Food Selectivity: Causes & Consequences in Children with Autism

12-Month Subscription

Unlimited access to:

Thousands of CE Courses
Patient Education
Home Exercise Program
And more

Subscribe Now

First Chapter Free Buy Course

Food selectivity is a common problem in children with developmental disabilities and particularly in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Understanding the causes and consequences of food selectivity can help feeding clinicians develop a client-centered treatment plan to address the unique needs of these children. This course will provide current knowledge regarding how and why food selectivity develops. In addition, the potential consequences of food selectivity will be outlined. This information will serve as the foundation for the development of an effective and evidenced based food selectivity treatment plan. This is part one in a series of four on Food Selectivity.

Meet your instructor

Michelle Suarez

Michelle Suarez is an Associate Professor in the Occupational Therapy department at Western Michigan University (WMU). She received her Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy (OT) from Eastern Michigan University and her PhD in Interdisciplinary Health Science from Western Michigan University. In her role as professor, she…

Read full bio

Chapters & learning objectives

1. Food Selectivity and The Consequences

This chapter will define food selectivity and describe several key components of this disorder. In addition, the prevalence of food selectivity in both children who are typically developing and in those with developmental disabilities will be described. Finally, information about the potential consequences of food selectivity will highlight the importance of identifying children who would benefit from food selectivity treatment.

2. Causes of Food Selectivity

In this chapter, factors that contribute to food selectivity will be discussed. These factors include sensory processing disorder, restricted and repetitive behaviors, gastro intestinal issues and oral motor challenges. This information will provide the foundation for the development of the food selectivity treatment plan.

More courses in this series