Feeding and Autism

Guest Author: Ashley Burgoyne, M.S., CCC-SLP, BCBA, Speech-Language Pathologist, Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Covenant Center for Autism

"Feeding disorder" is a broad term that is often used to describe abnormalities in a child's diet that results in inadequate nutritional intake. The child's poor diet result in a failure to maintain or sustain a typical growth rate (Crosby, 2007; Piazza, 2008).

Approximately 67% of children with autism can be described as "poor" or "picky" eaters (Williams et al., 2007). These children may have strong food preferences, may refuse to try new foods, and/or may have a very limited diet. Children with autism may also insist on their food being prepared the same way, a specific brand, or mealtime rules. Attempts to expand the child's diet may be met with behaviors like whining, crying, and pushing foods away. These behaviors may make meal times a struggle for both the child who refused to try a new food and for the parent who is worried about their child's health.

There are multiple causes to why a child may refuse to eat new foods. The first reason a child may have feeding issues is that they have a medical condition such as food allergies or gastro-esophageal reflux (also known as GERD or acid reflux). We often recommend that your physician, prior to beginning any treatment, rule out medical causes as they may cause pain or discomfort for the child while he or she is eating. Second, the child may have weak and uncoordinated muscles within the mouth, making eating and chewing difficult. A child's muscles may be weak if they have not learned how to chew different textures at an early age. The last possible cause is behavioral issues. Ultimately, they just don't want to eat what you are giving them.

It can be very challenging to pinpoint feeding challenges to one cause and may in fact be caused by a combination of all three: medical issues, motor deficits, and behavioral challenges. So where do you even begin? As previously mentioned, it is very important to talk to your physician about any feeding challenges your child has and rule out any medical conditions. Your physician may then recommend a behavioral therapist, speech therapist, and/or an occupational therapist do a feeding evaluation. Treatment may be recommended to improve the feeding problem.

At Gabe's Place, feeding treatment is conducted by a classroom behavior therapist using methods of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and is overseen by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and/or a Speech-Language Pathologist. You child may be a good candidate for feeding therapy if any of the following apply:

• Food or drink refusal
• Difficulties swallowing
• Gagging or choking during meals
• Vomiting while eating
• Behaviors occur when trying new foods
• Pocketing food in their cheeks
• Insistence on preparing meals the same way

If you are interested in beginning treatment to target feeding issues, please contact the Covenant Center for Autism today at 989.671.5738.

Posted Date: 12/1/2015