Feeding Therapy

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This review looked at how picky eating affects the health of people with autism. It found that autistic individuals who are very selective about food are more likely to be overweight or obese, have nutritional deficiencies, and experience stomach problems. The picky eating patterns common in autism can lead to not getting enough vitamins and minerals, which affects overall health. However, studies used different ways to measure picky eating, making it hard to compare results.

Summary by AutismInsights from published abstract.

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Researchers studied 69 Turkish families with autistic children aged 2-9 to understand how parenting stress and styles affect eating behaviours. They found that stress levels and autism severity didn't predict picky eating or how well children knew when they were full. However, strict parenting was linked to children enjoying food less, while overprotective parenting was associated with children enjoying food more. Cultural differences may play a role in these patterns.

Summary by AutismInsights from published abstract.

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This study interviewed 24 mothers about feeding problems they had with their babies who were later diagnosed with autism. Mothers faced three main challenges: actual feeding difficulties, emotional stress from these problems, and pressure to feed their baby properly. The researchers found that mothers need much more support during this time, including help from doctors, mental health professionals, and feeding specialists. Early support could reduce the stress and burden on families dealing with feeding challenges.

Summary by AutismInsights from published abstract.

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This study looked at feeding problems in young children (0-5 years) with and without autism. Children with both autism and feeding difficulties were more likely to be boys, born by cesarean section, and have parents with less education. Their feeding problems appeared later and were more often related to nutrition rather than social/behavioral issues around eating. Importantly, feeding problems sometimes appeared before autism was diagnosed, suggesting feeding difficulties might be an early sign of autism.

Summary by AutismInsights from published abstract.

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This review looks at two brain chemicals (oxytocin and vasopressin) that might help explain why autism and anorexia, despite affecting different genders more often, sometimes occur together. Autism is more common in boys, anorexia in girls, but both involve social difficulties and eating issues. These brain chemicals affect social behavior and eating, and might work differently in males and females.

Summary by AutismInsights from published abstract.

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This study looked at eating problems in 115 autistic children and found that 60% had eating difficulties. Of those with eating problems, almost 90% showed signs of acid reflux (GERD). When doctors examined some children more closely with a camera test, they found inflammation in the throat and stomach in 3 out of 8 children tested. This suggests that some eating problems in autistic children might be caused by medical issues like acid reflux that cause pain or discomfort when eating.

Summary by AutismInsights from published abstract.

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This study looked at 110 autistic children aged 3-6 years to see if those with picky eating had different behaviors than those without. Children with picky eating showed more aggressive behaviors and more withdrawn behaviors. This suggests that when helping children with eating difficulties, it's important to also consider their emotional and behavioral needs. Early identification by doctors can help families get support from feeding specialists.

Summary by AutismInsights from published abstract.

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Children with autism often have very restricted diets due to food sensitivities, preferences, or digestive issues. This puts them at much higher risk of vitamin and nutrient deficiencies - about 5 times more likely than other children. These deficiencies can affect brain development, behavior, sleep, and physical skills. The warning signs can be hard to spot, but if caught and treated early, the problems are usually reversible. If left untreated, some effects could be permanent.

Summary by AutismInsights from published abstract.

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Researchers interviewed 24 mothers about feeding their babies who were later diagnosed with autism. They found that feeding difficulties during the first year of life might be early signs of autism. These included problems with bottle feeding, drinking from cups, and starting solid foods. The feeding challenges seemed related to repetitive behaviors, communication differences, and sensory sensitivities that are common in autism.

Summary by AutismInsights from published abstract.

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This study looked at how feeding difficulties affect mealtimes for 80 autistic children aged 5-12. Researchers surveyed parents and found that feeding challenges impact family life both at home and in the community. Parents reported feeling stressed, judged by others, and like they were failing. These feelings often came from interactions with family, friends, schools, and the wider community who didn't understand their child's needs.

Summary by AutismInsights from published abstract.

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This review looked at eating problems in autistic children and teens. It found that sensory issues, rigid thinking patterns, and gut-brain communication problems all contribute to feeding difficulties. Autistic children often have very limited food preferences and may develop serious eating disorders. Some become underweight while others become overweight. The research shows that treatment needs to address nutrition, behavior, and emotions together for each individual child.

Summary by AutismInsights from published abstract.

