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Feeding Problems, Gastrointestinal Symptoms, Challenging Behavior and Sensory Issues in Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder

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Abstract

Frequency of feeding problems, gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, challenging behavior, sensory problems and comorbid psychopathology were assessed using the following questionnaires: Screening Tool for Feeding Problems for Children, GI Symptoms Inventory, Behavior Problems Inventory Short Form, Short Sensory Profile, and Autism Spectrum Disorder-Comorbidity Child (ASD-CC) in 136 children and adolescents with ASD. Eighty-four percent had food selectivity, followed by food refusal (78.7%), rapid eating (76.5%), chewing problems (60.3%), food stealing (49.3%) and vomiting (19.1%). Higher rates of GI symptoms, challenging behavior, and sensory issues were found in those who presented with rapid eating, food refusal and food stealing than those without these problems. Comorbid psychopathology predicted rapid eating, food selectivity and food refusal.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Irish Centre for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Research (ICAN), School of Psychology, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland

    Geraldine Leader, Elaine Tuohy & Arlene Mannion

  2. Department of Special Education, Faculty of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China

    June L. Chen

  3. Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, 70803, USA

    Shawn P. Gilroy

Authors
  1. Geraldine Leader
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  2. Elaine Tuohy
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  3. June L. Chen
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  4. Arlene Mannion
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  5. Shawn P. Gilroy
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Contributions

GL conceived of the study, participated in its design and coordination and drafted the manuscript. ET participated in the design and coordination of the study, performed the measurement and drafted an initial draft of the manuscript. JLC participated in the design of the study and assisted with the statistical analysis. AM conceived of the study, participated in its design and coordination and assisted in the drafting of the manuscript. SPG assisted in the drafting of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Geraldine Leader.

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All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of National University of Ireland Galway and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

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Leader, G., Tuohy, E., Chen, J.L. et al. Feeding Problems, Gastrointestinal Symptoms, Challenging Behavior and Sensory Issues in Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Autism Dev Disord 50, 1401–1410 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-019-04357-7

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