Purpose: Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and food selectivity are at increased risk for nutritional deficiencies which could affect bone health. Methods: We report on four male patients with ASD and avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) with significant bone conditions including rickets, vertebral compression fractures,…

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are five times more likely to have feeding difficulties than neurotypical peers, although the majority of evidence describes feeding difficulty in children age 2 years and older. The purpose of this study is to systematically review the literature on feeding characteristics of children age 0-24 months…

Compared to solids, less paediatric feeding research has targeted liquids, medication, and teaching independence skills (e.g., fork, chopsticks). No research to our knowledge has reported transitioning from spout squeeze 'baby food' pouches, increasing finger-feeding, and teaching steps in scooping, sipping, and biting off portions. We detail a…

Purpose: Feeding problems, ranging from mild to severe, are common in children with autism spectrum disorder. We conducted a 15-item online survey of community providers to gather information on service demand and current treatment approaches for this clinical population. Methods: Respondents, speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists,…

Children with autism or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are more likely than neurotypical children to experience eating difficulties, such as picky/selective eating, slow eating, and over/under-eating. Recent studies show that eating difficulties can persist into adulthood for autistic individuals. Yet little is known about the…

Objective: This study aims to comparatively examine dysphagia symptoms in children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and children with typical development (TD), along with the impact on their families. Methods: A total of 70 children aged 3-7 years and their parents took part in the study (35 children diagnosed with ASD and their…

Sensory processing difficulties are worth exploring in youths with ASD and feeding problems considering their high frequency and therapeutic potential. To synthesize prior knowledge and discrepancies between studies, a systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted. The quality of the 16 reviewed studies was regarded as moderate. The…

Caregiver-led interventions have been implemented to improve food selectivity in autistic children. This systematic review assesses the meaningfulness of improvements in food, behaviour, and family outcomes, alongside the acceptability of said interventions. Four key academic databases were searched using key terms related to autism, food…

Feeding disorders can be quite complex, with medical concerns, anatomical abnormalities, skill deficits, and behavioral or environmental components contributing to the development and maintenance of significant feeding concerns. Because of this, an interdisciplinary approach to assessment and treatment is oftentimes warranted. Within the current…

Aim of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between sensory sensitivity and autistic eating behaviours or Eating Disorders (EDs) symptomatology, in a group of 75 adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) without intellectual disabilities, through a series of self-report questionnaires. We found that, controlling for demographic…

Shared family meals are associated with family functioning and thought to protect against disordered eating in families with neurotypical children. Limited research, however, has examined the mealtime structure or experience in families with children with autism (Autism spectrum condition) and/or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, despite…

Many children with autism spectrum disorder experience feeding difficulties that can lead to increased health risks (e.g., severe nutrition deficiencies, obesity-related illnesses) if left untreated. Intensive feeding programs that use behavior-analytic interventions have reported positive outcomes for treating challenging behavior associated with…

Past research suggests that children, particularly those with autism spectrum disorder, with general behavioral inflexibility to objects, persons, and environments may be at risk for feeding problems. However, questions remain about whether feeding problems are better predicted by behavioral inflexibility or sensory sensitivity, and whether…

This dissertation was designed to determine which behavior analytic intervention was more effective in the treatment and reduction of mouthing non-nutritive substances in children diagnosed with autism. This study included four participants in an A-B-A reversal design with a component analysis across four intervention phases. The study…

Objective: It is known that there is a high comorbidity between eating disorders and autistic traits among both the clinical and non-clinical populations. In this study, it is aimed to investigate the relationship between ASD and AN, and the effects of obsessive-compulsive traits. Participants: The study has been conducted in a non-clinical…