Sensory sensitivity and food selectivity in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD): outlines for food therapy
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.58951/dataset.2023.64Keywords:
Autism, Eating Behavior, Food Chaining, Food Therapy, NutritionAbstract
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurological condition that affects the development of communication, social, and behavior and can influence the child’s relationship with food. Many autistic children have food selectivity, i.e., restricted preferences concerning their consumed foods. In addition, they may be hyper- or hyporeactive to sensory stimuli related to food, influencing their ability to try and tolerate different foods. An individualized and adapted approach, considering sensory preferences, routines, communication skills, and nutritional needs, is essential for autistic children to have an adequate and healthy diet. Therefore, treatment involves recreational activities, a multidisciplinary team, and parental cooperation.
References
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.). American Psychiatric Publishing. Arlington, VA. 992 p.
Białek-Dratwa, A., Szymańska, D., Grajek, M., Krupa-Kotara, K., Szczepańska, E., & Kowalski, O. (2022). ARFID—Strategies for Dietary Management in Children. Nutrients, 14(9), 1739. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14091739
Boukhris, T., Sheehy, O., Mottron, L., & Berard, A. (2016). Antidepressant use during pregnancy and the risk of autism spectrum disorder in children. JAMA Pediatrics, 170(2), 117–124. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapediatrics.2015.3356
Bresciani, G., Da Lozzo, P., Lega, S., Bramuzzo, M., Di Leo, G., Dissegna, A., Colonna, V., Barbi, E., Carrozzi, M., & Devescovi, R. (2023). Gastrointestinal disorders and food selectivity: relationship with sleep and challenging behavior in children with autism spectrum disorder. Children, 10(2), 253. https://doi.org/10.3390/children10020253
Bührer, C., Endesfelder, S., Scheuer, T., & Schmitz, T. (2021). Paracetamol (Acetaminophen) and the developing brain. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 22(20), 11156. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms222011156
Chehade, M., Meyer, R., & Beauregard, A. (2019). Feeding difficulties in children with non–IgE-mediated food allergic gastrointestinal disorders. Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, 122(6), 603–609. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anai.2019.03.020
Chistol, L. T., Bandini, L. G., Must, A., Phillips, S., Cermak, S. A., & Curtin, C. (2018). Sensory sensitivity and food selectivity in children with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 48(2), 583–591. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-017-3340-9
Christensen, J., Grnøborg, T. K., Srøensen, M. J., Schendel, D., Parner, E. T., Pedersen, L. H., & Vestergaard, M. (2013). Prenatal valproate exposure and risk of autism spectrum disorders and childhood autism. Jama, 309(16), 1696–1703. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2013.2270
Davis, A. M., Bruce, A. S., Khasawneh, R., Schulz, T., Fox, C., & Dunn, W. (2013). Sensory processing issues in young children presenting to an outpatient feeding clinic. Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, 56(2), 156–160. https://doi.org/10.1097/MPG.0b013e3182736e19
Doreswamy, S., Bashir, A., Guarecuco, J. E., Lahori, S., Baig, A., Narra, L. R., Patel, P., & Heindl, S. E. (2020). Effects of diet, nutrition, and exercise in children with autism and autism spectrum disorder: A literature review. Cureus. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.12222
Egorova, O., Myte, R., Schneede, J., Hägglöf, B., Bölte, S., Domellöf, E., Ivars A’Roch, B., Elgh, F., Ueland, P. M., & Silfverdal, S. A. (2020). Maternal blood folate status during early pregnancy and occurrence of autism spectrum disorder in offspring: A study of 62 serum biomarkers. Molecular Autism, 11(1), 7. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13229-020-0315-z
Esposito, M., Mirizzi, P., Fadda, R., Pirollo, C., Ricciardi, O., Mazza, M., & Valenti, M. (2023). Food selectivity in children with autism: Guidelines for assessment and clinical interventions. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(6), 5092. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20065092
Ferguson, B. J., Dovgan, K., Takahashi, N., & Beversdorf, D. Q. (2019). The relationship among gastrointestinal symptoms, problem behaviors, and internalizing symptoms in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00194
