Food Refusal and Avoidant Eating in Children, Including Those with Autism Spectrum Conditions : A Practical Guide for Parents and Professionals

"Many children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) have a restricted dietary range, and this book provides parents with advice and training on how to deal with this condition and achieve a healthier and more balanced diet. Now described as Avoidant or Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID), it is due to sensory hypersensitivity, and it can impact upon the health of the child, upon the family, and upon social integration. Based upon successful training packages the authors provide for parents and professionals, this book enables the reader to understand the condition and work with it, gradually increasing the range of food a child is able to eat. It includes 'box outs' with case studies, points of interest and action points to make this an accessible and resourceful read"--Back cover. Many autistic children have a restricted dietary range, and this book provides parents with advice and training on how to support them to achieve a healthier and more balanced diet. Now described as Avoidant or Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID), it is due to sensory hypersensitivity, and it can impact the child's health, their family life, and their social life.Based on successful training packages the authors provide for parents and professionals, this book enables the reader to understand restrictive eating and work with children, gradually increasing the range of food a child is able to eat. It includes'box outs'with case studies, points of interest and action points to make this an accessible read full of tips and strategies. The early stages Neophobia : the onset of the fear of new and different foods Sensory factors and how these affect food acceptance The disgust response and the development of avoidant eating Appetite and appetite regulation What is avoidant and restrictive food intake disorder? Managing the environment around the child Is the child ready to move on? What doesn't work and why Interventions with the younger child Interventions with the older child What else might be going wrong?. A guide for parents and professionals working with children with autism who have a restricted dietary range. It helps the reader to understand the behaviour and work with it, in order to gradually increase the range of food a child will eat. Informative and accessible, the book helps manage selective eating in all its manifestations