Dietary Patterns of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Study Based in Dhaka City

Abstract

Autism Syndrome Disorders (ASD) is better known as “spectrum condition” that affects individuals differently and to varying degrees. Some of the behaviors associated with autism include delayed learning of language; difficulty making eye contact or holding a conversation; difficulty with executive functioning, which relates to reasoning and planning; narrow, intense interests; poor motor skills’ and sensory sensitivities. Food selectivity is more commonly reported in children with developmental disabilities than in typically developing children, particularly in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Parental and anecdotal clinical reports as well as a few research studies have suggested that children with ASDs have unusual eating habits. The main purpose of the study is to explore the need for special food intake pattern that may affect ASD’s life and its associated factors that can be barrier to raise ASD children with the part of the society. The study was performed in two schools located in Dhaka city in children aged between 5 to 16 years of age. The study was a cross-sectional descriptive design using quantitative method. A semi-structured questionnaire was used for face to face interview of the mothers or caregivers of 52 children. According to this study, most of the children (56%) did not communicate or socially interact with others but in contrary to various studies. Moreover, equal percentage (50%) of children make eye contact while talking or intercting. This study showed that as their age increases the children did not like to socially interact. A positive sign that this study data showed that these children liked to eat at regular interval (73%)  and most of the children liked to eat home made food (83%) rather than store brought food. The study also found that most of the children like to have hot food and this number is high in children from nuclear families and a signification relationship (p value 0.058) was found between them. As food always have impact on human life so it is crucial to get more information on food habit of these children. It is quite necessary to educate both parents and caregivers on food intake pattern of these children to make their life easier and help these children to live a better life like others.