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Mothers’ Challenges in Feeding their Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder—Managing More Than Just Picky Eating

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Abstract

Mothers’ perspectives of the processes involved in addressing the feeding challenges of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) were explored qualitatively. The research question was: What is the process of mothers’ feeding their children with an ASD who have feeding challenges, and specifically what is the nature of these challenges? Data were from semi-structured interviews with 11 mothers of 12 children with ASD ranging from 4–11 years. This grounded theory study used constant comparative analysis in developing categories to define the processes mothers used in understanding and then meeting the feeding needs of their children with ASD. Four feeding processes emerged from the analysis. 1) recognizing the feeding challenges, 2) defining the underlying nature of the feeding challenges, 3) seeking support for and validation of the feeding challenges, and 4) staging their approach. The feeding challenges had three different patterns of onset and went beyond typical picky eating behaviors.

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Acknowledgements

Sincere thanks to the participants for their insight, enthusiasm and willingness to share their experiences. We acknowledge Dr. Lonnie Zwaigenbaum’s guidance as a member of the first author’s graduate committee and his dedication to children and families impacted by autism. Funding acknowledgments: Canadian Institutes of Health Research Autism Research Training Program, Margaret Brine Scholarship, Canadian Occupational Therapy Foundation Invacare Master’s Scholarship, Gauk-Westfield Award, and Alberta Advanced Education Award.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

    Laura G. Rogers & Gwen R. Rempel

  2. Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, Department of Occupational Therapy, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

    Joyce Magill-Evans

  3. Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

    Gwen R. Rempel

  4. Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

    Laura G. Rogers

  5. University of Alberta, 6-10 University Terrace, 8303-112 St, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2T4, Canada

    Laura G. Rogers

Authors
  1. Laura G. Rogers
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  2. Joyce Magill-Evans
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  3. Gwen R. Rempel
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Laura G. Rogers.

Interview Guide

Interview Guide

  1. 1.

    Tell me about your child (age, influence of ASD).

  2. 2.

    Tell me a bit about your family (siblings, who lives in home).

  3. 3.

    Does your child have any particular medical concerns that affect feeding?

  4. 4.

    Do you have any concerns about your child’s weight?

  5. 5.

    Tell me about feeding your child right now.

    Specific feeding challenges; particular about specific food groups, brands of foods, food presentation;

    • Eating in certain environments (friends/ relatives’ homes, preschool/daycare, school)

    • Special occasions/ cultural celebrations

    • Meal and snack routine or graze throughout the day

    • Any supplements (vitamins, supplements, Pediasure )

    • Does meeting your child’s feeding needs and nutritional needs cause any significant financial challenges for your family?

  6. 6.

    When did these challenges start?

  7. 7.

    Tell me about your child’s feeding as an infant. Transitions from breast to bottle, bottle to cup, to purees, to lumpy solids, to finger foods, to utensils.

  8. 8.

    Tell me about your child at the following ages: 2, 3, 4, (and other ages if older).

    As issues arose asked:

    • What did you do to try to make things easier? What did you try first?

    • What strategies worked? Who suggested the strategies?

    • How did you make your choices?

    • Were the strategies offered by others helpful?

  9. 9.

    Was there an age when things got worse? What do you think contributed to this? What else was happening in your lives at the time?

  10. 10.

    Was there an age where things became easier?

  11. 11.

    What are the strategies you currently use to feed your child?

  12. 12.

    Do you feel that through these strategies your child has adequate nutrition?

  13. 13.

    Is there anything else that you would like to tell me about your child’s feeding?

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Rogers, L.G., Magill-Evans, J. & Rempel, G.R. Mothers’ Challenges in Feeding their Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder—Managing More Than Just Picky Eating. J Dev Phys Disabil 24, 19–33 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10882-011-9252-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10882-011-9252-2

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