Gentil-Gutiérrez, A., Cuesta-Gómez, J. L., Rodríguez-Fernández, P., & González-Bernal, J. J. (2021). Implication of the sensory environment in children with autism spectrum disorder: Perspectives from school. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(14), 7670. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18147670
Joyce, E. E., Chavarro, J. E., Rando, J., Song, A. Y., Croen, L. A., Fallin, M. D., Hertz-Picciotto, I., Schmidt, R. J., Volk, H., Newschaffer, C. J., & Lyall, K. (2022). Prenatal exposure to pesticide residues in the diet in association with child autism-related traits: Results from the EARLI study. Autism Research, 15(5), 957–970. https://doi.org/10.1002/aur.2698
Lane, A. E., Geraghty, M. E., Young, G. S., & Rostorfer, J. L. (2014). Problem eating behaviors in autism spectrum disorder are associated with suboptimal daily nutrient intake and taste/smell sensitivity. ICAN: Infant, Child, & Adolescent Nutrition, 6(3), 172–180. https://doi.org/10.1177/1941406414523981
Lázaro, C. P., & Pondé, M. P. (2017). Narratives of mothers of children with autism spectrum disorders: focus on eating behavior. Trends in Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, 39(3), 4–11. https://doi.org/10.1590/2237-6089-2017-0004
Lefter, R., Ciobica, A., Timofte, D., Stanciu, C., & Trifan, A. (2020). A descriptive review on the prevalence of gastrointestinal disturbances and their multiple associations in autism spectrum disorder. Medicina (Lithuania), 56(1), 11. https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina56010011
Li, Y. M., Shen, Y. D., Li, Y. J., Xun, G. L., Liu, H., Wu, R. R., Xia, K., Zhao, J. P., & Ou, J. J. (2018). Maternal dietary patterns, supplements intake and autism spectrum disorders: A preliminary case-control study. Medicine (United States), 97(52), e13902. https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000013902
Liu, X., Zou, M., Sun, C., Wu, L., & Chen, W. X. (2022). Prenatal folic acid supplements and offspring’s autism spectrum disorder: a meta-analysis and meta-regression. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 52(2), 522–539. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-021-04951-8
Maenner, M. J., Warren, Z., Williams, A. R., Amoakohene, E., Bakian, A. V., Bilder, D. A., Durkin, M. S., Fitzgerald, R. T., Furnier, S. M., Hughes, M. M., Ladd-Acosta, C. M., McArthur, D., Pas, E. T., Salinas, A., Vehorn, A., Williams, S., Esler, A., Grzybowski, A., Hall-Lande, J., … Shaw, K. A. (2023). Prevalence and characteristics of autism spectrum disorder among children aged 8 years - autism and developmental disabilities monitoring network, 11 sites, United States, 2020. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. Surveillance Summaries (Washington, D.C. : 2002), 72(2), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.ss7202a1
Maia, F. A., Almeida, M. T. C., Alves, M. R., Bandeira, L. V. S., Silva, V. B. D., Nunes, N. F., Cardoso, L. C. G., & Silveira, M. F. (2018). Transtorno do espectro do autismo e idade dos genitores: estudo de caso-controle no Brasil [Autism spectrum disorder and parents' age: a case-control study in Brazil]. Cadernos de Saúde Pública, 34(8), e00109917. https://doi.org/10.1590/0102-311X00109917
Margari, L., Marzulli, L., Gabellone, A., & de Giambattista, C. (2020). Eating and mealtime behaviors in patients with autism spectrum disorder: Current perspectives. Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment, 16, 2083–2102. https://doi.org/10.2147/NDT.S224779
Mendive Dubourdieu, P., & Guerendiain, M. (2022). Dietary intake, nutritional status and sensory profile in children with autism spectrum disorder and typical development. Nutrients, 14(10), 2155. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14102155
Molina-López, J., Leiva-García, B., Planells, E., & Planells, P. (2021). Food selectivity, nutritional inadequacies, and mealtime behavioral problems in children with autism spectrum disorder compared to neurotypical children. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 54(12), 2155–2166. https://doi.org/10.1002/eat.23631
Oliveira, P. L. de, & Souza, A. P. R. de. (2022). Terapia com base em integração sensorial em um caso de Transtorno do Espectro Autista com seletividade alimentar. Cadernos Brasileiros de Terapia Ocupacional, 30. https://doi.org/10.1590/2526-8910.ctore21372824
Plaza-Diaz, J., Flores-Rojas, K., de la Torre-Aguilar, M. J., Gomez-Fernández, A. R., Martín-Borreguero, P., Perez-Navero, J. L., Gil, A., & Gil-Campos, M. (2021). Dietary patterns, eating behavior, and nutrient intakes of Spanish preschool children with autism spectrum disorders. Nutrients, 13(10), 3551. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13103551
