1. Objectifs

Intentions :
«[T]he objectives of this study were to 1) determine whether children with ASD have more mealtime problems than their typically developing siblings, 2) describe the nature of these problems in children with ASD and their siblings and 3) explore whether age and sex are associated with eating problems.» (p. 15)

2. Méthode

Échantillon/Matériau :
«Forty-eight families participated in this cross sectional study by completing a questionnaire (Eating Profile) for their child with ASD, 3 to 12 years of age.» (p. 98) «They were registered in one of four local rehabilitation centers, one tertiary paediatric hospital or one of two parent associations in Quebec, Canada.» (p. 100)

Instruments :
Questionnaires

Type de traitement des données :
Analyse statistique

3. Résumé

«Many children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) have mealtime problems. Diagnosis and the social environment may influence eating behaviours. We examined whether children with ASD have more mealtime problems than their typically developing siblings, and whether age and sex are associated with mealtime problems. [...] A second Eating Profile was completed for the sibling nearest in age without ASD. Children with ASD had a mean of 13.3 eating problems, with lack of food variety predominating. Siblings had 5.0 problems. Children with ASD had more eating problems as infants. Older children tended to have fewer problems than younger children. This study points to the importance of screening for mealtime problems. Children with ASD had significantly more mealtime problems than their sibling living in the same social environment.» (p. 98) «Children with ASD had more problems related to eating or mealtimes than their siblings.The proportion of children having an eating problem and their impact on the family routine was more pronounced in the children with ASD than their siblings. [...] Many of the environmental factors of the family were controlled, by using typically developing siblings from the same family, thereby showing that the impact of the diagnosis is greater than that of the home environment.» (p. 108-109)