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This study looked at mealtime challenges in families with children who have autism, ADHD, or both. Researchers surveyed 351 families and found that mealtimes are much more stressful for families with these conditions. Children were more fussy with food, ate less when upset, and showed more difficult behaviors at meals. Parents experienced higher stress levels. Children with both autism and ADHD had the most challenges. The findings suggest these families need extra support around mealtimes.

Summary by AutismInsights from published abstract.

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This study looked at eating problems in young children with autism and other developmental delays. More than half of the children had feeding difficulties, even though most were growing normally. Children who showed more repetitive behaviors and weren't in school yet had more eating problems. This suggests parents and doctors should watch for feeding issues even when children are growing well, especially if the child has strong repetitive behaviors.

Summary by AutismInsights from published abstract.

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This large study looked at nutrition in children with autism compared to other children. It found that children with autism tend to be shorter but have similar weight. They eat less protein and many important vitamins, including vitamins A, D, K, and several B vitamins. Blood tests also showed lower levels of vitamin D and folate. The researchers think the nutrition differences might explain why children with autism tend to be shorter.

Summary by AutismInsights from published abstract.

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This study looked at how autism traits relate to eating difficulties in 184 children with autism. Researchers found that repetitive behaviors strongly predicted both picky eating and overeating patterns. Problems with executive function (like planning and self-control) appeared to be a key link between autism traits and eating difficulties. The findings suggest that helping children improve their executive function skills might be a promising way to address eating challenges in autism.

Summary by AutismInsights from published abstract.

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This study looked at how similar children's diets are to their parents' diets. Children with intellectual disability and autism ate much less similarly to their parents (19-22% less) compared to typically developing children. Children with just intellectual disability were mostly similar to their parents, except with fathers. The main reason for these differences was food selectivity - children with autism and intellectual disability refused more foods, which explained why their diets were less like their parents'.

Summary by AutismInsights from published abstract.

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This research looked at how often autism and a serious eating problem called ARFID occur together. They found that about 1 in 6 people with ARFID also have autism, and about 1 in 9 autistic people have ARFID. This is much higher than expected, suggesting these conditions often go together. The research suggests that when a child has one condition, doctors should check for the other.

Summary by AutismInsights from published abstract.

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This study looked at 503 preschoolers in China to understand how autism-like traits relate to picky eating and food avoidance. Parents filled out questionnaires about their children's social behaviors, sensory sensitivities, and eating habits. The research found that sensory processing differences help explain why some children with autism traits have more feeding difficulties. Children who are over-sensitive to sensory input or who avoid certain sensations tend to have more eating problems, while those with under-responsive sensory systems may actually eat better.

Summary by AutismInsights from published abstract.

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This study looked at 98 autistic children with feeding problems in Asia. Even though most children were normal weight and height, 7 out of 10 had diets lacking important nutrients like iron and calcium. Over half had severe food selectivity. Parents who were very strict about feeding had children with more feeding problems, while less involved parents had fewer issues. Children with intellectual disability and certain ethnic backgrounds had more severe food selectivity.

Summary by AutismInsights from published abstract.

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This study looked at eating habits and stomach problems in 121 children with autism compared to children without autism. Children with autism ate fewer fruits and vegetables, had less variety in their diet, and experienced more constipation and stomach issues. The researchers found that certain autism behaviors affected what children ate, but stomach problems were mainly caused by poor diet quality rather than autism behaviors directly. This suggests that improving diet quality could help reduce stomach problems in children with autism.

Summary by AutismInsights from published abstract.

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This study of 509 Chinese preschoolers found that children with more autism-like traits tend to have more eating difficulties. The link between autism traits and eating problems was explained partly by how children process sensory information (like taste, texture, smell). However, a supportive home environment can help reduce eating problems in children with autism traits and sensory sensitivities.

Summary by AutismInsights from published abstract.

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This study looked at how eating problems in autistic children affect their families. Researchers surveyed 78 parents of autistic children aged 5-12. They found that about 7 out of 10 autistic children had significant feeding difficulties. Parents of children with more eating problems reported higher stress and more impact on their daily lives. The study showed that feeding difficulties affected families more than other autism traits or sensory issues.

Summary by AutismInsights from published abstract.

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Researchers found that changes in a specific gene called LRRC7 cause intellectual disability, autism, ADHD, aggression, and eating problems in children. They studied 33 people with these gene changes and found they all had similar symptoms. The gene makes a protein that helps brain cells communicate properly. When the gene doesn't work correctly, it affects learning, behavior, and sometimes leads to overeating and weight gain.

