Finicky eating habits may be an early sign of autism in little children, says a new study
Abnormal eating behaviors may be a sign that the child should be screened for autism, according to a new study from Penn State College of Medicine. The behaviour includes very limited food choices, hypersensitivity to food texture or temperatures, and pocketing food without swallowing. Such action is a symptom of autism in a child, the study suggests.
Such behaviors are present in many 1-year-olds with autism and could be signal for doctors and parents that a child may have autism.
Research by Susan Mayes, professor of psychiatry, found that atypical eating behaviors were present in 70% of children with autism, which is 15 times more common than in neurotypical children.
“If a primary care provider hears about these behaviors from parents, they should consider referring the child for an autism screening,” Mayes said.
Mayes said that the earlier autism is diagnosed, the sooner the child can begin treatment with a behavior analyst. Previous studies have shown applied behavior analysis to be most effective if implemented during the preschool years. Behavior analysts use a number of interventions, including rewards, to make positive changes in the children’s behavior and teach a range of needed skills.
Unusual eating habits may be a new indicator for autism
Keith Williams, director of the Feeding Program at Penn State Children’s Hospital, said, “Identifying and correcting these behaviors can help ensure children are eating a proper diet. There is a distinct difference between worrisome eating behaviors and the typical picky eating habits of young children. Most children without special needs will slowly add foods to their diets during development, but children with autism spectrum disorders, without intervention, will often remain selective eaters.”
The study data shows that atypical eating behaviours may help diagnostically distinguish autism from other disorders. Even though children from both groups have unusual eating habits, they are seven times more common in autism than in other disorders, according to the study data.
“This study provided further evidence that these unusual feeding behaviors are the rule and not the exception for children with autism,” said Williams.
