Trends in Psychiatry and Psychotherapy
https://trends.org.br/article/doi/10.1590/2237-6089-2017-0004
Trends in Psychiatry and Psychotherapy
Original Article

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

Narrativa de mães de crianças com transtorno do espectro do autismo: foco no comportamento alimentar

Cristiane P. Lázaro; Milena P. Pondé

Downloads: 0
Views: 577

Abstract

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.

Keywords

Autism spectrum, behavior problems, parents’ style, qualitative methods, eating and feeding disorders

Resumo

Resumo Objetivo Investigar o comportamento alimentar de indivíduos com transtorno do espectro do autismo (TEA) através das narrativas de suas mães. Métodos Os dados sobre os hábitos alimentares dos indivíduos com TEA foram coletados utilizando entrevistas semiestruturadas realizadas individualmente com as mães. As entrevistas foram gravadas, transcritas e codificadas usando o programa NVivo. Resultados Dezoito mães de meninos/jovens homens com autismo participaram do estudo. A análise produziu três categorias principais: padrões alimentares, a atitude da família em relação aos hábitos alimentares da criança e comportamentos relacionados à alimentação. Conclusão Os resultados mostram que os fatores relacionados ao autismo podem afetar as escolhas alimentares da criança. Os fatores ambientais, particularmente o comportamento dos pais, também podem desempenhar um papel decisivo, tanto no reforço das escolhas alimentares da criança quanto no incentivo a uma dieta mais saudável e diversificada. Os profissionais devem instruir os pais sobre o seu papel decisivo no reforço ou desencorajamento do comportamento inapropriado nas refeições em crianças com TEA.

Palavras-chave

Transtorno do espectro do autismo, problemas de comportamento, estilo dos pais, métodos qualitativos, transtornos alimentares

References

Narzisi A, Muratori F, Calderoni S, Fabbro F, Urgesi C. Neuropsychological profile in high functioning autism spectrum disorders. J Autism Dev Disord. 2013;43:1895-909.

Sacrey LA, Armstrong VL, Bryson SE, Zwaigenbaum L. Impairments to visual disengagement in autism spectrum disorder: a review of experimental studies from infancy to adulthood. Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2014;47:559-77.

Ranjan S, Nasser JA. Nutritional status of individuals with autism spectrum disorders: do we know enough?. Adv Nutr. 2015;6:397-407.

Cermak SA, Curtin C, Bandini LG. Food selectivity and sensory sensitivity in children with autism spectrum disorders. J Am Diet Assoc. 2010;110:238-46.

Marí-Bauset S, Zazpe I, Mari-Sanchis A, Llopis-González A, Morales-Suárez-Varela M. Food selectivity in autism spectrum disorders: a systematic review. J Child Neurol. 2014;29:1554-61.

Zobel-Lachiusa J, Andrianopoulos MV, Mailloux Z, Cermak SA. Sensory differences and mealtime behavior in children with autism. Am J Occup Ther. 2015;69:6905185050.

Ledford JR, Gast DL. Feeding problems in children with autism spectrum disorders: a review. Focus Autism Other Dev Disabl. 2006;21:153-66.

Sharp WG, Jaquess DL, Morton JF, Herzinger CV. Pediatric feeding disorders: a quantitative synthesis of treatment outcomes. Clin Child Fam Psychol Rev. 2010;13:348-65.

Pondé MP, Rousseau C. Immigrant children with autism spectrum disorder: the relationship between the perspective of the professionals and the parents point of view. J Can Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2013;22:131-8.

Rogers LG, Magill-Evans J, Rempel GR. Mothers’ challenges in feeding their children with autism spectrum disorder - managing more than just picky eating. J Dev Phys Disabil. 2012;24:19-33.

Suarez MA, Atchison BJ, Lagerwey M. Phenomenological examination of the mealtime experience for mothers of children with autism and food selectivity. Am J Occup Ther. 2014;68:102-7.

Curtin C, Hubbard K, Anderson SE, Mick E, Must A, Bandini LG. Food selectivity, mealtime behavior problems, spousal stress, and family food choices in children with and without autism spectrum disorder. J Autism Dev Disord. 2015;45:3308-15.

Machado Junior SB, Celestino MI, Serra JP, Caron J, Pondé MP. Risk and protective factors for symptoms of anxiety and depression in parents of children with autism spectrum disorder. Dev Neurorehabil. 2016;19:146-53.

Barker ET, Hartley SL, Seltzer MM, Floyd FJ, Greenberg JS, Orsmond GI. Trajectories of emotional well-being in mothers of adolescents and adults with autism. Dev Psychol. 2011;47:551-61.

Davis NO, Carter AS. Parenting stress in mothers and fathers of toddlers with autism spectrum disorders: associations with child characteristics. J Autism Dev Disord. 2008;38:1278-91.

Greenberg JS, Seltzer MM, Hong J, Orsmond GI. Bidirectional effects of expressed emotion and behavior problems and symptoms in adolescents and adults with autism. Am J Ment Retard. 2006;111:229-49.

Creswell JW. Qualitative inquiry & research design: choosing among five approaches. 2012.

Gibbs G. Análise de dados qualitativos. 2009.

Al-Farsi YM, Al-Sharbati MM, Waly MI, Al-Farsi OA, Al-Shafaee MA, Al-Khaduri MM. Effect of suboptimal breast-feeding on occurrence of autism: a case-control study. Nutrition. 2012;28:e27-32.

Diolordi L, Del Balzo V, Bernabei P, Vitiello V, Donini LM. Eating habits and dietary patterns in children with autism. Eat Weight Disord. 2014;19:295-301.

Seiverling L, Hendy HM, Williams K. The Screening Tool of Feeding Problems Applied to Children (STEPCHILD): psychometric characteristics and associations with child and parent variables. Res Dev Disabil. 2011;32:1122-9.

Hazen EP, Stornelli JL, O’Rourke JA, Koesterer K, McDougle CJ. Sensory symptoms in autism spectrum disorders. Harv Rev Psychiatry. 2014;22:112-24.

Anzman-Frasca S, Savage JS, Marini ME, Fisher JO, Birch LL. Repeated exposure and associative conditioning promote preschool children's liking of vegetables. Appetite. 2012;58:543-53.

Hendrie G, Sohonpal G, Lange K, Golley R. Change in the family food environment is associated with positive dietary change in children. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act. 2013;10:4.

Scaglioni S, Arrizza C, Vecchi F, Tedeschi S. Determinants of children's eating behavior. Am J Clin Nutr. 2011;94:2006S-11S.

Scaglioni S, Salvioni M, Galimberti C. Influence of parental attitudes in the development of children eating behaviour. Br J Nutr. 2008;99:S22-5.

Skinner JD, Carruth BR, Wendy B, Ziegler PJ. Children's food preferences: a longitudinal analysis. J Am Diet Assoc. 2002;102:1638-47.

Birch LL. Development of food preferences. Annu Rev Nutr. 1999;19:41-62.

Piven J, Chase GA, Landa R, Wzorek M, Gayle J, Cloud D. Psychiatric disorders in the parents of autistic individuals. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 1991;30:471-8.

Almansour MA, Alateeq MA, Alzahrani MK, Algeffari MA, Alhomaidan HT. Depression and anxiety among parents and caregivers of autistic spectral disorder children. Neurosciences (Riyadh). 2013;18:58-63.

Ou WX, Cha CH, Wang LH. Mental health state of parents of children with autism. Zhongguo Dang Dai Er Ke Za Zhi. 2010;12:947-9.

6169d1e1a95395560905cbd3 trends Articles
Links & Downloads

Trends Psychiatry Psychother

Share this page
Page Sections