A Study on Problematic Feeding Functions in Children with Autistic Spectrum

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  • 自閉症スペクトラム児における摂食機能の問題についての検討

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Abstract

<p>This study evaluated the eating and swallowing functions and manners of 54 children (44 boys and 10 girls, mean age 5.6 years) with autistic spectrum (ASD) diagnosed by a pediatrician and who had been attended the learning facility at Regional Rehabilitation Centers for Children with Disabilities for more than 1 year and received feeding service, with the following results:</p><p>1. As for the eating/swallowing functions, the swallowing function was successfully acquired by all children examined but the food-trapping/masticating functions failed to be acquired by about 20% of them.</p><p>2. As for the eating/swallowing function in relation to intellectual development, differences were observed according to the level of intellectual retardation, and a significant difference was observed between mild and moderate growth disorders (p＜0.05) as well as mild and severe growth disorders (p＜0.01).</p><p>3. Concerning the eating manners, food-cramming, whole-swallowing or washing-down habit was habitually observed in about 20% of the children examined, but almost no episodes of piling food were observed in any of them.</p><p>4. Washing-down and food-cramming habits were observed less often in older children, that is, those who have received medial care for a longer period, with no significant difference.</p><p>These results revealed that the food-trapping/masticating functions are more closely related to the level of intellectual development than the child's age, suggesting difficulty in acquiring feeding functions. Some differences were noted in the washing-down and food-cramming habits according to the remedial period, suggesting that repeated instructions in the remedial practice may help to encourage improved eating manners.</p><p>It was also revealed that washing-down and food-cramming habits are closely related to the child's medical care period, suggesting that repeated instructions are effective in medical care.</p><p>The possible relationship between characteristic symptoms of ASD such as deviated sensation and unbalanced diet with feeding functions or manner remains to be examined in future.</p>

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