Summary by AutismInsights from published abstract.

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This study looked at feeding problems in 427 autistic children. Most feeding challenges started before the autism diagnosis. Children who had feeding problems early on often had more serious feeding issues as they got older. The type of early feeding problem could predict what kind of challenges they'd have later. For example, kids who struggled moving from baby food to regular food were more likely to have sensory feeding issues. The study shows feeding problems are complex and different for each child.

Summary by AutismInsights from published abstract.

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This large research review looked at health conditions that commonly occur alongside autism in nearly 600,000 people. The most common conditions were movement coordination problems, sleep issues, stomach problems, ADHD, anxiety, being overweight, eating difficulties, toileting problems, challenging behaviors, and physical complaints. These conditions were more or less common depending on whether the person was a child or adult, helping families and doctors know what to watch for.

Summary by AutismInsights from published abstract.

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This study found that children with autism have more feeding problems than other children, including refusing food and eating only a limited variety of foods. When autistic children also have emotional or behavioral difficulties, their parents experience more stress and frustration during mealtimes. The researchers recommend that doctors regularly check for eating problems in autistic children to prevent nutrition issues.

Summary by AutismInsights from published abstract.

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This review explains why many autistic children have eating difficulties like refusing foods or eating only a few types of food. These problems happen more often in autistic children than other children. The eating issues can be caused by sensory sensitivities or behavioral factors. The review provides guidance for professionals on how to assess these problems and suggests proven strategies that both therapists and parents can use to help expand what autistic children will eat.

Summary by AutismInsights from published abstract.

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This study looked at picky eating in autistic children, focusing on those who are sensitive to textures and tastes in their mouth. Children who were more sensitive had harder times trying new foods, and their parents felt more stressed during meals. The research suggests that understanding your child's specific sensory needs can help create better mealtime strategies that work for your family.

Summary by AutismInsights from published abstract.

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This study found that children with autism had different feeding patterns as babies compared to other children. They were breastfed for shorter periods, started solid foods later, and had more difficulty accepting new foods. Among children with autism, those who were breastfed longer (12+ months) showed fewer autism symptoms, while those who started solid foods very late had more developmental challenges.

Summary by AutismInsights from published abstract.

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This review looked at mouth and tongue movement skills in autistic people by examining 107 research studies. These skills are important for speaking and eating - two areas where many autistic people have difficulties. Most studies (81%) found that autistic people have some problems with mouth movements compared to non-autistic people. However, the studies used very different methods, making it hard to understand exactly what these problems are or how common they are.

Summary by AutismInsights from published abstract.

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This review looks at the connection between autism and a feeding disorder called ARFID (avoidant-restrictive food intake disorder). Many autistic children have feeding difficulties - about 1 in 5 show signs of restrictive eating. These feeding challenges, including being sensitive to food textures and having strong food preferences, often continue into teenage years and adulthood. While various strategies exist to help autistic children with eating, there's not enough research on helping autistic teenagers and adults with these same issues.

Summary by AutismInsights from published abstract.

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Jordan's syndrome is a rare genetic condition that affects brain development. Children with this condition may have developmental delays, seizures, larger head size, eye problems, low muscle tone, attention difficulties, and challenges with social interaction and sensory processing that are often linked to autism. They may also have sleep and feeding problems. Symptoms vary greatly between children - some are more severely affected than others.

Summary by AutismInsights from published abstract.

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This Japanese study followed 759 children over several years and found that children with autism traits ate less of certain important nutrients like calcium, iron, and vitamins compared to other children. These differences got worse as the children got older. The researchers recommend regular check-ups of what autistic children are eating to make sure they're getting enough nutrition as they grow.

Summary by AutismInsights from published abstract.

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This study looked at over 4,000 children to see how ADHD and autism traits affect eating habits and weight. Children with autism traits tended to be picky eaters and avoid food, while children with ADHD traits ate more in response to emotions and had higher weight. Children with both traits showed mixed eating patterns. The research suggests different approaches may be needed to support healthy eating for children with different traits.

Summary by AutismInsights from published abstract.

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This study looked at eating difficulties in autistic teenagers and adults using twins as participants. It found that autistic people often have eating problems like being picky with food and being sensitive to sounds, textures, or other sensory aspects during meals. Autistic females seemed to have more eating difficulties overall and particularly struggled eating around other people. The research suggests that genes might influence both autism and eating problems together.

