Last posting: What are 4 key take home treatment strategies that SLPs and OTs can apply given the literature and discussion you provided on your blog? What is the rationale for each of these take home strategies?
Take home strategies:
1. Be aware that GI symptoms may be seen in unusual ways like sleep problems, behavioral issues, and if sensory strategies aren’t working. Do not ignore these but recommend a thorough evaluation from a MD that is familiar with GI issues in autism. (Buie 2010)
2. Remember that if GI issues are found and treated medically, a behavior program may still need to be used to increase food selections and food intake. (Ledford 2006) There are protocols to follow and professionals to help do this process slowly. Encourage professional help if planning to eliminate a food source to look at the blood work and help with potential nutritional deficiencies.
3. Use the Brief Autism Mealtime Behavior Inventory as a way to increase awareness in feeding issues. (Lukens 2005) Be aware of the “escape extinction” in which parents encourage behavior issues (not intentionally)(Kodak 2008).
4. Incorporate food play to help with hypersensitivities for someone that is refusing or selecting food choices.
• Food Play-– Sensory exploration of foods outside of mealtime to develop tolerance for appearance, textures, smells or tastes
• Food Chaining- – Systematic presentation of foods that have similar properties to preferred foods (Autism Programs at CDD)
Autism Programs at the CDD, HSC, UNM
Center For Development and Disability
2300 Menaul Blvd, SE,
Albuquerque, NM 87107
Buie, T., Fuchs, G., Furuta, G.T., Kooros, K., Levy, J., Lewis, J., Wershill, B., Winter, H., (2010) Recommendatins for evaluatin and treatment of common gastrointestinal problems in children with ASDs, Pediatrics 125, S19-S29
Kodak, T., Piazza, C., (2008) Assessment and Behavioral Treatment of Feeding and Sleeping Disorders in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America 17: 887-905
Ledford, J., Gast, D. (2006) Feeding Problems in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Review, Focus on Autism and other Developmental Disabilities 21:3 153-166
Lukens, C. (2005) Development and validation of an inventory to assess eating and mealtime behavior problems in children with autism Dissertation Ohio State University http://etd.ohiolink.edu/view.cgi/Lukens%20Colleen.pdf?osu1127133704 The Brief Autism Mealtime Behavior Inventory is on page 87 of 108
