterized by limited food choices, can pose a health risk due to potential nutritional deficiencies. When individuals consistently consume a narrow range of foods, they may miss out on essential nutrients, leading to issues like weakened immune systems Sharp et al. (2018). Treating food selectivity is crucial for not only physical health but also mental health Lepinioti et al. (2021), especially in vulnerable populations like children with autism.
In this research paper, I aim to answer some of the critical questions surrounding food selectivity, explore its connections with oral sensory perception, and propose approaches for addressing this complex issue. Through this paper, I hope to contribute to a better understanding of food selectivity and provide insights that can enhance the well-being of affected individuals and their communities.
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Susan Dickerson Mayes, Hana Zickgraf,
Atypical eating behaviors in children and adolescents with autism, ADHD, other disorders, and typical development,
Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders,
Volume 64,
,
Pages 76-83,
ISSN 1750-9467,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rasd.2019.04.002.
(https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1750946719300595)
Abstract: Background: Previous research has not yet examined the prevalence of atypical eating behaviors in children and adolescents with autism compared to those with ADHD, other disorders, and typical development. Method: The sample comprised 2102 children: 1462 with autism, 327 with other disorders (e.g., ADHD, intellectual disability, language disorder, and learning disability), and 313 typical children, 1–18 years of age (mean 7.3). Atypical eating behaviors were assessed with the Checklist for Autism Spectrum Disorder based on a standardized parent interview conducted by licensed psychologists. Results: Atypical eating behaviors were significantly more common in autism (70.4%) than in children with other disorders (13.1%) and typical children (4.8%). For children with autism who had atypical eating behaviors, the most common behavior was limited food preferences (88%), followed by hypersensitivity to food textures (46%), other peculiar patterns most often eating only one brand of food (27%), pocketing food without swallowing (19%), and pica (12%). Grain products and/or chicken (usually nuggets) were the preferred foods for 92% of children with autism who had limited food preferences. For children with autism who had atypical eating behaviors, 25% had three or more atypical eating behaviors (vs. 0% for children with other disorders or typical development). Only children with autism had pica or pocketed food. Conclusions: The number and types of atypical eating behaviors found only in children with autism and not in children with other disorders or typical development should alert clinicians to the possibility of autism and the need to evaluate for autism in order to facilitate early identification and access to evidence-based treatment.
Keywords: Atypical eating behaviors; Picky eating; Limited food preferences; Autism; ADHD; Typical development
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