Reche-Olmedo, L., Torres-Collado, L., Compañ-Gabucio, L. M., & Garcia-De-la-hera, M. (2021). The role of occupational therapy in managing food selectivity of children with autism spectrum disorder: A scoping review. Children, 8(11), 1024. https://doi.org/10.3390/children8111024
Ristori, M. V., Quagliariello, A., Reddel, S., Ianiro, G., Vicari, S., Gasbarrini, A., & Putignani, L. (2019). Autism, gastrointestinal symptoms and modulation of gut microbiota by nutritional interventions. Nutrients, 11(11), 2812. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu11112812
Sandin, S., Lichtenstein, P., Kuja-Halkola, R., Larsson, H., Hultman, C. M., & Reichenberg, A. (2014). The familial risk of autism. Jama, 311(17), 1770–1777. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2014.4144
Schieve, L. A., Tian, L. H., Drews-Botsch, C., Windham, G. C., Newschaffer, C., Daniels, J. L., Lee, L. C., Croen, L. A., & Danielle Fallin, M. (2018). Autism spectrum disorder and birth spacing: Findings from the study to explore early development (SEED). Autism Research, 11(1), 81–94. https://doi.org/10.1002/aur.1887
Şengüzel, S., Cebeci, A. N., Ekici, B., Gönen, İ., & Tatlı, B. (2021). Impact of eating habits and nutritional status on children with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Taibah University Medical Sciences, 16(3), 413–421. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtumed.2020.11.010
Thapar, A., & Rutter, M. (2021). Genetic advances in autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 51(12), 4321–4332. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-020-04685-z
Thompson, K., Wallisch, A., Nowell, S., Meredith, J., & Boyd, B. (2023). Short report: The role of oral hypersensitivity in feeding behaviors of young autistic children. Autism, 27(4), 1157–1162. https://doi.org/10.1177/13623613221135091
Valenzuela-Zamora, A. F., Ramírez-Valenzuela, D. G., & Ramos-Jiménez, A. (2022). Food selectivity and its implications associated with gastrointestinal disorders in children with autism spectrum disorders. Nutrients, 14(13), 2660. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14132660
Veiby, G., Daltveit, A. K., Schjølberg, S., Stoltenberg, C., Øyen, A. S., Vollset, S. E., Engelsen, B. A., & Gilhus, N. E. (2013). Exposure to antiepileptic drugs in utero and child development: A prospective population-based study. Epilepsia, 54(8), 1462–1472. https://doi.org/10.1111/epi.12226
Vela, G., Stark, P., Socha, M., Sauer, A. K., Hagmeyer, S., & Grabrucker, A. M. (2015). Zinc in gut-brain interaction in autism and neurological disorders. Neural Plasticity, 2015, 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/972791
Wang, C., Geng, H., Liu, W., & Zhang, G. (2017). Prenatal, perinatal, and postnatal factors associated with autism: A meta-analysis. Medicine (United States), 96(18), e6696. https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000006696
Werling, D. M. (2016). The role of sex-differential biology in risk for autism spectrum disorder. Biology of Sex Differences, 7(1), 58. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13293-016-0112-8
Zobel-Lachiusa, J., Andrianopoulos, M. V., Mailloux, Z., & Cermak, S. A. (2015). Sensory differences and mealtime behavior in children with autism. The American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 69(5), 6905185050p1-6905185050p8. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2015.016790
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2023 Bárbara Ellen Justino Sabatini, Daniele Cobus, Vivian Cristina Ito
![Creative Commons License](http://i.creativecommons.org/l/by/4.0/88x31.png)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
This journal publishes its Open Access articles under a Creative Commons license (CC BY 4.0).
You are free to:
Share — copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format for any purpose, even commercially.
Adapt — remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially.
The licensor cannot revoke these freedoms as long as you follow the license terms.
Under the following terms:
Attribution — You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use.
No additional restrictions — You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits.
Notices:
You do not have to comply with the license for elements of the material in the public domain or where your use is permitted by an applicable exception or limitation.
No warranties are given. The license may not give you all of the permissions necessary for your intended use. For example, other rights such as publicity, privacy, or moral rights may limit how you use the material.