Summary by AutismInsights from published abstract.

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This article discusses new research suggesting that differences in gut bacteria between autistic and non-autistic people might be caused by different eating habits, rather than autism directly affecting gut health. The study suggests that autistic people's food preferences and eating patterns may be the real reason for gut bacteria differences, not autism itself.

Summary by AutismInsights from published abstract.

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A 3-year-old boy with autism had very selective eating habits that got much worse during COVID-19 when his routine changed. He became severely malnourished and developed dangerously low potassium levels, which caused serious muscle damage. He only showed mild walking problems, making it hard to spot how serious his condition was. Treatment included IV fluids, nutrients through a feeding tube, and reconnecting with autism support services.

Summary by AutismInsights from published abstract.

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This study looked at eating problems in 180 young children with autism (ages 2-5). Researchers found three main patterns of autism, with different levels of eating difficulties. Children with more severe autism symptoms had more serious eating problems. These eating issues can lead to other health problems, so the researchers suggest having different types of doctors work together to help these children.

Summary by AutismInsights from published abstract.

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This large study of over 4,000 children found that children with more autistic traits tend to have poorer diet quality as they grow up. The researchers tracked children from 1.5 to 8 years old and discovered that picky eating (food selectivity) at age 4 helps explain why children with more autistic traits have less nutritious diets later on. Even children without an autism diagnosis but with some autistic traits showed this pattern. The study suggests that addressing picky eating early might help improve nutrition for children with autistic traits.

Summary by AutismInsights from published abstract.

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This review looked at how sensory issues affect eating in autistic people of all ages. After studying 25 research papers, they found clear links between sensory processing problems and eating difficulties. Taste and smell sensitivities seemed particularly important. The connection between sensory issues and eating problems appears to continue throughout life, from childhood to adulthood.

Summary by AutismInsights from published abstract.

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This study looked at how autistic traits affect eating habits in Japanese people. Researchers found that people with more autistic traits were pickier eaters, especially sensitive to food textures and mixed flavours. They also preferred sour tastes and were more sensitive to aftertastes. This helps explain why some people with autism have very specific food preferences and eating patterns.

Summary by AutismInsights from published abstract.

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This study looked at eating difficulties in young autistic children (1.5-5 years old). Children with eating problems also had more anxiety and emotional issues, plus differences in how they process sights, sounds, and other sensory input. The research suggests that sensory challenges might be a key reason why some autistic children struggle with eating. Before trying to help with feeding issues, it's important to understand each child's sensory needs and create calm, quiet environments for mealtimes.

Summary by AutismInsights from published abstract.

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Researchers studied eating problems in rats with autism-like traits. These rats ate less food and gained weight more slowly than typical rats. When hungry, their brains didn't respond normally - the usual signals that tell the body 'I'm hungry, I need food' weren't working properly. This suggests that eating difficulties in autism might not just be about food preferences, but also problems with how the brain processes hunger signals.

Summary by AutismInsights from published abstract.

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Many autistic children have severe eating difficulties called ARFID, which can seriously affect their health. The main reason appears to be sensitivity to food textures, tastes, or smells. Some children also avoid foods due to fears or simply lack interest in eating. Behavioral therapy approaches show promise for helping these children. However, more research is needed to understand how common ARFID is in autism and develop better treatments.

Summary by AutismInsights from published abstract.

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A young autistic man was hospitalized because his very limited eating caused dangerous health problems. His restrictive diet led to severe vitamin deficiencies that made his blood counts drop to dangerous levels. He needed blood transfusions and vitamin supplements to recover. This shows how important it is to address eating difficulties in autistic people before they become serious health problems.

Summary by AutismInsights from published abstract.

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This Australian study of 247 people found that autistic people don't have different gut bacteria because of their autism itself. Instead, autistic people often have restricted food preferences, which leads to less variety in their diet. This limited diet then affects their gut bacteria and bowel movements. The research suggests that gut bacteria differences in autism are likely due to food choices, not autism directly causing gut problems.

Summary by AutismInsights from published abstract.

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This article discusses research showing that eating habits affect gut bacteria in autistic people. Many autistic people have restricted diets, eating only certain foods. This research found that having a limited diet changes the types of bacteria in the gut more than scientists previously thought. This is important because it might explain some of the gut bacteria differences seen in autism studies.

Summary by AutismInsights from published abstract.