The Impact of Autism Spectrum Disorders and Eating Challenges on Family Mealtimes

Abstract

Feeding disorders are prevalent in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and can have a profound impact on family mealtimes. Mothers of 6 children with ASD were interviewed to explore family mealtime experiences. Narrative and thematic analysis were used. Analysis discovered varying mealtime practices across participants; however, similarities were evident across all families. Mealtimes were important to all families, but challenging to construct, often involving exhaustive work by the mother. Nutrition was a high priority for all and mothers detailed the battle with “healthy food” intake for their child with ASD, as the child displayed atypical food preferences, food selectivity, and disruptive mealtime behaviors. Four core themes emerged as mother’s narrated typical mealtimes in their households: (a) Eating Together, (b) Adapted Mealtime Routines, (c) Constructing Mealtimes Alone, and (d) No Longer Just a Sibling. An overwhelming similarity among mothers was the experience of stress surrounding aspects of mealtime that was interwoven throughout the 4 themes.