Narratives of mothers of children with autism spectrum disorders: focus on eating behavior

Trends Psychiatry Psychother. 2017 Jul-Sep;39(3):180-187. doi: 10.1590/2237-6089-2017-0004.

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the eating behavior of individuals with autism through their mothers' narratives.

Methods: The study of narratives was used to report on the narrators' experiences. Data on the eating habits of individuals with autism were collected using semi-structured interviews held individually with the mothers. The interviews were recorded, transcribed and codified using the NVivo software program.

Results: Eighteen mothers of boys/young men with autism participated in the study. Analysis yielded three major categories: eating patterns, the family's attitudes to the child's eating habits, and food-related behavior.

Conclusion: Results show that autism-related factors may affect the child's food choices. Environmental factors, particularly the parents' behavior, may also play a decisive role, both in reinforcing the child's food choices and in encouraging a healthier and more diversified diet. Professionals should instruct parents regarding their decisive role in reinforcing or discouraging inappropriate mealtime behavior in children with autism.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Attitude to Health
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder / complications
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder / psychology*
  • Child
  • Child Behavior
  • Child, Preschool
  • Feeding Behavior*
  • Feeding and Eating Disorders / complications
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Interviews as Topic
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mothers
  • Narration
  • Young Adult