Sensory Processing Dysfunction and Mealtime Behavior Problems in Children With Autism. 2021

Prahbhjot Malhi, and Surya Saini, and Bhavneet Bharti, and Savita Attri, and Naveen Sankhyan
Department of Pediatrics, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh. Correspondence to: Dr Prahbhjot Malhi, Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh 160 012. pmalhi18@hotmail.com.

OBJECTIVE To compare sensory processing and mealtime problem behaviors among children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and typically developing controls, and to examine the relationship between atypical sensory processing and eating problems in children with ASD. METHODS 50 children (4-10 years) with a diagnosis of ASD as per DSM-5 were recruited from the pediatric psychology clinic of a tertiary care center in India. The Brief Assessment of Mealtime Behavior in Children (BAMBIC) and the Short Sensory Profile (SSP) were administered to measure feeding and sensory processing problems, respectively. Parents were interviewed about their child's dietary intake using a 3-day dietary recall. RESULTS The ASD group showed greater mealtime behavior problems than the control group and had significantly higher total scores on the BAMBIC (P<0.001), and on two of the three subscales including food refusal (P<0.001) and disruptive behavior (P<0.001). The ASD group, relative to the neurotypical children, showed atypical response on majority of the subscales of the short sensory profile including tactile sensitivity (P<0.001), taste sensitivity (P<0.001), movement sensitivity (P<0.001), under responsiveness (P<0.001), auditory filtering (P<0.001), low weak/energy (P=0.02), and visual/auditory sensitivity (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS The study underscores the need for detailed evaluation of sensory processing and feeding problems of children with ASD so that the interventions can be tailored to address their unique sensory characteristics.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D010465 Perception The process by which the nature and meaning of sensory stimuli are recognized and interpreted. Sensory Processing,Processing, Sensory
D002648 Child A person 6 to 12 years of age. An individual 2 to 5 years old is CHILD, PRESCHOOL. Children
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000066553 Problem Behavior Troublesome or disruptive behavioral displays. Behavioral Problem,Disruptive Behavior,Dysfunctional Behavior, Psychology,Behavior, Disruptive,Behavior, Problem,Behavior, Psychology Dysfunctional,Behavioral Problems,Behaviors, Disruptive,Behaviors, Problem,Behaviors, Psychology Dysfunctional,Disruptive Behaviors,Dysfunctional Behaviors, Psychology,Problem Behaviors,Problem, Behavioral,Problems, Behavioral,Psychology Dysfunctional Behavior,Psychology Dysfunctional Behaviors
D000067877 Autism Spectrum Disorder Wide continuum of associated cognitive and neurobehavioral disorders, including, but not limited to, three core-defining features: impairments in socialization, impairments in verbal and nonverbal communication, and restricted and repetitive patterns of behaviors. (from DSM-V) Autistic Spectrum Disorder,Autism Spectrum Disorders,Autistic Spectrum Disorders,Disorder, Autistic Spectrum
D001321 Autistic Disorder A disorder beginning in childhood. It is marked by the presence of markedly abnormal or impaired development in social interaction and communication and a markedly restricted repertoire of activity and interest. Manifestations of the disorder vary greatly depending on the developmental level and chronological age of the individual. (DSM-V) Autism, Infantile,Kanner's Syndrome,Autism,Autism, Early Infantile,Disorder, Autistic,Disorders, Autistic,Early Infantile Autism,Infantile Autism,Infantile Autism, Early,Kanner Syndrome,Kanners Syndrome
D062407 Meals A portion of the food eaten for the day, usually at regular occasions during the day. Dinner,Dinner Time,Mealtimes,Dinnertime,Meal Time,Meal Times,Mealtime,Supper,Dinner Times,Dinners,Dinnertimes,Meal,Suppers,Time, Dinner,Time, Meal,Times, Dinner,Times, Meal

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